The Pacific Life Foundation announced today it expects to give a total of $6.25 million in charitable funding in 2017. The 2017 grants will focus on the areas of arts and culture; civic, community and environment; education; and health and human services. Grants will primarily support the communities where Pacific Life employees live and work, including greater Orange County, California; Omaha, Nebraska; and Lynchburg, Virginia.

The Pacific Life Foundation’s initial 2017 grants were presented to local Southern California organizations on Jan. 18, 2017 at the annual Grants Reception held at Pacific Life’s Newport Beach headquarters. As part of the evening’s special presentation, The Council on Aging Southern California received the Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award, named after Pacific Life’s former chairman and CEO, and a $50,000 unrestricted cash grant. The Pacific Life Foundation has provided more than $830,000 in grants to support the Orange County-based organization.

“We are forever grateful for the unwavering support from the Pacific Life Foundation,” said Lisa Wright Jenkins, president and CEO, The Council on Aging Southern California. “From the transformational grant that allowed us to expand our Ombudsman Program that protects vulnerable seniors, to the annual grants that enable us to build more awareness of our no-cost programs and services, the Foundation has stood with us for over 31 years in supporting older adults. Seniors enjoy better lives because of the incredible kindness and generosity of the Pacific Life Foundation.”

Highlights of the 2017 giving program include:

Local Grants:

During the Grants Reception, 160 Southern California-based nonprofit agencies were awarded more than $1.7 million in grants. Grants will fund a wide range of programs, including hunger relief, mental health awareness, social support services for low-income families, environmental protection, and programs for individuals with special needs. A listing of the 2017 grants already distributed can be found at www.PacificLifeFoundation.com.

Capital Grants:

Capital grants were provided to the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross for $50,000 to support its disaster relief fleet campaign and to Taller San Jose in the amount of $75,000 for its Anaheim Expansion project. Additionally, a $50,000 grant to fulfill a $100,000 pledge was given to KidWorks Community Development in Santa Ana, California for its Building Dreams campaign.

3T’s 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. 3T’s of Education grants are provided in one of the following areas: teacher training, textbooks, or technology. In 2017, 158 K-12 schools nationwide have been granted a total of $567,000. Since 1998, more than $7.2 million in 3T’s of Education grants have been distributed to hundreds of K-12 schools nationwide.

Matching Gifts Program:

In 2017, the Pacific Life Foundation has committed to match employee donations of $455,000 to the United Way and an additional $275,000 to U.S. nonprofit agencies, colleges, and universities supported by employees.

About Pacific Life and the Pacific Life Foundation

The Pacific Life Foundation was established in 1984. Together with Pacific Life, the Foundation has contributed more than $100 million to community and national nonprofit organizations. Grants are made to organizations that address a broad spectrum of social needs.

Offering insurance since 1868, Pacific Life provides a wide range of 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. For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit www.PacificLife.com.

Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Client count as of June 2016 is compiled by Pacific Life using the 2016 FORTUNE 500® list.