For far too many young people, affordability can act as a barrier to accessing education and opportunities and stand in the way of a successful future.
Without access to instruments and instruction, how can a child develop a passion for playing music? If a young athlete can’t get access to coaching or sports equipment, how can they be expected to excel? When curious youngsters can’t access STEM instruction, how can they become the inventors and innovators of tomorrow?
Access shouldn’t be limited to those with financial privilege, so nonprofit scholarship foundations have a mission to level the playing field, helping provide qualified youth with access to sports, education, music and art instruction, and more.
With such an important mission, nonprofit scholarship foundations don’t want any drama when it comes to the insurance they need to operate.
So, when it comes to insurance, what matters most to these nonprofits?
Meet four nonprofit scholarship foundations.
We talked with a quartet of NIA-insured nonprofit scholarship foundations about their missions to serve the young people of their communities — and what they need most from their insurance coverage.
In their own words…
National Society of Arts and Letters (NY Chapter)
“We provide scholarships, advice, competitions, prizes, and professional support to highly talented young artists at the cusp of a promising professional career.”
— Margaret Johnson, Chapter President, NSAL New York Chapter
RAS Orchestra Foundation (Roseville, MN)
“RASOF seeks to inspire a lifelong love of music by supporting the orchestra program in Roseville Area Schools with private-lesson scholarships and funding for music enrichment opportunities in the public schools in our district.
We provide year-round scholarships that pay $25 per weekly private music lesson for orchestra students with financial need and $500 merit scholarships for students to attend summer music camp, orchestra tour, or college tuition for graduating seniors.
We also contribute funds directly to the schools’ orchestra program for special initiatives like purchasing and repairing instruments and bringing professional ensembles and musicians to perform and teach master classes to students in the district.”
— Allison Eklund, Co-Founder and Treasurer, RAS Orchestra Foundation
Solvang Danish Days Foundation (Solvang, CA)
“The Danish Days Foundation plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Danish culture in Solvang and the surrounding community.
The foundation funds scholarships for local students, fostering education and encouraging them to connect with and preserve their cultural heritage. These scholarships support academic and artistic pursuits that align with the values of community and cultural appreciation.
The foundation also invests in programs that teach the history, traditions, and values of Danish culture, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate Solvang’s heritage. This includes educational displays, cultural exhibits, and hands-on activities during the Danish Days festival.”
— Ashlee Madrid, Treasurer, Solvang Danish Days Foundation
Trajectory (Clackamas, OR)
“We broker relationships between students and industry professionals in natural resource management. Trajectory vets, coordinates, and facilitates high school instruction that connects classroom theory to practical work.
Kids collect water samples with biologists, participate in tree planting and harvesting, learn about hydraulic mechanics, and a ton of hands-on work in outdoor spaces.
We also host a scholarship dinner, providing scholarships to students entering into Forestry or a related program of study.”
— Austin Ernesti, Executive Director, Trajectory
What did these nonprofit scholarship foundations need most from their insurer?
A responsive team.
“We needed a responsive team who were eager and happy to answer questions and explain how insurance would meet our needs.”
— Margaret Johnson, NSAL New York Chapter
Comprehensive coverage at a fair price.
“We needed flexible, comprehensive, and affordable coverage for a small charity with big ambitions.”
— Allison Eklund, RAS Orchestra Foundation
An insurer that listens.
“We needed an insurance provider that listens and also provides quick service.”
— Ashlee Madrid, Solvang Danish Days Foundation
Coverage for outdoor activities.
“We let kids use chainsaws and excavators, so there have been some difficulties getting insurance. The biggest question was ‘Could you cover our activities?’”
— Austin Ernesti, Trajectory
How did these scholarship foundations hear about NIA?
From previous experience.
“I had already had experience with NIA through my own organization, LakeArts Foundation.”
— Margaret Johnson, NSAL New York Chapter
Their insurance agent.
“We found out about NIA from our insurance agent, Debbie Treadwell, at McNamara Insurance (now part of Brown & Brown).”
— Allison Eklund, RAS Orchestra Foundation
A broker’s recommendation.
“We learned about NIA from our broker.”
— Ashlee Madrid, Solvang Danish Days Foundation
A quick Google search.
“A Google search helped us discover NIA.”
— Austin Ernesti, Trajectory
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these scholarship foundations?
Affordable rates and strong communications.
“NIA has responsive team that is happy to answer our questions and explain how insurance meets our needs. NIA’s ability to help with nonprofit rates is a great benefit — it’s very difficult to be a nonprofit in today’s world.”
— Margaret Johnson, NSAL New York Chapter
Customizable coverage.
“NIA enables our nonprofit to customize our coverage based on our organization’s unique programs.”
— Allison Eklund, RAS Orchestra Foundation
“The people listen…”
“With NIA as our insurance provider, the people listen to us and we love the information that is provided for our organization.”
— Ashlee Madrid, Solvang Danish Days Foundation
Scholarship foundations need an insurer that values their mission.
Why do nonprofit scholarship foundations get their insurance coverage from NIA?
It’s easy: Scholarship foundations help level the playing field for students and help them access the education and skills they need to succeed — NIA wants scholarship foundations to have the coverage they need to succeed.
NIA provides insurance coverage that’s dependable and affordable, tailored to their needs, includes resources that can help them thrive, and is supported by a team of experts who are ready to help.
