INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 14, 2023) – The MJ Charitable Foundation (The MJ Foundation), has awarded three $10,000 grants to non-profits in the Indianapolis, Phoenix and Denver communities marking the first grant cycle for the Foundation. The MJ Foundation is the nonprofit arm of leading commercial and personal insurance, risk management, retirement and employee benefits consulting agency, The MJ Companies.

The grant recipients include: Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT), Indy Book Project and Kitchen on the Street. These local organizations were selected in part for their alignment with the four cornerstones of The MJ Foundation mission: overcoming poverty, fostering diversity, advancing education and embracing humanity.

Each of these nonprofits have demonstrated a unique need they are addressing in the community. The grant dollars provided will go towards aiding in literacy efforts, addressing food insecurity and job creation for people with autism.

The MJ Foundation’s goal is to contribute $1 million in its first 10 years of operation, to the communities that The MJ Companies serves, including Greater Indianapolis, Phoenix and Denver. This formal grant process has the Foundation well on its way to achieving that goal.

The grant process is invitation-only; those invited were organizations where The MJ Companies associates serve their time and are nonprofits that they are passionate about.

“This first grant cycle surpassed our expectations. We received so many inspiring applications, but the three recipients truly distinguished themselves with their unique missions,” said Britni Shrout, executive director of The MJ Foundation. “These nonprofits not only align with the pillars of our Foundation but align with our Purpose. Our shared values and commitment to those we serve is evident, and we can’t wait to see the impact of these grants.”

The MJ Companies has long been a committed community partner. From a two-person start-up to an agency with more than 200 employees in Indiana, Arizona and Colorado, MJ has kept community at the forefront.

The MJ Companies CEO and Founder of the MJ Foundation, Michael H. Bill added, “Completing this first grant cycle has sparked momentum across our organization for how we can continue to be intentional active forces for good in the community, and I am humbled to lead an organization that shares the same passion for giving back that we were founded on.”

In addition to the first cycle of The MJ Foundation’s grants, The MJ Companies associates also raised nearly $21,000 through the Foundation’s Month of Giving campaign this November.

The Month of Giving was created as a way for MJ associates from all three offices to come together during the holiday season. Associates were given a variety of ways to get involved, from charitable donations and drives to hands-on experiences with non-profits in the community. The Dayspring Center (Indianapolis), The Center’s for Habilitation (Phoenix), Women’s Bean Project (Denver) and Indiana Diaper Bank were served during this campaign.

For more information on The MJ Foundation visit: www.mjfoundation.com.

The MJ Companies, a leading commercial and personal insurance, risk management, retirement and employee benefits consulting agency for more than 50 years, exists to inspire the success, fulfillment and wellbeing of each person it serves—associates and their families, business partners, clients and the community. As the nonprofit arm of The MJ Companies, The MJ Foundation aims to give back to the communities in which The MJ Companies associates live and work. From charitable donations and drives to hands-on experiences, the MJ Foundation supports local organizations in alignment with the four cornerstones of The MJ Foundation mission: overcoming poverty, advancing education, fostering diversity and embracing humanity.