Ohio National Financial Services and its associates made a great impact on the Greater Cincinnati community in 2016 through volunteer and financial support to many charitable organizations. “Ohio National recognizes the importance of community involvement. We are committed to giving back and strengthening the communities our associates, policyholders and clients call home,” said Gary T. “Doc” Huffman, Ohio National’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Whether through our foundation, organizations like the United Way or through the volunteer efforts of our associates, Ohio National is committed to making our community a stronger, better place to live.” Ohio National’s charitable activities take many forms, but chief among them are The Ohio National Financial Foundation, Associates engaged with onsite activities for charitable organizations, and the launch of Ohio National’s first Community Service Day.
The Ohio National Foundation
The Ohio National Foundation, which has facilitated the company’s corporate giving since 1987, has donated more than $20 million to local causes. This year the Foundation gave $1.8 million to 80 organizations, including a commitment of a $1 million gift over 10 years to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute. Others include:
- ArtsWave
- Chatfield College
- Children’s Home of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Cincinnati Opera
- Cincinnati Red Cross
- Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
- Crayons to Computers
- Every Child Succeeds
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD)
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati
- United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Associate Charitable Involvement
A few examples of Ohio National’s support of some of Greater Cincinnati’s major charitable organizations last year:
- United Way: In 2016, Ohio National was ranked 11th for corporate giving in Cincinnati to the community campaign and donated $850,000 (includes foundation and associate giving).
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati: In 2016, more than 160 Ohio National associates gave their time to assist with the construction of two homes for low-income individuals in the community. Ohio National has committed $1.3 million in support of Habitat, and has helped construct 16 homes since 2009.
- Make-A-Wish: For every individual variable contract owner choosing e-delivery for a prospectus, Ohio National donates $10. Ohio National donated $24,380 in 2016 and a total of $255,210 has been donated to Make-A-Wish since 2010 when the program began. These donations grant wishes, such as a trip to Hawaii, for children with life-threatening medical conditions across the United States.
- ArtsWave: In 2016, associates raised $130,000 during the annual associate campaign.
- Taft Museum of Art: Ohio National supports the efforts of local artists and has sponsored the Taft’s Duncanson Artist-in-Residence program for 23 years. This program assists and funds the work of an African American artist each year. In 2016 the program supported jazz vocalist Carla Cook.
Community Service Day and Outreach
In 2016, Ohio National launched its Community Service Day. Associates had the opportunity to volunteer at local organizations including churches, schools, daycares and other service and nonprofit agencies during the work day. In this inaugural year of the program, 637 associates logged 4,286 hours in the community. Organizations included Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, the Adopt a Class program, the Ronald McDonald House, Crayons to Computers and many more.
“Community service is an important part of Ohio National’s culture, and we receive comments from our associates that they appreciate we are so involved in the community,” said Pam Webb, vice president, human resources.
Associates and guests also donated 2,365 pounds of food for the Freestore Foodbank during Ohio National’s 15th annual Victorian Holiday Village, a free family holiday event with miniature-sized houses. In 2016, 5,260 total guests were welcomed and more than 28,000 pounds of food has been collected since 2001. The Victorian Holiday Village is staffed by 150 associate volunteers each year.
During Ohio National’s first annual Crayon Challenge, associates donated 3,364 boxes of crayons to Crayons to Computers.
Tracing its corporate origins to 1909, Ohio National markets a variety of insurance and financial products through more than 50,000 representatives in 49 states (all except New York), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and through affiliated operations in South America. Additional subsidiaries operate in New York and Connecticut. As of December 31, 2016, its affiliated companies have $41.8 billion total assets under management. Products are issued by The Ohio National Life Insurance Company and Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation. Ohio National is proud to be named a “Top Workplace” in Cincinnati for seven consecutive years by Enquirer Media (June 2010-2016) and employs more than 1,300 associates. Visit www.ohionational.com for more information.
