(Fairfax, Va.)—The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) Charitable Foundation raised more $181,000 during NAILBA’s annual meeting held in Phoenix, Arizona.

Generous cash donations totaling $62,500 were received from Foundation supporters Prudential, Genworth Financial, Protective Life and Mutual of Omaha. An additional $35,244 was raised through live and silent auctions, held online before the meeting and onsite during the Mooers Award Reception.

For the second year in a row, Legal & General America offered a matching donation opportunity, a program known as “Giving Matters.” This travel-themed matching-donation program gave donors the chance to win a trip anywhere in the United States, with up to $5,000 in travel expenses covered by Legal & General America. This year, $41,890 in donations was received, and was matched by Legal & General America, to raise the total funds raised through this program to $83,780. The winner of the travel package was Mike Bridges, President of NAILBA exhibiting company PaperClip, who immediately re-donated the prize for auction.

By all measures, the Foundation’s fundraising efforts this year were a “resounding success,” according to Myra Palmer, NAILBA Charitable Foundation President.

Since 2002, the Foundation has given away more than $1,000,000. The mission of the NAILBA Charitable Foundation is to encourage volunteerism among NAILBA members and provide grant funds to worthy charitable organizations that serve to enhance the quality of life for those less fortunate, with a special emphasis on children. In 2011, the Foundation awarded $205,000 in grants to 12 organizations, and supported the LIFE Foundation’s LIFELessons Scholarship program.

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The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) Charitable Foundation is a public charity that receives gifts mainly, but not exclusively, from the membership of NAILBA and its corporate partners. The mission of the Charitable Foundation is to encourage volunteerism among the NAILBA membership and provide grant funds to worthy charitable organizations with limited operating budgets in local communities served by member agencies, with a special emphasis on those that enhance the quality of life for children.

The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) is the premiere insurance industry organization promoting financial security and consumer choice through the use of independent brokerage distribution.  NAILBA member agencies represent 250,000 producers who deliver more than four billion dollars in first year life insurance premiums annually. For more information visit www.nailba.org.