Building four homes in 10 days requires an army of helpers. Ensuring their safety can be a daunting task. For Austin View, executive director of Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity, this became a pressing concern when Columbia was chosen for a 2023 Blitz Build project. Enter MEM’s Safety Grant Program and senior consultant Brad Minor, who provided crucial support for this ambitious yet safety-conscious endeavor.
With hundreds of volunteers coming together for the Blitz Build, safety was our top priority,” Austin View explained, “Thanks to Brad and the MEM safety grant, we were able to equip everyone with the necessary gear and training, creating a truly safe and successful build experience.”
Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity joined 58 businesses in benefiting from MEM’s safety grants in 2023, bringing the program’s total impact to more than $2.8 million since 2016. (See full list of winners here)
“It’s always rewarding to help policyholders, but with Habitat, it felt extra special,” Brad Minor shared. “They genuinely rely on financial assistance for crucial safety equipment like harnesses and lanyards, things many businesses take for granted.” 
MEM’s safety grant also unlocked a productivity boost for Show-Me Central Habitat’s ambitious 143-home project.
“Previously, our work on siding and fascia stalled at 6 feet due to safety limitations,” said View. “Now, thanks to railings and harnesses, we can deploy more workers safely and speed up construction of our 143-home project.
Improving working conditions and safety is just one of the benefits Minor said he enjoys about the safety grant application process.
“Safety grants such as this go beyond protection. They touch lives. Risks addressed, confidence built, morale boosted – all thanks to this investment and the commitment of management to a safer jobsite.”
In the case of Habitat for Humanity, safety is about more than protecting volunteers, but also protecting the American dream. Habitat for Humanity helps families in need achieve homeownership through affordable mortgages on modestly sized houses. Targeting single-income families with 1-2 children, they empower hardworking individuals who struggle to afford a home on their own.
All MEM policyholders are eligible for a safety grant, regardless of premium size or claims history. Successful applicants earn one-to-one matching grants of up to $10,000 toward approved safety initiatives. Policyholders are required to monitor any claims data and report on the success of the safety grant so MEM can help other businesses learn from their success.
Questions about MEM’s Safety Grant Program?
Visit our frequently asked questions page here.