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5 unique ways one of Birmingham’s oldest companies invests in local people, neighborhoods + organizations
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By now, we all know about Protective Stadium, but you may not realize just how essential community engagement is to Birmingham-based Protective Life Corporation. We talked with Eva Robertson, head of the Protective Life Foundation, to learn more about why being a strong corporate and community partner is baked into Protective’s DNA.
1. Honoring the core value to “Serve People”
When we recently went to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama’s West Homewood warehouse, we found at least 20 volunteers from Protective enthusiastically packing boxes as part of a company-organized day of service.
Robertson explained that Protective pays for four hours of service time a year for employees to get involved in their community in whatever way they choose.
“We try to get all of our employees engaged in community service. We have community work days and internal events where people who work in the call center write notes to students at a local school who are on the academic honors list or prepare craft kits for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
We want to get as many employees as we can out into the community to meet these nonprofits so they can better understand the needs and help them find their place for giving back.”
Eva Robertson, VP Community Relations & Executive Director of the Protective Life Foundation at Protective Life Corporation
Looking for a new place to work? Protective is hiring.
2. Investing in all things education
Protective volunteers at Phillips Academy downtown. (Protective)
Protective contributes to local education in a number of ways, including:
- Reading at Phillips Academy every month
- Serving on boards or advisory committees for education-focused programs in town, including:
- Hosting the Mark Cuban AI Bootcamp, which helps high schoolers develop vital skills for careers in IT
3. Promoting access to healthcare
Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham. (Protective)
Protective employees are involved in a number of organizations improving access to healthcare, including:
- Children’s of Alabama—Rich Bielen, Protective’s President and CEO, currently serves as chairman of the board.
- Project Horseshoe Farm in Greensboro—makes sure people have equitable access to healthcare in the Black Belt.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama—a group of volunteers goes every month to prepare a meal for parents whose children are in the hospital nearby.
4. Protecting Good near Protective Stadium
Working to improve the neighborhoods around Protective Stadium is part of Protecting Good. Protecting good has involved many great people, including the Mayor. (Protective)
“So far, Protecting Good has provided 61 homes in neighborhoods near Protective Stadium with roofs, and there are more to come. We also show up for cleanup days. We watch football games with neighborhood leaders. We’re getting to know these neighbors by being involved in their communities. We love being involved all the way from the big stuff to bringing our families to help pick up trash.”
Eva Robertson, VP Community Relations & Executive Director of the Protective Life Foundation at Protective Life Corporation
5. Investing over $4M per year in community organizations
“Protective Life Corporation was founded in Birmingham in 1907. From the very beginning, we’ve been focused on contributing to this area. In some markets, our gift and giving levels would make only a small difference.
In Birmingham, our giving level makes a big difference. We’re very aware of that and how giving thoughtfully in this market can change things. We try to make sure we’re focused so that where we’re giving is going to make a difference.”
Eva Robertson, VP Community Relations & Executive Director of the Protective Life Foundation at Protective Life Corporation
Want to work for a company that’s dedicated to giving back? Protective is hiring.
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