Avery Hall Insurance and the Selective Insurance Group Foundation partnered to support the efforts of the Make Delmarva Foundation through a $500 grant. The Make Delmarva Foundation was selected by Avery Hall Insurance Group for the grant as part of the Selective President’s Club Matching Gift initiative, which allows premier independent insurance agents the opportunity to double their donations and make a bigger impact in their local communities.

The President’s Club Matching Gift program is run by the Selective Insurance Group Foundation, which is a philanthropic affiliate of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. Together with President’s Club agencies, such as Avery Hall Insurance, the Foundation has supported thousands of community-based and national nonprofits in regions across the country since its inception in 2002.

The grant represents a $250 donation from Avery Hall, matched by a $250 gift from The Selective Insurance Group Foundation. The grant will help the Make Delmarva Foundation’s efforts to support their M4Reactor initiative, which is Delmarva’s only makerspace. Their workshop is a place where community members can create and collaborate while learning about new technologies and tools made available.

The donation was presented to Make Delmarva Foundation President, Jim Leether. Jim hopes to breathe new life into M4Reactor after the COVID-19 pandemic greatly delayed the construction and opening date for the new makerspace. By getting more involved in local community events, starting dialogues with makers around Delmarva, and spreading the word about M4Reactor’s services, he believes M4Reactor can be a creative hub for the Salisbury area and beyond, welcoming everyone from the most basic crafter to the more seasoned engineer.

“President’s Club agents are not only proud Selective Insurance partners, but are ambassadors in strengthening our communities and keeping them safe – a core mission shared with Selective,” said Robert Redden, Vice President, Distribution Strategies and Insurance Learning Services, Selective Insurance. “As an insurer that focuses on maintaining a human connection in every interaction, we are passionate about partnering with our agents to recognize impactful organizations in their communities and rally behind Avery Hall Insurance Group in their support of the Make Delmarva Foundation’s M4Reactor initiative.”

Now in its twentieth year, the Selective President’s Club Matching Gift program has more than doubled in size and scale. It has grown from supporting organizations in 11 states in 2002 to supporting charities in every corner of the country. Last year, the Foundation granted more than $34,000 to 74 charities, doubling the donations made by Selective’s top agencies, dollar for dollar. The initiative aims to support organizations that work to empower safe, sustainable, just, and diverse communities.