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Real Life Stories Program

THE LIFE FUND

Foundation Annual
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Real Life Stories Program

Overview: An annual program presented by Life Happens that recognizes and shares real-life stories illustrating how insurance (life, disability, long-term care) and annuities help individuals, families, and businesses navigate difficult financial times.

Purpose: Educational awareness program designed to help consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families' financial futures by featuring compelling real-world examples.

Geographic Scope: United States

Eligible Story Categories:
1. Life Insurance – Death Benefits (individual and/or workplace): Family or business whose financial situation was aided by death benefits
2. Disability or Long-Term Care Insurance (individual and/or workplace): Individual who became disabled/ill or needed long-term care services and maintained quality of life through benefits
3. Individual Life Insurance – Cash Values or Living Benefits or Critical Illness Rider: Family or business that utilized policy's cash values, living benefits, or critical illness rider
4. Annuity: Individual currently benefiting from an annuity

Eligibility:

  • Anyone can submit (financial professionals, clients, home office employees)

  • Must include an insurance policy or annuity to be eligible

  • Claim filed within past 5 years preferred (story should involve claim being paid and/or benefits accessed within past 10 years)

  • Highly recommended to include involvement of active financial professional or team member

  • Story must be original

    • What They Don't Fund:

  • This is not a funding program; it's a recognition and storytelling program

  • No monetary awards are provided

    • Selection & Judging:

  • Stories reviewed by internal Life Happens staff knowledgeable about insurance industry

  • Judged primarily on compelling nature of stories and demonstration of role/value of insurance or annuity

  • Exceptional service by financial professional is important

  • Life Happens reserves right to disqualify entries deemed inappropriate, offensive, or infringing third-party rights

  • Decisions final and binding

    • Participant Requirements:

  • Selected stories will be featured in public educational awareness campaigns

  • May include: professionally written story with photography, exclusive videos, social-media graphics, possible public speaking presentations, other collateral

  • Both financial professionals and clients may be invited to join Speaker's Bureau

  • Participants must sign consent, release forms, and liability release/affidavit of eligibility within 5 business days of selection

  • Participants responsible for all federal, state, local income and applicable taxes

  • All submissions become property of Life Happens

  • Life Happens reserves right to publicize stories in national, regional, and local media

    • Contact Information:

  • Connor Dolby, Program Manager: cdolby@lifehappens.org

  • Website: lifehappens.org/real-life-stories-application/

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Submission Format: Essay or video format

    How to Apply:
    1. Fill out online application form at lifehappens.org/reallife
    2. Include written essay OR video submission
    3. Submit directly through online portal

    Required Information:
    Applicants should summarize their story and, if possible, provide:

  • Demographics

  • How much coverage beneficiary received (figures won't be included in publication)

  • Types of policies purchased

  • How proceeds were used

  • Real names of all participants (required for publication)

    • Important Notes:

  • You do not need to be a great writer – the story is what counts

  • Submissions accepted in essay or video format

  • No cost to enter

  • All entries receive written confirmation of receipt

  • Incomplete, illegible, mutilated, or improperly transmitted entries deemed null and void

    • Alternative Submission:

  • Phone submission available: Schedule time with Real Life Stories program manager Connor Dolby for assistance

    • Post-Selection Process (if chosen):

  • 2-day video and photography production scheduled

  • Life Happens works with all participants to capture story

  • Participants must sign consent and release forms within 5 business days

  • If forms not provided within deadline, alternate recipient selected

    • Content Created:

  • Videos

  • Flyers

  • Email templates

  • Social-media graphics

  • Possible public speaking engagements

    • Contact for Questions:

  • Connor Dolby: cdolby@lifehappens.org

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