Our Commitment
The Heffernan Group has been involved in the community since its inception in 1988. In the past ten years, Heffernan has donated over $5.5 million to charity. The firm has been among the Top Greater Bay Area Philanthropists since 2003. The Heffernan Group believes giving back, whether through volunteer opportunities or donations, is a way to improve the communities where we live and work for the future.
Community Investment
The Heffernan Group averages $2,010 in donations per employee and we sponsor four official avenues for charitable giving:
- Employee Matching – Employees are offered the opportunity to donate to a 501(c)3 charity of their choice each year and Heffernan will provide a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Garee Lee Smith Scholarship Award – Each year, the Heffernan Foundation awards up to eight $5,000 scholarships to Heffernan employees and their extended family members. Garee Lee Smith was one of Heffernan’s first employees and was instrumental in establishing Heffernan’s family-friendly culture.
- Volunteer Time – Each Heffernan employee is granted up to four paid days off per year, one day per quarter, to volunteer their time at a local nonprofit. Additionally Heffernan participates in the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Annual Week of Giving.
- Grant Donations – Heffernan accepts applications for grants by invitation only on an annual basis. Grants to 501(c)3 nonprofits typically range from $2,500-$10,000.
Investment in Our Employees
The Heffernan Group is committed to providing a workplace that promotes and protects work-life balance for our employees. This supportive work environment has been recognized by numerous business publications, including:
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers has been named a Top Corporate Philanthropist in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times since 2003
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers was ranked 35th Largest Broker of US Business by Business Insurance Magazine in 2014
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers was ranked 16th Largest Independent Agency by Insurance Journal Magazine in 2014
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named a “Healthiest Employers” honoree by the San Francisco Business Times, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, the Portland Business Journal and the St. Louis Business Journal in 2012, 2013 and 2014
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers was named a Top 50 Commercial Lines Leader by Insurance Journal Magazine in 2013
- Heffernan Financial Services was named one of the Top 100 Retirement Plan Advisors by PLANADVISOR Magazine in 2014
Combining Wellness & Philanthropy
In 2014, Heffernan staff participated in the following philanthropic fitness events:
• Race for the Roses
• Race for the Cure
• Avon Breast Cancer Walk – San Francisco
• Light the Night
• Stair Climb
• Color Run
• Turkey Trot
• Heffernan Foundation Walk
• Petaluma Foot Race
Some of the 2015 events include:
• Color Run
• Race for the Roses
• ALS Walk
• Avon Breast Cancer Walk (San Francisco & New York)
• Stair Climb
• Turkey Trot
• Petaluma Foot Race
• Heffernan Foundation Walk
+3 Network Update
The +3 Network supports Heffernan’s ongoing efforts to combine philanthropy with workplace wellness. This web and mobile portal motivates participants by converting every healthy activity they complete into a charitable donation.
Since 2011, employees’ “sweat equity” has raised close to $200,000 which is donated to local nonprofits each year.