Getting convicted of a crime you didn’t commit is a nightmare that can happen to anybody. There are many different ways it can happen, but the end result is always devastating — lives ruined, families split up, careers up in smoke, and more.
Nonprofit innocence projects have a mission to help these people who have been wrongfully convicted prove their innocence, clear their good names, and take back their lives. These missions can include legal assistance, advocacy, forensic testing, re-entry services, and more.
Like all nonprofits, innocence projects need insurance coverage to operate safely and within the scope of the law. But, because their mission work is different from other nonprofits, finding coverage that meets their unique needs can be a challenge.
So, what do nonprofit innocence projects need most from their insurance? Let’s find out.
Meet some nonprofit innocence projects insured by NIA.
We asked some NIA-insured nonprofit innocence projects to share their missions, the insurance coverages they need to meet those missions, and why they count on NIA to provide them.
Here’s what they had to say…
The Pruno Fund (Chicago, IL)
“The Pruno Fund provides re-entry services to innocent, wrongfully convicted men and women. These can include financial assistance, skills training, referrals, and a resource hub.”
— Lee Raney, Strategy & Development Director, The Pruno Fund
The Innocence Center (San Diego, CA)
“We provide pro-bono legal services to innocent incarcerated individuals.
We seek to free the innocent from prison, educate the public on the causes of wrongful conviction, and assist innocent people on their re-entry into society.”
— Michael Semanchik, Executive Director, The Innocence Center
What did these nonprofit innocence projects need most from their insurer?
An insurance provider who understands nonprofits.
“The Pruno Fund needed low-cost coverage, from an insurance provider that had a knowledge of nonprofits.”
— Lee Raney, The Pruno Fund
An assortment of coverages for a variety of needs.
“We most often need Professional Liability, Directors & Officers, and General Liability. We most recently added crime insurance due to one of our grants requiring it.”
— Michael Semanchik, The Innocence Center
How did these nonprofit innocence projects hear about NIA?
Conversations within the nonprofit network.
“The Pruno Fund learned about NIA via word of mouth.”
— Lee Raney, The Pruno Fund
A recommendation from a trusted source.
“My wife is a nonprofit formation attorney and sends clients to NIA all the time.”
— Michael Semanchik, The Innocence Center
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these nonprofit innocence projects?
Responsive, friendly staff.
“At the The Pruno Fund, we appreciate that the NIA staff is friendly and quick to respond to our questions and inquiries.”
— Lee Raney, The Pruno Fund
A responsive staff that understands nonprofits.
“We appreciate the responsiveness of NIA’s staff and their understanding of specific nonprofit needs.”
— Michael Semanchik, The Innocence Center
Nonprofit innocence projects need an insurer that keeps their mission out of lockdown.
Why do nonprofit innocence projects trust NIA to provide their insurance coverage?
It’s simple: Nonprofit innocence projects don’t give up on the people they serve — they want an insurance provider who won’t give up on them.
With NIA in your corner, you get quality insurance that’s custom-fit to your mission, resources and tools to help you succeed, and budget-conscious prices — all supported by a responsive, professional team who understands what nonprofits are all about.
After all, when you’re helping innocent people take their lives back and clear their good names, you want insurance that is with you for the long haul.
