Community Over Self | Security Benefit's Tradition of Community Support

By KIM GRONNIGER

Eleven men gathered around an ice cream table in December 1891 with $11 between them. After pooling their money, they formed a plan to help Topekans suffering financial hardships. In February 1892, they chartered the Knights & Ladies of Security, the company that would later become Security Benefit and continues giving back to the community today.

“Our founders changed the insurance industry and provided coverage for men and women on an equal basis, a rarity at that time,” said Doug Wolff, CEO of Security Benefit. “Their commitment to philanthropy is a key part of our culture.”

PIONEERING COMMUNITY CARE

The company’s founders created a first-of-its-kind community campus on Martin Hill. Knights & Ladies of Security members were asked to contribute extra nickels to create a hospital, hotel, senior citizens home, orphanage, powerhouse and farm where members could receive services. The hospital was housed in a building modeled after Independence Hall and its clock tower remains one of Topeka’s most recognizable landmarks.

In 1976, J.H. Abrahams, former Security Benefit president and chairman of the board, created the Charitable Trust Foundation with $100,000 to give to nonprofits. Today the Charitable Trust gives $900,000 annually to community causes, primarily in Topeka and Lawrence but also in Overland Park and Des Moines, where the company has offices.

The Charitable Trust is overseen by 11 employees who represent different divisions of the company and consider requests in five categories: art, children, community, education and health.

“One of our five core values is community over self, and I think that’s the one we excel at the most,“ Doug said. “Our Charitable Trust committee members take great pride in their service and make hard decisions on how to best distribute funds to meet growing needs. Many of our employees volunteer in their communities and live this core value with their time, treasure and talent.”

The company’s Dollars for Hours program, run through the Charitable Trust, rewards employees for their volunteer service by providing stipends from $150 to $450 for their favorite causes based on hours volunteered.

UNITED FOR GOOD

The United Way of Kaw Valley is one of the company’s primary funding areas. For 14 years, Security Benefit has been a platinum sponsor for the Nancy Perry Day of Caring and provided books to Shawnee County preschool students.

Security Benefit has been the lead corporate donor for the United Way of Kaw Valley for two years running, with the Charitable Trust giving $110,000 as an employee match to encourage contributions and participation.

Doug serves on the board of directors and chairs the agency’s 2025-2026 campaign. He learned about the United Way early in his career when he sought guidance from his parents about which charities to support.

“I was overwhelmed by the number of nonprofits needing assistance and my parents, who had been longtime supporters of the United Way, encouraged me to give to the organization,” Doug said. “My dad told me that their oversight would allow my single contribution to benefit multiple agencies and further their work. I’ve continued to support United Way efforts ever since.”

The company’s annual campaign features a variety of activities, including a popular airplane toss aimed at prize targets in the company’s atrium.

The most popular event is the annual Chopped Challenge, sponsored with Harvesters to educate employees about food insecurity. Four-person teams have 30 minutes to prepare and plate entrees, desserts and side dishes using typical food pantry ingredients.

A panel of judges, including Doug, a Harvesters executive and White Linen chef Adam VanDonge, selects the winners.

The company even brings employees together for an annual SB Cares Day to support nonprofit needs.

“Coworkers visiting about activities they’re participating in, inside and outside of work, leads to better collaboration and more camaraderie,” Doug said.

SUPPORTING QUALITY OF LIFE

Doug served on the GO Topeka and chamber boards for several years. He says that corporate investment in local quality-of-life projects has led to a positive shift in Topeka’s business climate.

“In the past, the primary focus seemed to be on bringing new businesses to the area with tax incentives, but now there’s a more balanced effort that incorporates attracting the right talent to the area to support businesses that are already here,” he said.

Doug also credits the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Momentum 2022 and 2027 plans with bringing people together to make improvements, especially downtown.

“The community moved from being its own worst critic to embracing optimism,” he said. “Companies have come together to create opportunities for a better quality of life that will keep our best college graduates in the area.”

Security Benefit sponsored a pocket park and recently donated funds to create an ice-skating rink at Evergy Plaza. The company has made major gifts for a new Topeka Zoo exhibit, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center’s expansion, the Kids Library renovation at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library and SENT programs to lift people out of poverty. They’re also a lead sponsor for the American Cancer Society’s Couture for Cancer, an event where cancer survivors walk the runway to celebrate the end of their treatment.

“Quality of life in Topeka is definitely on an upward trajectory,” Doug said. “There was a span of years when a lot of young people went off to college and felt they needed to leave for bigger cities, but now students are thinking that Topeka could be a place where they want to stay and raise families after graduation.”

Security Benefit supports Forge, the city’s young professional group and internship program, to promote positive perceptions of the city.

“Bringing all the companies together to get interns acquainted with one another, and creating opportunities for them to explore what’s here, is a huge benefit for the participants and for us,” Doug said. “We love it when we can hire an intern into a full-time position.

CHAMPIONING EDUCATORS AND EDUCATION

The company helps teachers and school district employees with retirement plans. Security Benefit employees volunteer each spring to introduce students of all ages to business concepts through Junior Achievement of Kansas. The company partners with area universities and has invested $500,000 in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program, honoring more than 3,000 teachers since the program started.

Security Benefit matches employee gifts to schools and universities up to $3,500 per person per year.

LIVING THE CULTURE DAILY

He says that Security Benefit’s emphasis on community over self shows up not only in planned company activities, but also in spontaneous acts of generosity.

During the government shutdown in November, several departments independently held food drives for Let’s Help and gave extra money to the United Way of Kaw Valley to restock pantries. Employees have given money to the American Red Cross to help individuals affected by natural disasters, donated diapers and adopted families through the Christmas Bureau.

“I think our founders would be pleased to see how well our company and our employees have embraced their commitment to helping people facing hardships,” Doug said. “Seeing what’s been made possible with an initial $11 investment more than 130 years ago underscores how gifts of any size at any time can have an incredible, long-lasting impact on individuals when they’re pooled together for the greater good.”

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