Odyssey’s Annual Promise For 2024

At Odyssey Advisors, we believe everyone has a unique way of giving back, especially during the holiday season. For us, it’s about empowering our team to make a difference. Each year, we invite each team member to choose a charity – or two – they’re passionate about, and we donate 1% of our total gross revenue to those causes on their behalf.

This tradition was inspired by a 2019 holiday giving column by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times. Kristof shared how his family collaborates each year to select the charities they support. At Odyssey, we’ve adapted the idea to include our entire team, giving them the freedom to direct our giving in ways that reflect their values.

Our goal isn’t to spotlight ourselves but to celebrate the incredible organizations that our team supports. By sharing their choices, we hope to shine a light on these causes and perhaps inspire others to explore new ways of incorporating philanthropy into their lives or businesses. 

Here are the amazing organizations our team chose to support this year: 

George Pocock Rowing Foundation

The George Pocock Rowing Foundation is dedicated to introducing adolescents – particularly those from underrepresented populations – to the sport of rowing. Through various initiatives, the foundation provides opportunities for young people to learn about and experience rowing. 

“A few years ago I joined my city’s community rowing program where we share a boathouse with the public high school. I’ve been able to see how important and transformative it is to some of these kids, and it’s also a huge scholarship opportunity, particularly for young women. Unfortunately, rowing is an expensive and often homogenous and inaccessible sport. I chose the George Pocock Rowing Foundation as one of my charities this year because their mission is to give kids who never would have had the chance to try rowing the opportunity.” – Kirby Prigioni, Marketing Analyst

Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association seeks to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. 

“I chose the Alzheimer’s Association because my great-grandfather had Alzheimer’s. It’s a horrible disease that I believe can be cured in the near future with the right funding and awareness.” – Andrew Taggart, Consulting Actuary

Love One International

Love One exists to transform the lives of children and families in Uganda through life-saving medical care, family preservation, and sharing the love of Jesus. 

“When someone needs emergency medical treatment in the U.S., we can pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1, go to the nearest E.R., or even hop on a video call with your doctor. But that isn’t the case all over the world. In remote areas of Uganda, medical treatment isn’t readily available like it is here. When children in these villages become critically ill because of malnourishment or infections like malaria or HIV, their parents are left feeling hopeless. This is where Love One steps in. 

As a previous ambassador for Love One, I’ve gotten to see the work they do and experience the passion their team has. It’s truly inspiring. No child should ever die from treatable conditions. That’s why I continue to choose this charity each year” – Stephanie Irvin, Digital Content Manager

Save All Dogs Rescue

Save All Dogs Rescue offers a safe haven for unwanted, homeless, and abandoned dogs and cats from kill shelters that are in need of new loving forever homes. 

“Save All Dogs Rescue in Manchester, CT is my charity of choice. I started volunteering there in 2021 and have seen first-hand the sheer volume of animals that they rescue! They regularly take trips to kill shelters down south (where unaltered animals are much more common and therefore they have an unprecedented number of unwanted/abandoned animals) and transport them back to CT where they get regular vet care, proper nutrition, exercise, socialization, etc. 

Watching the animals learn to trust, feel love for the first time, and find homes that spoil them is such a moving experience. These dogs and cats offer companionship, unwavering love, entertainment, and so much more to the hundreds of families who adopt. 

In the immortal words of Bob Barker, “help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered!” – Samantha Schneider, Actuarial Consultant

Mission of deeds

Mission of Deeds is a volunteer-supported nonprofit that provides furniture, kitchen items, and basic household goods, to those leaving homelessness and others in need throughout Massachussetts. 

“Mission of Deeds is a great organization based out of Massachusetts, where I’m from that helps provide household items to impoverished families.” – Caleb White, Actuarial Consultant

People First

People 1st is a non-profit corporation providing a community that supports men who have demonstrated a substantial commitment to their own sobriety by having completed an extended rehab program. This community provides ongoing support and encouragement to stay sober around three major themes; renew, restore and rebuild.

“I choose People 1st because they help people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction as they take the step back into ordinary life after an intensive rehab program. They focus on creating work environments that support recovery and help people to rediscover a sense of meaning in work, recovery, and life.” – Kurtis Thompson, Consulting Actuary 

No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry works to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. This year we had 3 of our team choose this organization to support. 

“I chose No Kid Hungry as my organization because I really like their approach to fighting child hunger, especially the way that they provide grants which help schools offer free meals for their students.  They also work with educators and lawmakers in order to generate the funding necessary for schools to offer breakfast so that no kid has to go through the school day hungry.” – Luke Matchett, Actuarial Consultant

“While there are so many things in life to worry about, finding the next meal for your child shouldn’t be one of them. By choosing No Kid Hungry, I am trying to help guarantee that every child receives the nourishment they need to flourish in other aspects of life.” – Caleb White, Actuarial Consultant

“No Kid Hungry is dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger. They employ various strategies to achieve this, such as supporting school breakfast programs and summer meal initiatives, advocating for legislative improvements in existing programs, and educating individuals on budget-friendly shopping techniques. 

I chose this organization because I believe the work they are doing is so important, particularly in times like these when hardship is widespread. It’s good to know that while kids can’t help their situation, efforts are being made to ensure they are fed.” – Kirby Prigioni, Marketing Analyst

Fight for the Forgotten

Fight for the Forgotten is dedicated to defending the weak, loving the unloved, and empowering the voiceless around the world and in our own neighborhoods and schools. 

“Numerous individuals globally struggle to access essential resources such as water and food. Fight for the Forgotten is committed to constructing wells and establishing sustainable farming in the Pygmies in Congo, aiming to alleviate their poverty, suffering, and enslavement. As a modestly sized charity, it strives to dedicate maximum resources with minimal overhead costs.” – Francis Fraine, Actuarial Consultant

Thank you for making this possible

Every year, we’re humbled to support these incredible organizations, even in small ways. The gratitude we receive truly belongs to our team and our clients – without their dedication and trust, none of this would be possible. Together, we’re able to turn shared values into meaningful actions, demonstrating how collective effort can lead to real change. 

As we reflect on another season of giving, we’re reminded of the power of generosity, no matter the size. It’s a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal. To our team and clients: thank you for being the driving force behind these contributions. Your kindness and commitment inspire everything we do.