DENVER, May 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Janus Foundation revealed that Freedom Service Dogs of America will receive $75,000 as the winner of the inaugural J-Tank challenge, which will channel a total of $220,000 to non-profit organizations nominated by Janus Capital Group Inc. (NYSE:JNS) employees.
The inaugural J-Tank challenge allowed the Janus Foundation, which has distributed more than $38 million to non-profits since its inception in 1994, to directly benefit causes that matter personally to its employee community. Employees submitted more than 55 proposals and Janus employees voted on the submissions and selected nine finalists, each of which will receive $5,000.
"I feel immensely proud to be part of a company where so many people have so much passion to work for their communities," said Janus Chief Executive Officer Dick Weil.
Tiphani Krueger, President of the Janus Foundation and Executive Vice President, Human Resources, at Janus Capital Group, was joined on the May 24 judging panel by former Denver Broncos player Reggie Rivers; Nelson Garcia, Education Reporter at Denver’s NBC affiliate 9 News; philanthropic strategist Bruce DeBoskey, owner of The DeBoskey Group; and Monica Mendoza, who writes about finance, banking and law for the Denver Business Journal.
"J-Tank has been a truly uplifting experience and it should inspire everyone involved to know that their hard work will benefit so many worthwhile causes," said Krueger. "I want to extend a huge thank you to all the Janus employees who submitted proposals and to those who voted for them, along with my deep gratitude to our judges for their time and deliberations."
Sponsored by Katy Foster, an Executive Assistant at Janus, Freedom Service Dogs of America rescues and trains dogs to help veterans and non-veterans with physical and/or mental disabilities lead a more productive life. http://freedomservicedogs.org/
"It’s impossible not to see the good in taking unloved dogs and training them to help improve the lives of those who have given so much for their country and for each one of us," said Rivers. "It’s just special."
First runner-up The Joshua School will benefit from a $40,000 donation. Proposed by Janus employee David Schrock, Vice President, Senior Managing Director, the Joshua School’s Denver campuses help children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities by providing a smaller, more controlled environment. http://www.joshuaschool.org/
Second runner-up The Chicago Jesuit School will receive $25,000. Sponsored by Tom Reynolds, a Portfolio Manager at Janus’s Perkins unit, the school provides access to a college preparatory middle school education in the Jesuit tradition to children with educational and economic needs. https://www.chicagojesuitacademy.org/
In a final-day surprise, the J-Tank fund got a $25,000 boost as each judge made an extra $5,000 award to their favorite presentation. The Cody Unser First Step Foundation received $10,000 thanks to endorsements from Rivers and Mendoza, Garcia and DeBoskey each chose the GEANCO Foundation, while Krueger opted for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Freedom Service Dogs of America, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and A Kids' Brain Tumor Cure Foundation will split a further $10,000 after tying for the most votes cast in the employees’ choice category.
About the J-Tank Finalists
Cody Unser First Step Foundation
This global not-for-profit is dedicated to raising research funds, public awareness and the quality of life for those afflicted with spinal-cord related paralysis. Sponsored by Janus employee Courtney Toevs, Senior Investment Data Analyst. http://cufsf.org/
The GEANCO Foundation
GEANCO conducts joint replacement surgery and fights anemia in Nigeria, where it is developing a world-class hospital. It also provides six-year scholarships to female victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Sponsored by Janus employee Megan Hopps, Vice President. http://www.geanco.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading national not-for-profit dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy. Sponsored by Janus employee Lisa Neison, Executive Assistant. http://afsp.org/
A Kids' Brain Tumor Cure Foundation
The foundation aims to find a cure for the number one cause of cancer death in children -- one of the least researched and underfunded types of pediatric cancer. Sponsored by Janus employees Janis Preese, Senior Data Privacy Analyst; Sheri Nystedt, Senior Compliance Manager; and Steve Colby, Senior Security Analyst. http://akidsbraintumorcure.org/
The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
After Col. John Michael McHugh – the brother of James McHugh, Senior Managing Director Client Relations at Janus unit INTECH – was killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 18, 2010, his West Point classmates raised money to send his children to college. The mission now pays college tuition for the children of any fallen soldier, spouses and for returning veterans. http://www.johnnymac.org/
INROADS
INROADS helps talented students throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico to become high-performing contributors in the workplace through programs including its College Intern Program. Sponsored by Janus employee Terrence Crumpton, Financial Reporting Supervisor. https://www.inroads.org/
About the Janus Foundation
Since 1994, The Janus Foundation has been the primary giving arm of Janus Capital Group Inc. Its mission is to help children succeed and achieve their goals and aspirations through education, as well as to support communities and organizations in the U.S. and globally. In past years, our support has gone to relief efforts in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the tsunamis in Japan and Thailand, the earthquakes in Nepal, Colorado wildfires and more. We believe the path to a better world starts at home. As such, we've fostered a corporate culture of social awareness and volunteerism among our employees that has enabled us to extend our philanthropic reach to thousands of deserving organizations. Our people are empowered to give through our Matching Gift Program and volunteerism is fostered through company events and an allotment of Community Investment Time. https://www.janus.com/community
About Janus Capital Group Inc.
Janus Capital Group Inc. ("JCG") is a global investment firm dedicated to delivering better outcomes for clients through a broad range of actively managed and smart beta investment solutions, including fixed income, equity, alternative and multi-asset class strategies. It does so through a number of distinct asset management platforms, including investment teams within Janus Capital Management LLC ("Janus"), as well as INTECH Investment Management LLC ("INTECH"), Perkins Investment Management LLC ("Perkins") and Kapstream Capital Pty Limited (“Kapstream”), in addition to a suite of exchange-traded products. Each team brings distinct asset class expertise, perspective, style-specific experience and a disciplined approach to risk. Investment strategies are offered through open-end funds domiciled in both the U.S. and offshore, as well as through separately managed accounts, collective investment trusts and exchange-traded products. At the end of March 2016, JCG's complex-wide assets totaled approximately $191.3 billion for shareholders, clients and institutions around the globe. Based in Denver, Colorado, JCG also has offices in London, Milan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Melbourne, Sydney, Paris, The Hague, Zurich, Frankfurt, Dubai and Taipei, as well as Boston, Mass., Darien, Conn., Princeton, N.J., West Palm, Fla., Chicago, Ill., and Newport Beach, Calif.