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Put More Time and Funds Back Into Your Mission

When it comes to funding unemployment insurance, nonprofit employers have two options: pay into their state-rated tax system (a pooled system from which all employers’ claimants are paid), or directly reimburse the state dollar-for-dollar for only the unemployment claims paid out to their former employees.

 

UST offers a variety of programs that can best accommodate both tax-rated and reimbursing employers needs and these can be invaluable solutions to your organizations for on-going pain pointshelping you to refocus your funding and employee bandwidth on the communities you serve.

UST —More than Unemployment Claims Administration

In addition to providing nonprofits savings upwards of 60% on unemployment costs, UST offers a wide variety of workforce solutions including:

 

  • E-file capabilities and expert claims advice
  • 100% hearings representation to protest improper claims
  • Certified HR personnel through a live hotline and compliance platform
  • Hundreds of online HR tools, templates and employee training courses
  • Outplacement and career transition services
  • Fully underwritten program

On average, UST’s investment returns cover the program administration costs for over half of program participants. Plus, the UST HR Workplace, powered by Mineral, delivered more than $1 million dollars in value-added services last year alone.

Want to Learn More About UST?

If you’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 10 or more employees, submit a FREE Cost Analysis today, and a dedicated UST Workforce Consultant will help determine your potential savings.

 

          

Largest and Lowest-Cost Trust Nationwide

Since 1983, UST has been providing unemployment and workforce solutions that help 501(c)(3) nonprofits reduce costs and strengthen their missions. As the largest unemployment trust in the nation, UST currently serves nearly 2,200 nonprofit members. Collectively, UST members save more than $35 million dollars in unemployment claims annually.

 

UST Mission: "Providing nonprofits with workforce solutions that reduce costs and strengthen their missions.”

Founded by nonprofits for nonprofits, UST works diligently to help participating nonprofits save significant time and money by providing them the tools they need to prepare for claims volatility, streamline unemployment procedures and ensure compliance with state regulations.

UST Senior Management

 

 

Trudie Bruner joined UST in 2023 and serves as Executive Director. Prior to joining UST, Trudie worked as a consultant to 501 (c)(3) and 501 (c)(6) associations and the businesses that serve them. Previously, she served as President & COO of an Association Management Company, where she oversaw staffing and operations services for over twenty nonprofit associations. Trudie holds degrees from Loyola University Maryland and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). Additionally, she is currently Board Secretary for the Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives.

 

Andrew Dowen joined UST in 1997 and serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Under his direction, our Corporate Finance Division has achieved high performance in corporate treasury management, financial reporting, and audit management. In addition to overall planning, development and management of our  financial systems, he is also responsible for premium accounting, billing, licensing, risk management, and compliance. Andrew is currently the Board President of Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Santa Barbara, CA.

 

Adam Thorn has served the members of the Trust since 2007. As AVP of Operations, Adam is responsible for the financial, operational, customer service and enrollment needs of the UST program. Prior to joining the UST leadership team, he served as the Operations and Sales Manager for a major electronics retailer. Adam is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting.

 

Megan Christopher has served the members of the Trust since 2013. As AVP of Sales and Service, Megan is responsible for the operational, member experience, and enrollment needs of the UST program.  In addition, she plays an integral part in managing UST’s partner relationships.   Prior to joining UST, she was a Branch Operations Manager for a large, international recruiting firm.   Megan is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and in her spare time, she volunteers for organizations benefiting Animal Welfare, Muscular Dystrophy, and Alzheimer’s research.

 

Kristin Maurelia has served the members of the Trust since 2022. As Director of Strategic Accounts, Kristin is responsible for developing relationships and opportunities with our essential affinity partners as well as any new business partnerships with state and national nonprofits. She is a key representative of UST and works directly with the Executive Director, the Board of Trustees, and UST's sales and marketing teams to continually improve our brand and service offerings.

 

Lauren Toups serves as the Equifax Account Executive, in partnership with UST, providing Unemployment Claims Services to its members. Lauren is responsible for consulting with UST regarding unemployment liability and savings opportunities, evaluating the needs and providing direct support to members. Prior to this role, Lauren served as an Unemployment Claims Operations Manager where she managed a team of Claims Consultants that provided comprehensive client services for over 400 clients including top national Retail, Educational and Healthcare organizations.  

 

 

UST Board of Trustees

UST Trustees are elected by participating member organizations and serve staggered three-year terms. Each trustee has extensive nonprofit and leadership experience and works for an established nonprofit organization. The current Board of Trustees includes:  

 

 

UST Partners with 501(c)(3) Organizations Across the U.S.

Our Affinity Partners represent nonprofit associations from all over the country who are dedicated to educating their members about the UST mission and how it can serve the nonprofit community.

 

 

 

Access our complete list of Associations here