Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge® Raises $3.75 Million for Domestic Violence Programs

NORTHBROOK, Ill., November 1, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Nearly 200 nonprofits stepped up as part of The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge to raise $3.75 million through online public donations and Allstate Foundation grants for domestic violence survivors around the country. The effort coincided with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, a key fundraising time for domestic violence programs.

Competing for more than $675,000 in prize funding from The Allstate Foundation, nonprofit partners participated by knocking on doors, enlisting support from mayors and college students, hosting walk/runs and auctioning off their Kerry Washington-inspired purses designed exclusively for the Challenge. One-hundred percent of all proceeds went to the nonprofits, so they can help survivors build safer lives for themselves and their families. This year’s public donation total was $1 million higher than last year’s.

Nearly three dozen additional nonprofits competed for this year’s prize money, which was increased from $500,000 in 2015. A new division structure in the 2016 competition allowed for two organizations – one large and one small – to each take home a coveted $100,000 grand prize.

The YWCA Evanston/North Shore, based in Evanston, Ill., and Safe Passage, Inc., based in Batesville, Ind., topped the leader boards in fundraising, and each walked away with the Foundation’s $100,000 grand prizes. Eighteen runners-up won prize money ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

"Domestic violence services are underfunded because most people don’t believe domestic violence is prevalent in society. No one wants to talk about it, but one in four women will experience abuse in her lifetime,” said Vicky Dinges, Allstate’s senior vice president of corporate responsibility. “The Purple Purse Challenge raises funds to ensure survivors receive services they need to break free and stay free from abuse. As a society we must bring domestic violence into the public conversation, and do more to educate people about the issue and what healthy relationships look like. Controlling another person – financially, physically, sexually or emotionally – is abuse, and it’s not okay.”

In 99 percent of domestic violence cases, victims will experience financial abuse, which means their abusers deny them access to money and financial resources they need to break free. Financial abuse is the No. 1 reason domestic violence victims stay in or return to abusive relationships.

On an average day in 2015, more than 12,000 requests for emergency shelter, childcare, financial aid and other services went unanswered because domestic violence programs across the country lacked funding. Even as demand increases, these organizations continue to operate with limited resources.

Following are the top 10 winners of this year’s Purple Purse Challenge in each division:

DIVISION I

DIVISION II

The Purple Purse Challenge is part of Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, which aims to help end domestic violence and financial abuse through financial empowerment. In its 12th year, Allstate Foundation Purple Purse continues to educate the public about how financial abuse traps victims in violent relationships. The program has propelled more than 800,000 victims on the path to safety and security, and invested more than $50 million to empower women to break free from abuse through financial education, job training and readiness and small business programs.

This Giving Tuesday, on Nov. 29, Allstate Foundation Purple Purse will conduct an online auction for five one-of-a-kind purple handbags. The Giving Tuesday auction will mark the launch of the Foundation's Purple Purse auction series, which will continue into 2017. For five days, beginning on Giving Tuesday, the Foundation will encourage shoppers to pause from the holiday season to bid on a gift that will make a difference. One-hundred percent of proceeds from the purple handbags will help domestic violence victims become #FreeToWalk. Follow @PurplePurse on Twitter for more details on the exclusive handbags and participating fashion designers. 

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.

About The Allstate Foundation:

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information, visit www.AllstateFoundation.org.