Encova in the Community
Our associates take pride in being involved in the communities where we operate. We show our corporate caring initiative through our participation in a wide variety of community activities, and we offer opportunities for our associates to become involved through our organization’s two foundations.
The Encova Foundations
Encova aspires to be an outstanding corporate citizen in all locations and markets we serve. Through the Encova Foundation of Ohio and the Encova Foundation of West Virginia, we support local causes that are strategically managed and mirror the values and interests of our associates, agents and policyholders. We commit to causes greater than ourselves and partner with organizations that truly transform lives.
The Encova foundations focus on improving communities and families, promoting education and encouraging wellness. Embedded in our focus is a commitment to helping children succeed, improving our communities and supporting industry initiatives.
Preference will be given to organizations that:
- Provide volunteer opportunities for our associates.
- Have an Encova associate involved as a board member, committee member, long-time volunteer or active partner.
- Demonstrate strong financial management and governance in accordance with the Better Business Bureau accreditation guidelines.
- Impact communities where our associates work and live.
- Align with our giving pillars of health, education, children and equity.
Causes not supported include:
- Political candidates, committees or organizations.
- Those not recognized as charitable by the Internal Revenue Service code section 501(c)(3).
- Organizations that discriminate against people because of age, race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, ethnicity or national origin; or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
- Those that serve only their own memberships (such as fraternal, labor, social or religious organizations).
If you are interested in funding from the Encova Foundation of Ohio, please make note of the review cycle deadlines and apply online.
Review cycles
Review cycles provide the foundation committee sufficient time to review applications and request additional information if needed. Any applications received after the application deadline will be considered in the next cycle.
| Review cycle 1 | Review cycle 2 | ||
| Application deadline | Feb. 1 | Application deadline | May 1 |
| Decision communicated by | March 15 | Decision communicated by | June 15 |
| Review cycle 3 | Review cycle 4 | ||
| Application deadline | Aug. 1 | Application deadline | Nov. 1 |
| Decision communicated by | Sept. 15 | Decision communicated by | Dec. 15 |
Preference will be given to organizations that impact health, education, safety and children. Additionally, organizations with Encova associates involved as a board member, committee, long-time volunteer or active partner will be given a preference.
Causes not supported include:
- Political candidates, committees or organizations.
- Those not recognized as charitable by the Internal Revenue Service code section 501(c)(3).
- Organizations that discriminate against people because of age, race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, ethnicity or national origin; or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
- Those that serve only their own memberships (such as fraternal, labor, social or religious organizations).
If you are interested in funding from the Encova Foundation of West Virginia, please make note of the review cycle deadlines and apply online.
Review cycles
Review cycles provide the foundation committee sufficient time to review applications and request additional information if needed. Any applications received after the application deadline will be considered in the next cycle.
| Review cycle 1 | Review cycle 2 | ||
| Application deadline | March 31 | Application deadline | June 30 |
| Decision communicated by | April 30 | Decision communicated by | July 31 |
| Review cycle 3 | Review cycle 4 | ||
| Application deadline | Sept. 30 | Application deadline | Dec. 31 |
| Decision communicated by | Oct. 31 | Decision communicated by | Jan. 31 |
Scholarships
Since 2015, the Encova Foundation of West Virginia, formerly BrickStreet Foundation, has invested over $8 million to establish a variety of endowed scholarships across West Virginia. These scholarships provide freedom for many students to pursue their passion without being burdened by significant debt. Schools include: West Virginia State University, Fairmont State University, Marshall University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Bridge Valley Community & Technical School, Blue Ridge Community & Technical School, Shepherd University and West Virginia University.
Our organization has been a proud supporter of central Ohio's high school scholar athletes since 2007. Since then, we’ve donated more than $720,000 in scholarships and transformed many young lives. The program honors the top male and female scholar athletes at more than 100 central Ohio high schools.
These young people have shown leadership on the field, in the classroom and, most importantly, in our communities. It’s a great honor to recognize their commitment and to support their education as they help shape our community. Encova recognizes that these are our future leaders.
Established in 2005 with funds contributed by the family of Mr. Williams and Encova, formerly Motorists Insurance Group, the Cameron E. Williams Memorial Scholarship assists a college student each year who is actively seeking a career in risk management, insurance or an insurance-related field.
Mr. Williams was a former Chairman of Motorists Insurance Group and a past president of the Columbus C.P.C.U. Society, The Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and Ohio Insurance Institute.
In April 2013, after more than 40 years of service, John Bishop retired as an associate with Motorists Insurance Group, now Encova Insurance. To honor his tenure, heritage of superior service and commitment to our community, The John J. Bishop and Motorists Insurance Group Endowed Scholarship Fund was created with gifts from the Bishop family and Motorists.
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) was founded in 1950 by business executives and college presidents who recognized that a central organization conducting annual solicitations of corporations and foundations to support Ohio's non-tax-supported colleges would enhance fundraising efficiency. Ohio's independent colleges graduate students with the skills necessary to make significant, positive changes in industry, education, health care and the arts and sciences. OFIC raises unrestricted, scholarship and program funds for its 34 institutions so they can provide learning opportunities for individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds. Encova is a proud supporter of OFIC with a relationship dating back to the 1960s.
Women account for 37% of students in supply chain courses, yet only for 5% of C-suite executives in Fortune 500 companies. In comparison, women hold 15% of executive officer positions at Fortune 500 firms. While there is a relative balance of men/women at the undergraduate level, the imbalance at senior leadership levels is dramatic.
Regardless of these factors, there is strong support for the idea of enhancing the pathways to success for women in supply chain as a means of enhancing the aggregate skill set. This program, offered by the Management Sciences Department, is a combination scholarship and experiential engagement program that introduces female undergraduates to supply chain careers earlier in their college experience and provides them with opportunities to engage with industry executives in a mentoring capacity.
Encova is a charter supporter of this program and helped launch this initiative in 2016.
In April 2016, Encova Insurance, then Motorists Insurance Group, established an endowed scholarship with Ohio University’s Business College to honor Charles (Chuck) Wickert, former Senior Vice President. The endowed scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship annually.