Janus receives prestigious industry award for the Janus Charity Challenge

DENVER, Colo-Janus has been named the recipient of the Mutual Fund Education Alliance's Community Investment Award for 2005, in recognition of their unique fundraising program, the Janus Charity Challenge.

The Mutual Fund Education Alliance is the national trade association for mutual fund marketers and distributors. This prestigious award was created to recognize the mutual fund firm that most effectively utilizes resources to support the community through special programs, partnerships, in-kind goods and services and employee volunteerism in community programs and philanthropic efforts.

The Janus Charity Challenge was created in 2001 in support of Janus’ sponsorship of the U.S. Ironman race series. The program encourages Ironman athletes to use their passion for the sport of triathlon as a way to help others by raising money for charity. The most unique element of the program is that there is no pre-designated nonprofit recipient – each athlete can raise money for the cause that is most important to him/her.

To inspire participation, Janus provides all fundraisers access to a wide variety of fundraising tools to assist them in their efforts. In addition, Janus donates nearly $300k each year in financial awards to the nonprofit beneficiaries of the top fundraisers at each of six races. Since its inception, the program has raised more than $12 million for hundreds of charities throughout the United States. The program broke its single-year record by raising $4,007,309.94 in 2005.

Said Casey Cortese, Janus’ director of community relations and vice president of The Janus Foundation, “At Janus, we view our work in the community as both a responsibility and a privilege. We’re committed to using our financial and intellectual resources to act as a catalyst for positive change. This philosophy underscores our commitment to responsible philanthropy, and our dedication to supporting the communities where our investors, shareholders and employees live and work. Through the Janus Charity Challenge, we’re not only using our resources to support hundreds of worthy nonprofit organizations throughout the country, but we’re also engaging more people in understanding and meeting the needs of their own communities.”

"This program sets the standard for all mutual fund companies when it comes to community involvement," said Michelle Smith, MFEA Managing Director. "Janus’ leadership in corporate citizenship stands as an example of how fund companies serve not only their investors, but the communities in which they live and do business."

While Janus is extremely proud to receive this award, it really belongs to the hundreds of athletes who have taken the Challenge over the last four years. Their commitment, dedication and sense of selflessness have made contributions that will impact untold numbers of people throughout the country. The Janus Charity Challenge athletes have also proven that, contrary to popular belief, triathlon does not have to be a selfish sport. Rather, it can be an amazing platform for changing lives.

To find out more about the Janus Charity Challenge, please visit wwww.januscharitychallenge.com.

Janus Distributors LLC
151 Detroit St. Denver, CO 80206 (12/05)