The MJ Companies Partners with Valley of the Sun United Way

The MJ Companies| January 9th, 2024

MJ Foundation

PHOENIX (Jan. 9, 2024) – For over 50 years, MJ has been a leading commercial and personal insurance, risk management, retirement, and employee benefits consulting firm with offices in Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Denver.

Moved by gratitude and a commitment to our communities, we formed The MJ Foundation, which is dedicated to creating a meaningful, positive impact.

“The MJ Companies is dedicated to inspiring the success, fulfillment, and wellbeing of each person we serve,” says Arizona Market President Barry Goodrich. “That includes giving back to the communities where we live and work and supporting local organizations like Valley of the Sun United Way that make a positive difference.”

In January, the MJ Foundation partnered with Valley of the Sun United Way, a Phoenix-based nonprofit part of the global United Way network. Valley of the Sun United Way envisions a community where every child, family, and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live, and has every opportunity to succeed in school, life, and work.

Through its five-year plan for Mighty Change by 2026, Valley of the Sun United Way is putting all its efforts toward reaching Bold Goals for Maricopa County, Ariz., in education, housing and homelessness, health, and workforce development. And we mean BIG goals – such as working to reduce homelessness by 50%, increasing access to affordable health care for 100,000 people, improving third-grade reading proficiencies, and helping individuals prepare for and achieve living wage jobs or higher-paying employment.

This year, Valley of the Sun United Way was proud to grant more than $9.3 million to nonprofit organizations working in partnership on the journey to Mighty Change. More than 100 nonprofits were supported thanks to 300 MC2026 community partners, 485 corporate supporters, 5,000 volunteers, and so many others. Additional highlights from this past year include:

Ensured nearly 10,000 children access affordable, high-quality childcare.
Collaborated with Read on Communities to address pandemic-induced learning loss, enhancing literacy for almost 6,500 children through dedicated hubs.
Introduced “Pathways to Economic Opportunity,” a mentorship program empowering young Black and Latina women.
Distributed $350,000 worth of in-kind equipment and supplies to schools and nonprofits, fostering community development.

Of course, the real results and the real work are all about changing people’s lives for the better. Check out some of their Stories of Mighty Change below to learn how this community-wide effort is helping children, individuals, and families:

We hope you’ll join with us, and learn more about Valley of the Sun United Way and its MC2026 plan for Mighty Change at www.vsuw.org/MightyChange. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to support their efforts, please give at www.vsuw.org/donate. Together, we can make lasting differences in our communities.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ryan Narramore, Valley of the Sun United Way, 602.499.8894, RNarramore@vsuw.org

Britni Shrout, MJ Insurance, 317.805.7518, britni.shrout@themjcos.com

ABOUT THE MJ FOUNDATION

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.