The Principal Financial Group Awards Sizeable Grants to Central Iowa Education and Health and Human Services Organizations
November 5, 2007 (Des Moines, Iowa) — In an effort to support Central Iowa's quality of life, the Principal Financial Group® and the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. has awarded grants totaling $843,825 to area health and human service organizations and $582,646 in education grants so far in 2007.
"Through the Foundation, we are able to contribute to those organizations that have the greatest impact on the communities where our employees live and work," said Libby Jacobs, community relations director at The Principal®. "I am pleased that The Principal is able to contribute to such worthy projects."
Among the health and human service programs receiving funding were:
- House of Mercy - Grant funds will supportthe free medical clinic. House of Mercy Medical Clinic provides free primary health care, clinical testing and prescription drugs to more than 500 patients each month. The clinic is committed to the belief that health care is a basic human right. Its goal is to create a medical clinic in which volunteers and patients gain equality in decisions and work together to supply the best health care possible.
- Central Iowa Shelter and Services - Grant funding will help to expand capacity to provide individualized case management and supportive services structured to reduce the incidence of chronic and long-term homelessness in Polk County.
- Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines - This organization is part of the nation's largest volunteer organization that preserves and revitalizes low-income houses and communities. Funding will support its mission to preserve and revitalize houses and communities, assuring that low income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly and disabled and families with dependent children live in warmth, safety and independence.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa - Funds will support the 'Building Potential One Kid at a Time' capital campaign that provides the bricks and mortal funding for two projects. Phase one is a collaborative effort to leverage public and private dollars to turn a transitional school building that operates only during school hours, into a community center that operates after school, all day during school breaks, evenings, weekend and all day during the summer. Phase two is a Teen Center at the Logan Community Boys and Girls Club. The center is being designed to create an atmosphere and separate space for programming and activities centers on teen issues and interests.
- Variety-The Children's Charity of Iowa - Funding will support a new Variety Club Sunshine Coach. The Sunshine Coach program has provided children in need with transportation to facilities and hospitals. In addition, the program gives these children the opportunity to enjoy field trips and recreational outings in which they might not otherwise be able to participate.
- Blank Children's Hospital - Funding will support the 24th annual Festival of Trees & Lights. The proceeds from the Festival are the sole source of support for the Child Life and Advocacy & Outreach programs provided by the hospital.
Among the programs receiving second quarter education grants were:
- Iowa Public Television - Grant funding will go towards IPTV's 'Ready to Learn' program. Ready to Learn teaches teachers, parents, and child care providers how to use television as a learning tool for young children preparing for school. The adults learn how to select programs with educational content and value and then extend the learning experiences from viewing those television programs with books and fun activities.
- American Institute of Business - Grants will fund scholarships for 10 AIB students entering their second year of study.
- Des Moines Business Education Alliance - Grant funding will support the continued growth of the professional development programs and consultation service within the Professional Development Center for Iowa Educators, and the development of the Center for Educational Excellence.
- World Food Prize - Funding will support the World Food Prize Foundation's Youth Institute and Borlaug-Ruan International Internship program. These funds will provide airfare and travel expenses; health and emergency evacuation insurance; a stipend to the research centers for the student's living expenses and research fees; a small stipend to the student for incidental expenses; student orientation prior to departure; and printed materials for the program.
The Principal and the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. also awarded over $120,000 in health and human service and education grants in other communities where the company has a large employee presence.
About the Principal Financial Group Foundation
The Principal Financial Group Foundation provides grants on a quarterly basis in the following categories: Health and Human Services (first quarter); Education (second quarter); Arts and Culture (third quarter); and Recreation and Tourism (fourth quarter).
The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. was formed in 1987 to help support communities in which the Principal Financial Group has a major employee presence. For more information about the Foundation grants program, visit www.principal.com/about/giving/grant.htm.
About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies and national network of financial professionals. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $282.1 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 18.1 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
1) "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.
2) As of June 30, 2007.
