Progressive, The Hartford announce initiatives for small business growth and mental health

Progressive, The Hartford announce initiatives for small business growth and mental health | Insurance Business America

Non-Profits & Charities

Progressive, The Hartford announce initiatives for small business growth and mental health

Grants for entrepreneurs and awareness campaigns announced for community impact

Non-Profits & Charities

By
Kenneth Araullo

Progressive Insurance and The Hartford have both announced initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses and addressing mental health awareness.

Progressive Insurance revealed the 2024 recipients of its Driving Small Business Forward grant program, which is conducted in collaboration with the financial technology platform Hello Alice.

The program, now in its third year, provides $50,000 grants to 20 small business owners, with the funds designated for the purchase of commercial vehicles. The initiative seeks to support the growth of small businesses, which represent 99.9% of US businesses, according to data from the Small Business Administration.

Karen Bailo, Progressive’s commercial lines president, highlighted the challenges small businesses face when seeking access to capital, particularly for transportation needs. She noted that the Driving Small Business Forward program is part of Progressive’s broader effort to help entrepreneurs thrive.

“For the last three years, the Driving Small Business Forward grant program is one of the ways we’ve been supporting entrepreneurs on their small business journey, and we are proud to continue facilitating progress in business as part of our belief that insurance should do more,” Bailo said.

In partnership with Hello Alice, which connects over 1.5 million small businesses to capital and other resources, Progressive has focused on facilitating growth for small business owners. The grant program underscores the company’s ongoing efforts to provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed.

The Hartford advancing mental health awareness

Meanwhile, The Hartford announced the expansion of its partnership with the mental health nonprofit Active Minds.

The partnership, which coincides with National Suicide Prevention Month, will bring Active Minds’ Send Silence Packing exhibit to more than 100 US colleges and universities over the next two years.

The exhibit, featuring 100 backpacks representing stories of mental health challenges, loss, and resilience, is aimed at raising awareness about mental health and reducing stigma.

Christopher Swift, chairman and CEO of The Hartford, emphasized the importance of addressing the mental health crisis, particularly among young adults. Swift noted that education and a collective community response are crucial to combating stigma and encouraging mental health care.

“We are honored to partner with Active Minds to bring their powerful exhibit to communities in need to increase mental health awareness, inspire hope, and save lives,” he said.

Alison Malmon, the founder and executive director of Active Minds, echoed Swift’s sentiments, noting that the exhibit provides an opportunity for communities to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health.

“We hope that by sharing these powerful stories of loss and survival, we can inspire communities nationwide to take action, drive meaningful conversations, and provide critical support to those in need,” Malmon said.

The fall 2024 Send Silence Packing tour is expected to stop in 23 cities across nine states, reaching approximately 375,000 students. The exhibit has already shown positive results, with 76% of attendees using the information to support their own well-being and 70% using it to help friends and family, according to new data released by Active Minds.

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