The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is donating $215,000 to community service programs across the U.S. through the Community Service Award program. The annual competition, open to more than 7,900 Representatives of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, recognizes exemplary volunteer involvement and dedication to charitable organizations and philanthropic projects.

Each year, nineteen "Outstanding Volunteers" are recognized and honored for their achievements with a grant of $10,000 to each organization they represent. Additionally, a "Most Exceptional Volunteer" is recognized and honored with a $25,000 grant to the designated non-profit. In total, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate $215,000 this year to community service organizations through this program.

"The winners of this award have truly made a significant impact by giving their time and talent to make their communities stronger," stated Edward J. Zore, President & CEO of Northwestern Mutual. "All the recipients of the Community Service Award embody the values of leadership and community service that are fundamental elements of our culture at Northwestern Mutual. They take the time to give back to the communities that have given so much to them and their families," Zore added.

Now in its ninth year, the Community Service Award is open to any full- time Financial Representative who is actively involved in a non-profit, tax- exempt organization. Representatives may submit entries themselves or be nominated by another colleague.

A panel of judges selects the winners based on their commitment, dedication and hands-on volunteer involvement. The program is funded by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, which is committed to improving quality of life by concentrating its charitable contributions in the areas of Health and Human Services, Education, and Arts and Culture. Last year the Northwestern Mutual Foundation contributed more than $16 million to community betterment, both locally and nationally.

Northwestern Mutual, the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance according to A. M. Best, has always received the highest possible ratings for financial strength from Standard & Poor's, Moody's, Fitch, and A. M. Best. In addition to life insurance, the company, its subsidiaries and affiliates are also providers of annuities, mutual funds, long-term care insurance and disability income insurance. These products and services are distributed through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and its 7,900 financial representatives. Among its affiliated companies are the Frank Russell Company, the investment management and advisory firm; Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), the securities brokerage firm; and Northwestern Mutual Trust Company, a special purpose federal savings bank. Further information on Northwestern Mutual, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can be found at: www.northwesternmutual.com .

Following are the 2003 Northwestern Mutual Community Service Award winners:

  Winner's Name          Organization Represented    City, State

  David Franczyk         Rogers Memorial Hospital    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  (Most Exceptional      Foundation, Inc.
  Volunteer)

  Mitchell Barnes        Duchennes Research          Louisville, Kentucky
                         Education & Miracle
                         Foundation (DREAM)

  Michael Bartenhagen    Hephzibah Children's        Oak Park, Illinois
                         Association

  Carol Boeckley         PregnancyCare of            Cincinnati, Ohio
                         Cincinnati

  Robert Borden          Children's Home Society     Greensboro, North
                         of North Carolina           Carolina

  Henry Cerruti          Cooley's Anemia             Smithtown, New York
                         Foundation, Inc. --
                         Suffolk County Chapter

  David Feldman          Massachusetts Association   Brookline,
                         for The Blind               Massachusetts

  Daniel Fremling        Future Builders in          Fargo, North Dakota
                         Support of Trollwood
                         Performing Arts School

  Patrick Horne          YMCA of Metropolitan        Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
                         Milwaukee-West Suburban
                         Branch

  Kate Kane              Dress for Success --        Springfield,
                         Western Massachusetts       Massachusetts

  Ray King               Goodwill Industries of      Abilene, Texas
                         Abilene

  David Lively           Mountain Region Donor       Gray, Tennessee
                         Service

  Michael Mathias        Nokomis Child Care Center   Fargo, North Dakota

  James Nemec            The Worldwide Children's    New York, New York
                         Foundation of New York

  Paul Phelps            Arlington Area Childcare    Arlington, Vermont
                         DBA Happy Days Preschool

  James Smith            Developmental Services      Champaign, Illinois
                         Center

  Gary Taylor            The Virginia Discovery      Charlottesville,
                         Museum                      Virginia

  Joe Thompson, Jr.      The Salvation Army          Nashville, Tennessee

  Jeffrey Tyler          Family Service of           Rochester, New York
                         Rochester, Inc.

  Gregory Wallace        Courage Center              Golden Valley,
                                                     Minnesota

SOURCE: Northwestern Mutual Foundation

CONTACT: Felicia Bogdanski, +1-414-665-1959,
feliciabogdanski@northwesternmutual.com or Julie Stolper, +1-262-549-4328,
jstolper@wi.rr.com , both of Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Web site: http://www.northwesternmutual.com/