Januray 8, 2004

While the year 2003 brought the Kemper Insurance Companies the most dramatic changes in the organization’s history, a key component of the Kemper legacy will continue to perform its important mission into the future.

In October 2003, the James S. Kemper Foundation moved from its Long Grove headquarters to a downtown Chicago address – the Civic Opera Building, 20 North Wacker Drive – that for decades was known as the Kemper Insurance Building. James Scott Kemper, founder and first chairman of the board of the Kemper Insurance Companies, kept his office at the top of the building until his death. Now, the foundation which bears his name will pursue its ongoing mission from the same historic location.

“We will continue to sponsor a Kemper Scholars program,” said Dr. Tom Hellie, executive director of the James S. Kemper Foundation. “While the program may change, the Foundation will continue to give scholarships and provide mentoring support to college undergraduates.”

A key component of the Kemper Scholars program was the placement of students in summer internships within the Kemper organization. Given the dramatic changes that have occurred within the company, there will be no further internships at Kemper. However, the foundation is presently seeking summer internship partnerships with other Chicago-area corporations. Suggestions or leads regarding internship opportunities are welcomed and may be sent to: thellie@jskemper.org.

The foundation received its founding support from the Kemper family and the Kemper Insurance Companies in 1942. Today, the foundation manages an endowment of $35 million and receives no funding from the Kemper Insurance Companies. Supported by contributions and support from a variety of sources, the foundation will pursue its educational mission for an indefinite future.

“We plan to spend the next few months reassessing all of our programs and developing a new strategic plan,” Tom said. “I don’t anticipate drastic changes. We will continue to support higher education, but we will be looking closely at our priorities and our future.

“Finally, everyone associated with the James S. Kemper Foundation is thankful indeed for the special relationship the Kemper Scholar program had with the Kemper Insurance Companies over the years, especially the summer internship program,” Tom said. “The program has made a difference in the lives of generations of deserving college students. Today, we are looking ahead to an ongoing opportunity, and obligation, to fashion a new Kemper Scholar program that will be equally meaningful to future generations of college students."