New York Life Utah Walk-A-Thon gives $5,000 to Modern Widows Club

The New York Life Foundation approved a $5,000 Team Grant for Modern Widows Club after Utah employees and agents logged 268 volunteer walking hours in July. The donation will support the widow-support nonprofit’s peer-led communities and programming.

Why it matters: - The $5,000 grant adds direct funding for Modern Widows Club’s widow support work. - The gift supports peer-led communities and programming for widows navigating grief and isolation. - The donation also reinforces a longer-term relationship between Modern Widows Club and the New York Life Foundation.

What happened: - The New York Life Foundation approved a $5,000 donation to Modern Widows Club through the New York Life Utah Walk-A-Thon. - Pilar Zosa, a Kaysville, Utah-based Financial Advisor, New York Life Grief-Sensitive Ambassador and widow, championed the gift. - For New York Life’s Utah General Office July Walk-A-Thon, 25 employees and agents took part. - The group logged 268 hours of walking over the month. - The Utah office hosted an informational session with Modern Widows Club before the walk effort. - Participants were asked to walk 30 minutes a day and log their time toward a shared goal. - The team reached the goal and qualified Modern Widows Club for a $5,000 Team Grant.

The details: - New York Life’s Team Grant program funds employee- and agent-led volunteer initiatives. - The donation will support Modern Widows Club’s Hope • Heal • Grow • Lead® Healthy Widowhood Pathway. - Modern Widows Club uses peer-led communities, virtual programming, research development and advocacy in its work. - The organization is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida. - Carolyn Moor founded Modern Widows Club and serves as its executive director. - Carolyn Moor said gifts like this one reach widows who may feel they are facing the journey in isolation. - Pilar Zosa said she was happy to nominate Modern Widows Club and glad the team’s participation generated the full grant. - The New York Life Foundation is a strategic grant and advisory partner to Modern Widows Club.

Between the lines: - The grant ties corporate volunteer activity to nonprofit funding, turning employee participation into measurable support. - The structure rewards both community service and mission awareness, since the Utah office first learned about Modern Widows Club before completing the walk challenge. - Zosa’s role as a widow and grief-sensitive ambassador likely strengthened the connection between the company initiative and the nonprofit’s mission.

What's next: - Modern Widows Club will use the donation to support its widow-focused communities and programming. - The New York Life Foundation is likely to remain a key partner as Modern Widows Club continues its outreach and advocacy work. - More information is available at Modern Widows Club.