Dave Binsfeld helps Family Promise of Greater Phoenix win $10,000 Donation
Family Promise of Greater Phoenix Executive Director Ted Taylor, surrounded by children in the Emergency Shelter Program
The coronavirus pandemic has created economic turmoil for organizations throughout the country, with many nonprofits experiencing a double blow. “Not only do nonprofits suffer in downturns, due to decreased fundraising, but many are also called on to do more for the communities they serve,” said Dave Binsfeld, Vice President of General Southwest Insurance Agency. Such is the case with Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. The organization helps families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence.
So when Dave learned about the Independent Agent Giving initiative sponsored by Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance, he was motivated to act. General Southwest handles the insurance needs of many area nonprofits, and Dave is a member of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. The hard part for him was selecting just one organization to nominate. So how did he choose? “With so many people out of work due to Covid-19, I know many families are struggling. Family Promise of Greater Phoenix really makes a difference for these families, and I feel, at this time, that mission is critical.”
Both Dave and Ted Taylor, Executive Director of Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, were thrilled to learn the organization was chosen for a $10,000 donation. The coronavirus pandemic has indeed hit them hard. In addition to aiding with increased homelessness, Family Promise has also been providing daycare for children who would normally be in school, allowing parents to work or handle other responsibilities that help them achieve sustainability. This grant will be used to help fund the daycare.
Currently, Family Promise of Greater Phoenix is sheltering more than a dozen families, including several family pets. They were the first shelter in the US that permitted dogs and cats, believing that families shouldn’t have to part with beloved pets during difficult times.
“My team and I recognize the hard work and dedication performed by Family Promise of Greater Phoenix during this pandemic and we are incredibly thankful for Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for stepping up to the plate and providing extra funds to help the community when we need it most,” said Dave.
The Independent Agent Giving initiative provided $1,000,000 in funds, awarded as 150 individual emergency community support grants of either $5,000 or $10,000 each. Independent insurance agents across the country nominated a total of 3,300 organizations. Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance are committed to supporting local and national causes through the Liberty Mutual Foundation, the Safeco Foundation, the Liberty Torchbearers (and employee involvement program) and Independent Agent Giving. In addition to the emergency community support initiative, Liberty Mutual and Safeco fund two other agent giving programs, Make More Happen and Change Agents.
The owners and staff at General Southwest also have a long history of supporting local causes, through volunteering and financial support. In November 2019, through a donation program with CopperPoint Insurance, GSW advisors secured two $2,500 grants, one for The Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and another for St. Joseph’s Youth Camp. This past holiday season, the agency adopted a family and provided nearly $1,500 worth of gifts, food, and clothing. The agency is also proud to support Assistance League of Phoenix, Arcadia Little League, Grand Canyon Council Boy Scouts of America, Detour Company Theatre, and many other nonprofit and charitable causes.
