Case Study: Safeco Insurance

Diversity Scholar speaking at Safeco Field.

In 2002, Safeco Insurance hired FPN to help raise $1 million over a five-year period to benefit the University of Washington’s Diversity Scholars Program.  The Safeco Scholarship Fund was established, and in 2003 more than 400 people attended the kick-off event, raising in excess of $280,000.  In 2004 the event grew to more than 600 attendees and raised an additional $380,000.  When it became clear that the $1 million goal would be reached well before the five year deadline, Safeco raised the benchmark to $1.5 million.  The $1.5 million goal was reached when over 900 people attended the 2005 event, and has provided four-year scholarships to 54 exceptional minority students entering the UW. 

The Safeco Scholarship Fund event took place each year on the grass at Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners.  Special entertainment included the live broadcast of major league baseball’s all star game, the Mariner Moose, batting cages, speed pitching machines and dancing by the world famous Seattle Mariners Grounds Crew. The highlight of each event occurred when student speakers took the stage.  These young people shared personal stories about how the Safeco Scholarship Fund had changed their lives, and their plans to give back to their communities.