22nd Annual Federated Challenge® Raises $5,488,000 to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters®
From left to right: Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities CEO Patrick Sukhum; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota Executive Director Jackie Johnson; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota Executive Director Michelle Redman; Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Chief Development Officer Bryan Klopack; and Federated Challenge Co-Chairs Jessica and Nicholas Lower.
The Federated Challenge® raised $5,488,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters® during its 22nd annual event on Sunday, July 26. Federated Insurance® Chairman, President and CEO Nicholas Lower and his wife, Jessica, served as co-chairs, and the gala drew nearly 800 attendees and 131 sponsoring businesses, including 31 first-time sponsors.
“This year’s Federated Challenge theme, Building Big Futures, reflects our shared commitment to creating a strong foundation from which young people can pursue their dreams and develop into successful adults,” said Lower. “Together, we are creating meaningful impact and helping shape brighter futures for young people all across the country.”
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.
The evening included dinner, a keynote address from former National Football League wide receiver and 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter, as well as Cindy and Savannah, a Big/Little match whose lives have been transformed through youth mentoring. Benike Construction was recognized as this year's Federated Challenge Honoree, with Mike Benike accepting the award on the company's behalf. Guests also participated in a live auction led by auctioneer Glen Fladeboe.
Entertainment was provided by Jordin Sparks, the youngest winner in American Idol history and a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, actress, and entrepreneur.
On Monday, July 27, 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 grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event possible,” Lower said. “The Federated Challenge creates opportunities for young people to build meaningful one-to-one connections with dedicated mentors. These relationships thrive thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and attendees, who came together to help build a future in which every young person has the opportunity to succeed.”
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 22nd year, this event has raised more than $67 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, 2026
Categories: News