Humana Invites Maricopa County Charities to Apply for $100,000 Grant

Health-Benefits Company’s Fifth Year of Local Giving; Funds Have Transformed Area Nonprofits

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As they work to help the less fortunate, nonprofit organizations continue to feel the sting of the economic downtown, often coping with budget decreases while experiencing greater need in local communities. A 2010 GuideStar fundraising survey underscored this funding need, with the majority of charitable organizations reporting an increased need for their services and 22 percent of nonprofits anticipating a decline in contributions.

Arizona nonprofits have a way to apply for additional funding for their programs this year thanks to a local charitable awards program sponsored by health-benefits and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM). Charities in Maricopa County are now invited to apply for the $100,000 Humana Communities Benefit – Arizona grant. For five consecutive years, the health benefits company has awarded at least $100,000 yearly to Maricopa County nonprofits working to improve the well-being of the greater Phoenix area.

In total, Humana Communities Benefit has invested more than $500,000 in Phoenix-area community health initiatives. Previous grant winners have expanded programs that use technology to improve the lives of severely disabled children, created a community garden to teach life skills to those with autism spectrum disorder, opened a satellite health center for women in the East Valley, and purchased equipment to help transport disabled athletes to sporting events.

“Humana believes strongly in supporting the local communities in which we operate, creating healthier places for all to live in,” said Curt Howell, president of commercial operations for Humana in Arizona and co-chairperson of this year’s charitable-awards program. “Humana is proud to continue the tradition again this year of helping a deserving nonprofit in Arizona transform how it serves the public by funding a previously out-of-reach project through Humana Communities Benefit.”

The program is open to 501(c)(3) organizations located in Maricopa County focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities in the areas of:

  • Childhood health and education - projects or initiatives that seek to improve health and academic achievement of children through the educational landscape.
  • Family wellness and active lifestyles – projects or initiatives that strengthen the health of families through physical, social, mental, emotional, or environmental support.
  • Health literacy for diverse populations and seniors – projects or initiatives dedicated to improving people’s ability to access, understand, and use health information, especially low-income populations, and seniors.

“The unstable economy facing our nation creates increased demand from those in need, making even more crucial the financial support of those organizations that help increase the health and well-being of our communities,” said Michael Franks, regional president of Medicare operations for Humana’s West Region and co-chairperson of the awards program. “Through our commitment to these nonprofit organizations, Humana hopes to inspire others – individual donors and corporations – to lend a hand to the organizations that make a difference in promoting healthy lives and a healthy community.”

Applications from eligible nonprofit organizations in Maricopa County are being accepted now through Friday, July 8. A panel of local judges, comprised of community leaders, public officials and business representatives, will work with Humana to select the $100,000 grant winner. The goal of this $100,000 contribution to a nonprofit is to make a positive, transformational impact on the organization that allows it to reach greater milestone goals. Finalists make a formal presentation before the panel of community leader judges. The Humana Communities Benefit – Arizona winner will be announced at a celebratory dinner in October.

Humana Communities Benefit – Arizona began in 2007 and has awarded grants to four area charities:

  • Southwest Human Development, an organization that strives to give all children an optimal start in life with opportunities for a bright and positive future, used the 2010 grant to fund and expand Project A.D.A.P.T, Arizona’s Device and Adaptation Program using Technology that helps those with severe disabilities lead physically, socially and emotionally fuller lives through the use of cost-efficient technology.
  • Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, a nonprofit working to advance research and provide support for individuals with autism and their families, used the 2009 Arizona Benefits grant to create a community-based gardening program for those with autism spectrum disorders.
  • Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women help themselves, won the 2008 $100,000 award, enabling the organization to open a satellite center for women in the East Valley.
  • Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled, a nonprofit that supports athletic programs for disabled athletes, used the 2007 $100,000 award to purchase a truck and trailer that allowed them to increase the quality and quantity of events for participating athletes.

In 2011, Humana will provide close to $1 million to nonprofits through eight Humana Communities Benefits programs throughout the nation, including Arizona.

Maricopa County nonprofit organizations are encouraged to visit www.Humana.com/HCB to download a copy of this year's application and review program guidelines. Questions can also be directed to Humana by e-mail to [email protected].

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 10.2 million medical members, 7.1 million specialty members, and operates more than 300 medical centers and 240 worksite medical facilities. Humana is a full-service benefits and well-being solutions company, offering a wide array of health, pharmacy and supplemental benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals, as well as primary and workplace care through its medical centers and worksite medical facilities.

Over its 50-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:

  • Annual reports to stockholders
  • Securities and Exchange Commission filings
  • Most recent investor conference presentations
  • Quarterly earnings news releases
  • Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls
  • Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors)
  • Corporate Governance Information



CONTACT:

Humana Corporate Communications
Ross McLerran, 210-617-1771
[email protected]
http://www.Humana.com/HCB

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