Countywide : Pacific Mutual Gives Nonprofits $1 Million

The charitable arm of Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co. has awarded a total of $1 million to more than 100 local nonprofit organizations.

Among recipients of the Pacific Mutual Foundation grants are:

* Children’s Advocacy Institute/Center for Media Education, $150,000 to run a program that addresses issues of children and television.

* Orange County Human Relations Commission, $85,000 for a pilot program to help middle schools address ethnic tension.

* Youth and Family Fitness, $75,000 for a pilot program to teach children the value of exercise.

* United Way of Orange County, $210,000.

* AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County, $12,500.

* Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, $30,000.

* Independent Colleges of Southern California, $25,000.

* Orange County Department of Education’s Juvenile Division Program, $12,100.

* Orange County Performing Arts Center, $10,000.

* YMCA of Orange County, $10,000.

Dozens of smaller agencies also received grants.

The life insurance company, based in Newport Beach, established its foundation in 1984 to provide funding for organizations that help people, particularly children, Pacific Mutual officials said.

Foundation President Bob Haskell said the organization has given more than $10 million to hundreds of organizations in the past 12 years and plans to donate $500,000 later this year.