Allstate Foundation Awards $1.25 Million to Programs to Empower Domestic Violence and Financial Abuse Victims

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Allstate Foundation announced today it is awarding $1.25 million in Moving Ahead grants to state domestic violence coalitions under its Purple Purse^® initiative. The grants will enable the coalitions to provide financial empowerment resources for nearly 500,000 domestic violence survivors to help them break free from abuse.

"People often wonder why victims don't just leave their abusive relationships, but often it's the tremendous financial challenges that keep them trapped," said Vicky Dinges, Allstate's senior vice president of corporate responsibility. "Without financial resources, victims are unable to care for themselves and their families, find employment and housing, or save for the future. By getting these much-needed funds in the hands of community organizations that help domestic violence survivors every single day, we hope to empower them to provide the tools and education survivors need to overcome abuse and reclaim their lives."

The Moving Ahead grants are awarded to 24 state domestic violence coalitions across the country. The funds will support job training, matched-savings programs, zero or low-interest loans, credit-building services and financial education to help domestic violence survivors prepare for a safe way out from abusive relationships. The primary financial empowerment tool used to teach these financial literacy skills is the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Moving Ahead curriculum, available for trainers and advocates to download for free in English and Spanish on PurplePurse.com and espanol.PurplePurse.com.

"We've had the much-needed support of The Allstate Foundation since the beginning as we developed innovative approaches to financial empowerment for survivors," said Mary O'Doherty, Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence's deputy director. "The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Moving Ahead grants helped us start micro loan and matched savings programs for survivors who need to purchase cars. These critical resources have a huge impact on the ability of survivors to achieve a better future, and we're grateful for the continued support as we continually look to expand our impact."

According to a 2018 Allstate Foundation Purple Purse national survey, nearly half of Americans aren't familiar with financial abuse as a form of domestic violence, even though it occurs in 99 percent of abusive relationships and it's one of the top reasons why victims can't "just leave." Financial abuse tactics include preventing victims from working or keeping them from accessing bank accounts, credit cards or cash. In addition to a lack of public awareness of financial abuse, only 34 percent of Americans would know how to help if they suspected a family member or friend were a victim of financial abuse as part of a domestic violence situation.  

Started in 2005, The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse program, has invested over $60 million to raise public awareness of financial abuse and provide critical financial empowerment services. For over a decade, the program has empowered more than 1.3 million survivors on the road to safety and security through educational resources.

For updates on Allstate Foundation Purple Purse initiatives, follow Purple Purse on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Purple Purse is a signature program of The Allstate Foundation, an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation works to create more prosperous communities where people are inspired and empowered to fulfill their hopes and dreams by breaking the cycle of domestic violence, inspiring the next generation of leaders, closing the nonprofit leadership gap and honoring Allstate volunteers. More information on The Allstate Foundation is available at AllstateFoundation.org. 

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

SOURCE The Allstate Foundation