Caring Partner: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Music therapy classes, adaptive horseback riding, and recreational trips are among the ways caring partner Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. enriches quality of life for individuals served by Advocates. As benefits broker consulting firm for Advocates, Gallagher is committed to ensuring that Advocates’ employees have coverage of the highest value and quality, but their efforts don’t end there. Gallagher’s partnership extends above and beyond their professional services to include a unique funding opportunity for the people Advocates’ supports. In 2011 they created The Arthur J. Gallagher Fund: Connecting Individuals with Opportunities as a way to benefit the people Advocates serves. The Gallagher Fund provides small grants for individuals at Advocates to pursue goals and participate in life-enriching activities. This year alone, the Gallagher Fund awarded grants to supply tools for a group to build a vegetable garden; create a sensory area in the house for young residents on the autism spectrum; and to turn an open space into an art studio. Gallagher Benefit Services has invested resources, expertise, and time in assuring that all at Advocates—employees and individuals served alike—can experience life to the fullest.

Why did Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. get involved with Advocates?
We began our partnership with Advocates in 2004 and it has been a great honor and privilege to serve the agency and staff as a trusted adviser for 12 years.  In 2004, Advocates was searching for a partner who could provide expert advice on employee benefits. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is a broker consulting firm specializing in employee benefits and a partnership was forged.  We believed then and now that it is extremely important to support Advocates in their vision to offer benefit plans that provide excellent coverage, are affordable and support the financial security of employees.    

How has Gallagher been involved in shaping creative solutions for better lives at Advocates?
We understand how important it is to Advocates to offer benefit plans that are essential to the health and financial well-being of employees.  As a partner fully committed to Advocates we recognize that by doing our best for the agency means better care and better lives for the employees served.  Creating affordable, competitive benefit programs to meet the needs of employees and their families is a large part of the AJG value proposition along with working with Advocates to balance the cost of benefits and fiscal challenges faced by a nonprofit agency.   

What has been a favorite accomplishment or other highlight of your partnership with Advocates and why?
In the spring of 2011, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., working in close partnership with Advocates, was honored with the opportunity to establish The Arthur J. Gallaher & Co. Fund “Connecting Individuals with Opportunities”.  The Gallagher Fund is a unique grant program that offers financial support to applicants who wish to pursue an activity, experience, or purchase an item that will enrich and enhance their quality of life.  The fund was launched with 3-year financial commitment of $5,000 each year and continues today.  The importance of being a socially responsible company is deeply imbedded in our corporate culture and we are very proud that The Gallagher Fund has supported the diversity of programs and individuals served by Advocates.                                                                                                                                         

What do you envision for collaborating with Advocates in the future?
Although the world of employee benefits is constantly changing culture and mission remain at the forefront for both of our organizations.  We are looking forward to a future in which we can support Advocates’ goal to sustain excellent, affordable benefit plans with energy, vision and innovation.  As Advocates moves forward we understand that employee empowerment to make informed decisions about the best choices for health care and cost is very important to the agency and will become increasingly more important in sustaining affordable health care.

Why do you think partnerships are a key to success when supporting individuals with disabilities or other life challenges?
Over the past 40 years Advocates has had enormous success in cultivating caring partnerships across all walks of life.  It is a privilege for AJG to be considered such a partner and we care very much about the agency and staff.  We are one of just 131 companies on the Ethisphere list of the world’s most ethical businesses and at the end of the day our goal is serve Advocates with the same passion, dedication, and integrity that your agency and staff bring to the clients you serve.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller