7 months ago
TAMPA- April 15, 2009 - In today's difficult economic environment, it's increasingly challenging for the nation's non-profit organizations to meet the needs of their clients and their communities.
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 Tampa Bay charities the chance to apply for a one-time, $100,000 grant in the Tampa Bay Benefits charitable giving program, created by Humana and funded by The Humana Foundation.
In October, Humana's Tampa Bay Benefits 2009 will award a one-time, $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization based in Tampa Bay that is doing valuable work to benefit the people who live in the bay area. Tampa Bay Benefits supports charitable organizations that are focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities in the areas of Mind, Body or Spirit.
Humana began accepting grant applications today for this year's Tampa Bay Benefits, and the deadline for applications is Aug. 7. This grant opportunity is open to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Tampa Bay area, which encompasses Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
"This program is playing a significant role in promoting healthy lives and healthy communities for people in Tampa Bay," said Humana Central Florida Commercial Operations Market President Sid Morgan. "Since we began Tampa Bay Benefits three years ago, we have been able to support organizations that provide job training, food distribution and new homes to those in need, three areas which we believe greatly impact the everyday lives of people in our community."
In October 2008, Humana awarded the $100,000 grant in its Tampa Bay Benefits charitable giving program to the Warrick Dunn Foundation. The Warrick Dunn Foundation, headed by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Florida State University football star Warrick Dunn, used its 2008 Tampa Bay Benefits $100,000 grant from Humana to provide several single-parent families in the bay area the opportunity for first-time home ownership.
With the help of business sponsors and community support, the Warrick Dunn Foundation also provides complete home furnishings for the recipients, including furniture, appliances, kitchen supplies, linens, groceries and home décor.
"Warrick Dunn and his foundation made the holidays brighter for a couple of Tampa Bay families and is planning to use the remainder of its 2008 Tampa Bay Benefits grant to give the keys to a new home to a few more single parents around Mother's Day," said Dr. Scott Latimer, Humana's Central and North Florida market president for Senior Products.
In the fall, 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 signature grant recipient. Humana will recognize and celebrate the Tampa Bay Benefits 2009 grant recipient at an awards ceremony in October.
Tampa Bay nonprofit groups will find applicant criteria and complete instructions at www.tampabaybenefits.org. Grant applications, which can be downloaded from the Web site, should delineate how the nonprofit would use the 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 Tampa Bay.
