NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly 200 nonprofit domestic violence organizations across the country are raising funds through the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® Challenge to help women recover from domestic violence and financial abuse. From Sept. 28 to Oct. 25, the public can visit PurplePurse.com to donate and help women reclaim their independence – and become #FreeToWalk from abusive relationships.

With nearly three dozen additional nonprofits competing this year, the Purple Purse Challenge selects domestic violence organizations to take part in a friendly competition for $650,000 in prize funding from The Allstate Foundation. In its third year, the Challenge gives 100 percent of proceeds to provide life-changing services to help survivors build safer lives for themselves and their families.

The fundraising comes at a critical time. On an average day, more than 12,000 requests for emergency shelter, childcare, financial aid and other services go unanswered due to a lack of funding at domestic violence programs around the country. Even as demand for their services increases, these organizations continue to operate with limited resources.

“The outlook for domestic violence survivors isn’t going to improve unless organizations have the resources to help them get back on their feet and avoid returning to their abusers,” said Vicky Dinges, senior vice president of corporate responsibility, Allstate. “More survivors are reaching out than ever before, and we’re failing them because the very programs they need most can’t support them. Fundraising efforts like Purple Purse Challenge are so critical because they provide women a lifeline and hope for their futures.”

One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. In 99 percent of cases, victims will endure financial abuse, which means their abusers deny them access to money and financial resources. Without resources of their own, victims are often unable to care for themselves and their families, find employment and housing or save for the future.

“The marks left on a domestic violence victim and her children are not just physical; they often include chronic health problems and a dramatically increased likelihood of poverty and homelessness,” said Kim Gandy, president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Foundation’s longtime national partner. “Whether you know it or not, someone you know and care about has experienced abuse, or will in the future. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is making it possible for thousands of victims to flee violence and is supporting them in creating a better life for themselves and their children.”

To encourage public support, every $10 donation will include one entry into a daily sweepstakes to win a purple handbag designed by actor and activistKerry Washington specifically for the Purple Purse Challenge. The handbag is not available in stores. Handbag prizes are provided by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). All proceeds go to Challenge participants.

In addition to donating through the Challenge, Purple Purse charms can be purchased for $10 through PurplePurse.com. Newly designed for this year’s Challenge, the charms are the perfect accessory for men and women to clip on their own purses, backpacks, briefcases and more to show their support. One-hundred percent of proceeds benefit Challenge nonprofit partners.

The Purple Purse Challenge is part of Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, which aims to help end domestic violence and financial abuse through financial empowerment. In its 12th year, Allstate Foundation Purple Purse has educated the public about how financial abuse traps victims in violent relationships. It has also propelled more than 800,000 victims on the path to safety and security, and invested more than $50 million to empower women to break free from abuse through life-changing financial education, job training and readiness and small business programs for survivors.

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people’s well-being and prosperity. With a focus on building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, empowering youth and celebrating the charitable community involvement of Allstate agency owners and employees, The Allstate Foundation works to bring out the good in people’s lives. For more information