Corporate Citizenship
Athene Holding Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively, Athene) is committed to giving back to the communities in which its employees live and work. Our Corporate Responsibility programming revolves around supporting organizations for which employees invest their time and resources as volunteers. In addition, employees can support their communities through a variety of corporate volunteer efforts – many related to Athene’s partnership with United Way.
Jim Belardi’s Commitment to Community
The spirit of our company and its commitment to the community is due in large part to our CEO and founder, Jim Belardi. From the Belardi Pool at Stanford University to a new state-of-the art Aquatics Center at Servite High School, Jim provides the impetus to get things done. He is an advocate for cancer research and spoke at a City of Hope fundraiser for Dr. Stephen J. Forman’s research on Immunotherapy in New York. In addition to his generosity in the community, Jim has been honored with the Tower of Hope award, given by the Tower Cancer Research Foundation. The foundation created a video sharing Jim’s story as a leukemia survivor and his passionate zest for life.
Volunteerism
Athene USA’s volunteer program continues to evolve and grow. The Athene Volunteer Committee helps guide, plan and execute company volunteer and service-oriented initiatives. The Volunteer Committee is comprised of a group of passionate employees who plan a variety of programs each year in which employees can participate, including our “Spread some love” food drive that helps provide students in need with meals throughout the weekends, Athene Volunteer Week, an annual “Stuff the Bus” children’s book drive that supports United Way of Central Iowa’s literacy programs, a school supplies drive that provides low-income students the supplies they need to have a successful school year, and Adopt-a-Family, through which employees purchase toys and essential household items that serve as holiday gifts for local families in need.
United Way Campaign
Athene and its employees are committed to supporting United Way. During the company’s annual campaign in 2017, Athene exceeded its highest contribution goal by 14 percent and reached an impressive 89 percent pledge participation rate. Pledges and donations from employees and the Athene USA Foundation support United Way’s priority areas of education, income and health. On United Way’s “Day of Action,” 190 Athene employees volunteered to read to students to support United Way’s “Read to Succeed” program, lend a hand at Habitat for Humanity or build a literacy kit to share with elementary schools throughout Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding communities. Notable recognition includes:
- United Way of Central Iowa Spirit Award, 2019
- United Way of Central Iowa Game-Changer Award, 2018
- United Way of Central Iowa Impact-Maker Award, 2018
- United Way of Central Iowa Spirit Award, 2017
- United Way of Central Iowa Advocate Award, 2016
- United Way of Central Iowa Volunteer Award, 2016
Coats & Boots – Athene’s Signature Program
Athene continues the long-standing tradition of its predecessor companies. In 2018, we will celebrate our 25th year of providing new, properly-fitting coats and boots to students to help them face Iowa’s cold winter weather. In 2017, we outfitted more than 1,500 students at four Des Moines elementary schools, which were chosen based on the needs of the students and families who attend them. We donated additional coats and boots to West Des Moines Human Services Clothing Closet, making them available to low-income Iowa families free of charge.
Corporate Social Responsibility Programs
The Athene USA Charitable Foundation is committed to recognizing and supporting the charitable efforts of Athene employees, which is why we give back to the charities for which employees volunteer their time and donate personal funds. Through the Athene Dollars for Doers Program, qualifying non-profit organizations can receive a grant based on the number of service hours completed for that organization by an employee. Athene’s Matching Gift Program is designed to encourage employees to contribute financially to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations by matching donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Athene Military Veterans Organization
Athene USA formed the Athene Military Veterans Organization (AMVO) to assist in recruiting qualified military veterans for successful careers with Athene, promoting internal networking and events and participating in community outreach programs. The Veterans page provides more information on Athene’s drive to support and hire America’s veterans.
Environment
Athene USA’s West Des Moines headquarters achieved a Gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2011. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system.