NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Pacific Life Foundation has announced it plans to give $7.25 million in charitable funding in 2020. Supporting communities where Pacific Life employees live and work, including Orange County, California; Omaha, Nebraska; and Lynchburg, Virginia, the grants will focus on the areas of arts and culture; civic, community and economic development; environment; education; and health and human services.

Totaling almost $2 million, the Pacific Life Foundation’s initial 2020 Southern California grants were presented to 155 nonprofit agencies on January 28 at its annual reception held at Pacific Life’s Newport Beach headquarters. As part of the evening’s special presentation, Human Options was awarded the Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award, named after Pacific Life’s former chairman and CEO, and a $100,000 unrestricted cash grant.

At the end of 2019, the Pacific Life Foundation donated $100,000 to CHOC Children’s Foundation in support of its capital campaign to establish the Thompson Autism Center. The funding will assist in the renovation of a former medical office and bank building for the new center. Additionally, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, the largest hunger relief organization in Orange County, received $100,000 in support of its Bold Goal, which aims to increase the number of meals provided annually by the organization from 20 million to 30 million by 2021. To help achieve this, the Pacific Life Foundation funds will be used to purchase a refrigerated bobtail truck to serve a critical function in maintaining food safety and transportation through donation pickup from grocers, delivery to community partners, and direct food distribution to those in need.

Highlights of the 2020 giving program include:

Capital Grants
The Ronald McDonald House Orange County received $150,000 to renovate and expand its existing space, adding 24 new guest rooms, an upgraded kitchen, private family consultation room, two additional living rooms, a playground, and sensory and teen rooms. To address its current space and animal care limitations, as well as its water system, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center was awarded a $50,000 grant. Thomas House Family Shelter was provided a $50,000 grant to aid in the building renovation project of its recently purchased 8-unit apartment property which will expand its transitional shelter capacity from 14 to 22 apartments.

3Ts of Education
Annually, the Pacific Life Foundation awards grants to K-12 schools where there are concentrations of children or grandchildren of Pacific Life employees. The 3Ts of Education are provided in one of the following areas: teacher training, textbooks or technology. In 2020, 166 K-12 schools nationwide have been granted $574,000 in total funding. Since the program’s inception in 1998, more than $8.9 million in 3Ts of Education grants have been distributed.

United Way and Matching Gifts
Pacific Life’s long-standing partnership with the United Way dates back to the early 1930s. During Pacific Life’s annual United Way Campaign, the Pacific Life Foundation matches every dollar donated by employees. Planned United Way giving is expected to reach nearly $1 million in combined employee and foundation contributions in 2020. The Pacific Life Foundation also matches employee donations to nonprofits and universities and has plans to match $375,000 in employee donations throughout 2020.

Employee Volunteer Program
The Pacific Life Foundation not only provides funding to organizations, but also supports these organizations through volunteer efforts. The Pacific Life Good Guys counted 2,759 volunteers, completed 280 projects, and provided 13,259 volunteer hours to support 108 nonprofits during 2019.

About Pacific Life and the Pacific Life Foundation
For more than 150 years, Pacific Life has helped millions of individuals and families with their financial needs through a wide range of life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Pacific Life counts more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as its clients and has been named one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies^® by the Ethisphere Institute. For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit www.PacificLife.com.

The Pacific Life Foundation (the Foundation) was established in 1984. Together with Pacific Life, the Foundation has contributed more than $116 million to community and national nonprofit organizations. Grants are made to organizations that address a broad spectrum of social needs. Additional information about the Pacific Life Foundation can be found at www.PacificLifeFoundation.com.

Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Client count as of June 2019 is compiled by Pacific Life using the 2019 FORTUNE 500^® list.