NEW ORLEANS--()--In today’s difficult economic environment, it’s increasingly challenging for the nation’s nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of their clients and their communities.
“This program continues to play a transformational role in promoting healthy lives and healthy communities for people in Louisiana”
A recent survey by the Conference Board found that 60 percent of companies have either reduced their corporate giving or plan to during 2009.
Health benefits company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is helping to tilt the scale in the other direction by offering Louisiana charities the chance to apply for a one-time, $100,000 grant in the Louisiana Benefits charitable giving program, created by Humana and funded by The Humana Foundation.
In October, Humana’s Louisiana Benefits 2009 will award a one-time, $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization based in Louisiana that is doing valuable work to benefit the people who live in the state. Louisiana Benefits supports charitable organizations that are focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities in the areas of Mind, Body or Spirit.
The grant application deadline for this year’s Louisiana Benefits is July 27, and the charitable program is open to Louisiana-based, 501(c)(3) organizations.
“This program continues to play a transformational role in promoting healthy lives and healthy communities for people in Louisiana,” said Humana Louisiana Commercial Market President Jamie Schlottman. “Since its inception in the fall of 2005, when we were able to redirect funds to hurricane recovery efforts, to today, when we are extending the reach of an area nonprofit, Louisiana Benefits has been helping people all year long.”
In November 2008, Humana awarded the $100,000 grant in its Louisiana Benefits charitable giving program to Odyssey House Louisiana of New Orleans.
The nonprofit behavioral health provider is using its one-time $100,000 Louisiana Benefits signature grant for expansion of its free community medical clinic in New Orleans so that the organization can provide affordable health care to more in the community.
“Our goal with Louisiana Benefits is to have a meaningful impact on the quality of life for the people who live and work in our state,” said Jeff Fernandez, Humana Gulf Coast Division president for Senior Products. “Odyssey House is certainly delivering on that mission by providing free health care to those in greatest need in our community.”
In September, a diverse panel of local judges, comprised of community leaders, public officials and business representatives, will work with Humana to select this year’s $100,000 grant recipient. Humana will recognize and celebrate the Louisiana Benefits 2009 grant recipient at an awards ceremony in mid-October.
Louisiana-based nonprofit groups are encouraged to visit www.louisianabenefits.org to download an online copy of this year’s grant application, including applicant criteria and complete instructions.
Grant applicants should delineate how they would use Humana’s Louisiana Benefits grant to transform their organization; detail their financial health and examples of successful projects they’ve implemented; and, describe how their organization benefits the people of Louisiana.
About Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc.
Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana is one of the largest health benefits plans in the New Orleans market and the third largest in the state of Louisiana with approximately 200,000 commercial medical members and more than 125,000 Medicare members.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 10.6 million medical members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and supplementary benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.
Over its 48-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.
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