The Midwest Division of the Insurance Industry Charitable Network (IICF) has announced that it will honor the Chicago Apprentice Network during its annual Blazing the Trail Benefit, to be held on Sept. 22 at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago.
The 2022 IICF Blazing the Trail Benefit will gather insurance industry professionals and leaders, as well as representatives of local nonprofits, to celebrate the philanthropic achievements of the industry.
“Last year we celebrated the 10th anniversary of IICF in the Midwest, and we’re excited to look ahead to important ways IICF can convene the insurance industry in the years ahead,” said Jeff Kroeger, chair of the IICF Midwest Division board of directors and chief commercial officer at Insureon, a division of Specialty Program Group and Hub International. “This includes helping to broaden awareness of apprenticeships and other unique talent acquisition and development opportunities, such as the IICF Talent Hub, as the industry builds for the future. This is just one way we’re bringing industry leaders together, building hope and ultimately raising vital funds that benefit our local nonprofit partners and our neighbors in need.”
Proceeds from Blazing the Trail will benefit IICF’s Midwest Community Grants Program, which awards grants to local nonprofit and charitable organizations focused on education, safety and health. The 2021 event raised $400,000. IICF Community Grants totaling more than $520,000 were awarded in 2021 to nonprofits across the Midwest. Since its founding in 2011, IICF’s Midwest Division has awarded more than $4 million in grants to more than 200 nonprofits. IICF Midwest is one of five IICF divisions – four in the US and one in the UK. The foundation has granted a total of $43 million globally since its founding in 1996.
“We are working tirelessly with our nonprofit partners to meet the increased needs in our communities, and IICF is grateful for the dedicated support of the insurance community in the Midwest,” said Kelly Hartweg, executive director of the IICF Midwest Division. “We have seen new companies join our boards of directors this year as we expand our scope of working together in giving back here in Chicago and throughout our chapters serving Ohio and Kansas and Missouri. The IICF Community Grants funded through insurance industry support help to make a real difference in the lives of so many facing food insecurity, homelessness and other significant challenges.”
