BestPrep and Junior Achievement each receive $100,000 as part of Ongoing Partnership

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) today awarded $275,000 in financial literacy grants to 14 organizations throughout the Twin Cities area. Organizations providing financial literacy and retirement planning education received grants ranging from $10,000-$25,000. In addition, BestPrep and Junior Achievement each received $100,000 financial literacy grants as part of an ongoing strategic partnership.

“More than 15,000 people are directly served by these organizations through their financial education programs, which empower participants through money management skills, one-on-one counseling and economic laddering opportunities,” said Gretchen Cepek, general counsel for Allianz Life and member of the Allianz Life Community Relations Governance Committee that made the grants.

“Allianz Life is proud to contribute financial support through our grant and partnership platforms and our employees look forward to engaging even further through volunteer opportunities,” she said. Cepek, along with 20 Allianz Life volunteers, recently participated in a day-long financial literacy business simulation with 50 school students. The 2012 financial literacy grant recipients include:

• AccountAbility Minnesota (St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Integrated Financial Services and Education at Tax Time
• CLIMB Theater, Inc. (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) - supporting their play, "Emma and the Allianz Cash Cow"
• CLUES (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Empowerment program
• College Possible (St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Literacy curriculum
• Emerge Community Development (Minneapolis, Minn.) - supporting their North Minneapolis Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)
• LifeTrack Resources (St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Literacy program
• Minnesota Council on Economic Education (St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Community Mentorship for Financial Capability program
• Neighborhood Development Center (St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Literacy as part of new Entrepreneur Training and Technical Assistance program
• People Serving People (Minneapolis, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Fitness program
• Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Literacy program
• Project for Pride in Living (PPL) (Minneapolis, Minn.) - supporting their Employment Training - Financial program
• Twin Cities RISE! (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Education program.
• WomenVenture (St. Paul, Minn.) - supporting their Financial Education/Literacy program
• YouthCare (Minneapolis, Minn.) - supporting their "Invest in Youth" program

The 14 organizations were chosen by the Allianz Life Community Relations Governance Committee, which directs the company’s Grants Program and oversees Community Relations activities to ensure the practices and procedures are in line with Allianz Life’s core values.

The BestPrep and Junior Achievement financial literacy partnership recently completed the second year of a three-year commitment. In the initial two years of the program, more than 1,300 Allianz Life employees volunteered by working with youth through these programs. Programs implemented as part of the partnership include: JA in a Day; JA Weekly Delivery; eMentors/Job Shadow; Financial Matters Initiative; The Stock Market Game; JA Finance Park; JA Biz Town; JA BIG Bowl and Minnesota Business Venture Resident Business Leaders.

For more information about Allianz Life’s community giving programs, visit Allianz Life Community Outreach.

About Allianz Life
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2012, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees worldwide. More than 78 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America offers insurance and annuities in all states except New York. In New York, products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, New York, NY.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Sara Thurin Rollin, 763-765-6703
sarathurin.rollin@allianzlife.com

Source: Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America