Nine foundations back nonprofit insurer with $25 million

Nine major foundations have pledged $25 million to Nonprofits Insurance Alliance to help expand stable property and casualty coverage for more than 25,000 nonprofits nationwide. The funding comes as many nonprofits face a tighter commercial insurance market that can disrupt operations and community services.

Why it matters: - Nonprofits Insurance Alliance provides property and casualty insurance to more than 25,000 nonprofits across the U.S. - The $25 million commitment is meant to strengthen access to coverage at a time when many nonprofits are struggling to find affordable, comprehensive insurance. - Insurance is an operating requirement for nonprofits, so coverage gaps can delay or block community services.

What happened: - Nine foundations committed $25 million in support of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, a nonprofit insurance cooperative based in Santa Cruz, California. - The funding comes from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, the Soros Economic Development Fund, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, The California Wellness Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. - The support was announced Sept. 15, 2026.

The details: - NIA is a 37-year-old group of nonprofit-governed insurers built by nonprofits and dedicated solely to serving the nonprofit sector. - NIA is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit. - The organization says the support will help it act as a buffer against unpredictable market changes during a period of rapid growth and change. - Pamela Davis, NIA’s founder, president and CEO, said commercial insurers often enter and exit markets to improve profits and reduce risk, leaving nonprofits and brokers scrambling when coverage is unexpectedly nonrenewed. - Kimberlee Cornett, director of impact investments at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said access to property and casualty insurance is central to nonprofits’ ability to do their work in communities. - Aifuwa Ehigiator, investments officer for program related investments at The California Endowment, said the foundation wanted to support NIA so the insurer can keep supporting nonprofits for years to come.

Between the lines: - The deal reflects a broader concern that the commercial insurance market is not reliably serving mission-driven organizations. - Foundation capital is being used here as infrastructure support, not just program funding, to stabilize a core service that nonprofits need to operate. - The backing also signals confidence in sector-specific insurers that can focus on long-term retention and tailored coverage instead of short-term market swings.

What's next: - NIA says the funding will help expand an essential source of insurance for nonprofits now and in the future. - The company also expects to continue offering fair and equitable pricing, specialized coverages, dividends and risk-management resources to member organizations. - NIA directs organizations to learn more about its services.