Northwestern Mutual Sustainability and Social Impact: Delivering Financial Security and Expanding Financial Access - Seite 2

Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, our venture capital arm, in addition to investing in a variety of other startups, has a goal of investing $20 million each in women and African American/Black entrepreneurs. We look for partners who are developing tools and platforms to help us deliver the experience our clients need, want and deserve; who are shaping the future of health and wellness; and who are bringing new technologies and enhanced analytics to market.

INVESTING WITH IMPACT

In 2023, Northwestern Mutual added $75 million to our Impact Investment Fund, bringing the total to $175 million. The fund directs investments to increase entrepreneurs' and businesses' access to capital to create positive economic momentum locally and nationally; develop physical and social infrastructure, including affordable homes and improved school systems; and generate financial returns for our policyowners and investors.

Since the fund launched in 2021, Northwestern Mutual has made 16 investments nationally and in Milwaukee, leading to further investments in 64 business owners from diverse backgrounds and creating 525 jobs across the country.

Supplier and business diversity

Northwestern Mutual engages with a broad array of outside vendors for everything from office supplies and building materials to marketing and technology services. Through rigorous and transparent competitive bidding, we ensure that regardless of size or ownership, suppliers have an equal opportunity to provide us goods and services. This promotes fairness and equity while enriching our supply chain with fresh perspectives, innovation and expertise. We've also developed a roadmap toward supply chain sustainability reporting, with pilot participants beginning in 2023.

Employing inclusive procurement practices, our program has achieved remarkable growth in the amount we spend with small and diverse businesses. We're one of the first members of the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity that recognizes and tracks LGBTQ+ owned company spending, and we belong to the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to increase access to certified LGBTQ+ suppliers and businesses.

Our efforts have created $91.1 million in total economic impact with small and diverse businesses in the Milwaukee area and $842.1 million with small and diverse businesses nationally.

PROMOTING FINANCIAL EDUCATION TO HELP BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH

We continually look for opportunities to learn from and share financial knowledge with a wide variety of individuals. Our financial advisors and representatives and our corporate employees work to open dialogues, build awareness and earn trust in underserved communities.