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The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program

Nearly 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence during their lifetime. And, research shows that lacking financial knowledge and resources are the main reasons why victims of domestic violence return to or remain in relationships with their abusers.^[1] This type of abuse - called economic abuse - affects tens of thousands of women each year. Economic abuse prevents victims from acquiring, using or maintaining financial resources. Abusers employ isolating tactics such as a spouse preventing his partner from working or accessing a bank, credit card or transportation.

Survivors of domestic violence and economic abuse need targeted tools and strategies to address financial struggles and plan for safe, secure futures. However, few resources exist for programs designed to assist survivors with the economic challenges they face. That's why The Allstate Foundation is taking action. As the corporate foundation of a financial services company, we are uniquely qualified and equipped to provide survivors with financial knowledge, skills and resources. Since 2005, we have partnered with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. (NNEDV) to assist in the economic empowerment of domestic violence survivors. A social change organization, NNEDV works to create a society in which violence against women no longer exists. Together, The Allstate Foundation and NNEDV are working to helps survivors of domestic violence build their financial skills as a way to escape abusive relationships, get safe, stay safe and thrive.

Our Unique and Comprehensive Approach

Since 2005, The Allstate Foundation has donated over $30 million to help break the cycle of violence. The Allstate Foundation directly address the economic needs of survivors with a comprehensive program that includes the Moving Ahead Through Financial Management Curriculum, Allstate employee volunteers and grant programs to support survivors and the organizations that serve them. Through the Foundation's national conferences, research and other events, domestic violence service providers learn the best ways to use economic empowerment services to positively change the lives of survivors. In order to stop the national crisis, The Allstate Foundation is also committed to raising public awareness and changing societal attitudes about domestic violence and economic abuse.

Direct Service

The Allstate Foundation developed the Moving Ahead Grant Programs to provide economic empowerment services and funding support for survivors of domestic violence. Our grant programs empower survivors to gain or regain control of their finances in order to get free and stay free from violence. This includes financial tools and information that enable survivors of domestic abuse to fully understand their financial circumstances and to engage in short-term and long-term planning to accomplish their personal goals.

Moving Ahead Curriculum Grant Program. In 2007, The Allstate Foundation and NNEDV released the Moving Ahead Through Financial Management Curriculum and related resources. Moving Ahead provides important financial education information created especially for domestic violence survivors. In 2009, The Allstate Foundation and NNEDV launched a two-year grant program designed to achieve national distribution of the curriculum by partnering with state domestic violence coalitions. Through the two-year grant program, state domestic violence coalitions serve as the main point of contact for the training and distribution of the Moving Ahead curriculum for domestic violence programs and other community-based programs in their state. The Allstate Foundation has committed more than $700,000 to support the development, distribution and implementation of the Moving Ahead curriculum. More than 3,000 advocates representing nearly 1,000 local programs in 34 states are using Moving Ahead resources.

The Moving Ahead Economic Empowerment Grant Program. This program seeks to build the capacity of state coalitions to respond to economic needs of survivors as they partner with local service providers. Ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, these grants seek continue to develop best practice in economic justice for domestic violence survivors.

The Moving Ahead Direct Assistance Fund. The fund enables domestic violence survivors to pursue long-term financial security by providing grants to individual survivors of up to $1,000 to support education, training and job-related expenses.

Regional Grantmaking. In addition to The Allstate Foundation's national grantmaking programs, each of our 14 Allstate regions also distribute grants to local organizations primarily in the areas of economic empowerment for domestic violence survivors and safe teen driving. On average, the regions give grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

In addition to funding initiatives, hundreds of Allstate employees have supported our domestic violence efforts. From customer service representatives and Allstate Agents who donated and collected business suits to benefit survivors, to legal staff providing pro bono services to domestic violence organizations to Allstate leaders who champion the cause. To learn more about Allstate staff volunteerism and the Moving Ahead Grant Programs, visit www.ClickToEmpower.org.

Thought Leadership

The Allstate Foundation is committed to spreading the best practices in economic advocacy. Through academic research initiatives and capacity-building conferences, The Allstate Foundation has become a leader in the financial empowerment of survivors of domestic violence.

Research. The Allstate Foundation is committed to learning and publicizing more information surrounding this national crisis. For example, The Allstate Foundation National Poll on Domestic Violence revealed that approximately 6 out of 10 respondents agree that the lack of money and a steady income is often a challenge faced by survivors of domestic violence when leaving their abusers.^[2]

Measuring results. The Rutgers University School of Social Work conducted a national evaluation of The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Moving Ahead through Financial Management Curriculum. The results showed:

• 94% of survivor-respondents were no longer living with their abusive partners.
• 89% continued to utilize the curriculum after 6 months.
• 92% agreed that the curriculum was helpful.^[3]

Gathering the experts. The Allstate Foundation also hosts the Moving Ahead Economic Empowerment Symposium, where advocates share the best practices and research about providing economic empowerment services to survivors.

Public Awareness

The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program raises awareness and changes societal attitudes about domestic violence and economic abuse. Through traditional and social media campaigns, The Allstate Foundation seeks to encourage people to talk openly about domestic violence and economic abuse. Join us in this effort! Visit the following websites to learn more:

• ClickToEmpower.org
• facebook.com/clicktoempower
• twitter.com/clicktoempower

Contact Information

To learn more about The Allstate Foundation, visit allstate.com/foundation. For more information on The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program, visit ClickToEmpower.org or contact:

The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program:

If you are a survivor of domestic violence or are currently experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline to receive support and discuss your options at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TYY).

[1] Integrating Asset-Building Strategies into Domestic Violence Advocacy," Clearinghouse Review, Journal of Poverty Law and Policy, July-August 2009 rpt. in Deborah K. Anderson & Daniel G. Saunders, "Leaving an Abusive Partner: An Empirical Review of Predictors, the Process of Leaving, and the Psychological Well-being," 4 Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 163 (2003); Ola W. Barnett, "Why Battered Women Do Not Leave: Part 1: External Inhibiting Factors Within Society, 1 Trauma, Violence, & Abuse" 343 (2000).

[2] The Allstate Foundation National Poll on Domestic Violence, 2008.

[3] Rutgers University School of Social Work, Validating Allstate's National Model on Helping Survivors of Violence Achieve Economic Self-Sufficiency, 2009.