21st Annual Federated Challenge® Raises $4,945,000 to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters®
Pictured above: Big Brothers Big Sisters® scholars and Littles proudly announced the record-breaking amount raised at the 21st Annual Federated Challenge. Federated Insurance Chairman, President, and CEO Nicholas Lower (center left) and his wife, Jessica (center right), joined the scholars and Littles in celebrating this milestone.
The Federated Challenge® raised a record $4,945,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters® during its 21st annual event on Sunday, July 27. With Federated Insurance Chairman, President and CEO Nicholas Lower and his wife, Jessica, stepping into their roles as co-chairs for the first time, the gala drew more than 700 attendees and 113 sponsoring businesses, including 20 first-time sponsors.
“It is truly inspiring to see such a remarkable display of generosity and shared purpose,” said Lower. “This year’s theme, Mission: Unlock Potential, captures the very heart of what we’re here to do — to open doors, remove barriers, and help young people discover and achieve their brightest futures. This mission is happening because of all of you.”
Federated Insurance covers 100 percent of all Federated Challenge expenses, ensuring every dollar raised is donated to Minnesota’s three Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America®. These organizations create one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”). A portion of the donations are set aside for the Federated Challenge Scholarship Program which provides up to $5,000 per year to qualified Littles or high school Bigs enrolled in a non-four-year program focusing on apprenticeship, certificate, trade school, technical, or community college. Since the program’s inception, 312 recipients, including 31 in 2025, have earned job-ready-training degrees with little to no debt.
This year’s theme also resonated throughout the black-tie gala, held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The evening featured dinner, a keynote address by professional soccer player and Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO, Artis Stevens. The event also included a live auction led by auctioneer Glen Fladeboe. Singer Loren Allred, known for her performance of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, also performed for attendees.
Former Federated Insurance Chairman and Federated Challenge Chair Jeff Fetters was recognized as the 2025 Federated Challenge honoree at the gala. "Jeff made profound contributions to this event during his twelve years as chair, and we are proud to recognize his legacy as a leader in youth mentoring initiatives," Lower said.
On Monday, July 28, Federated Challenge sponsors gathered at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota — a future host of the 2029 Ryder Cup — for a day of golf.
"Jessica and I are humbled and excited to continue the important mission of the Federated Challenge," Lower concluded. "Federated is steadfast in its commitment to helping unlock potential and create a better tomorrow for communities across America."
The Federated Challenge was founded as a two-day fund-raising event hosted by Federated Insurance, a commercial insurance company headquartered in Owatonna, Minnesota. Now in its 21st year, this event has raised more than $61 million for youth mentoring programs.
Founded in 1904, Federated Insurance is a national insurance and risk management organization that serves the property, casualty, and life insurance needs of clients in select industries. The organization has more than 500 recommendations from local, state, regional, and national associations and buying groups and is rated A+ (Superior) by industry analyst A.M. Best.
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Published Date: July 29, 2025
Categories: News