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Supporting Communities

At Horace Mann, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

Girl in front of her laptop taking part in a remote class. The girl has two pigtails and a rainbow-striped shirt. She holds a pencil and looks at the teacher, who smiles back at her from the computer screen.
 

Vibrant communities create opportunities for individuals, families, businesses and institutions to grow and thrive. That’s why we support organizations that help make each community a place where current and future employees want to live and work.

We are particularly invested in the communities of our Horace Mann office locations, including Springfield, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; Madison, Wis.; and Cherry Hill, N.J. 

Investing in Strong Schools & Communities

We believe strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand. Through strategic partnerships and targeted grant funding, we support initiatives that:

  • Address basic needs
  • Promote student growth
  • Assist in disaster recovery
  • Provide economic and workforce development opportunities

 In 2024, the Horace Mann Educators Foundation directed nearly $380,000 to schools and charitable organizations supporting these initiatives within our communities.

Strengthening Community Programs

Through United Way partnerships in Springfield, Ill.; Dallas, Texas.; Madison, Wis.; and Southern New Jersey (Cherry Hill), we contribute to programs that:

  • Advance educational achievement and mentorship
  • Support family stability and financial empowerment
  • Expand food security and digital literacy

United Way’s 211 Helpline and Digital Navigator Network have helped thousands access housing, employment resources and economic stability support.

Supporting Student Needs

Educators know that students struggle to learn when they lack essentials like food, clothing, school supplies, mentoring and mental health support. The Horace Mann Educators Foundation funds initiatives that remove these barriers, including:

  • Springfield Public Schools Care Closets – Stocked with food, hygiene products and clothing for students experiencing poverty or homelessness.
  • Madison Public Schools Foundation Teacher Support Network – Provides essential resources to ensure educators can quickly supply students with what they need. The program offers schools a need-based budget and an easy-to-use online portal for ordering high-quality school supplies. Fast, local delivery ensures teachers can focus on what matters most—helping students thrive.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor 2.0 – Expands mentoring in Cherry Hill, N.J.; Madison, Wis.; Dallas, Texas; and Springfield, Ill., providing students with role models and career readiness support.
  • The Outlet Plug-In Program – Supports young males from single-parent homes in the Springfield area with mentorship and professional development.
  • Active Minds – Expands mental health resources, reducing stigma and strengthening peer-to-peer support networks in K-12 schools.

Addressing Child Hunger

Hunger is a significant barrier to a child’s physical and mental development. Over the past four years, the Horace Mann Educators Foundation has supported:

  • Food pantry programs—many hosted at schools—through the North Texas Food Bank, the Food Bank of South Jersey, and the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. These programs ensure students have access to fresh produce, shelf-stable food, weekend meal packs, after-school snacks and summer meal programs.
  • Central Illinois Foodbank’s Healthy Foods Distribution program – Provided food assistance to Harvard Park Elementary School families. In 2024, we supported spring and winter distributions totaling 12,948 pounds of protein, fresh produce and dairy items. Families also received healthy recipes featuring distributed foods, helping them incorporate new, nutritious options into their diets.

Providing Additional Resources

Access to career opportunities, disaster relief, and community support programs helps individuals and families build stable, successful futures. Through workforce development initiatives, emergency assistance, and support for first responders, we are committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work.

Workforce Development

  • Hiring Our Heroes – Veteran Workforce Initiative – Provides career training for transitioning service members and military spouses.
  • Fisk University RISE Scholars Program – Supports students pursuing careers in insurance and finance through internships, professional development and industry exposure.
  • University of Illinois Innovation Network – Student Entrepreneurship Grant – Funds student entrepreneurs through the 2025 Shark Tank competition, providing mentorship and early-stage funding for tech startups.
  • Project SEARCH – Inclusive Employment Expansion – Translates employment readiness curriculum into Spanish, expanding workforce access for Spanish-speaking students with disabilities.

Disaster Relief & Community Stability

  • Henderson County Hurricane Relief (N.C.) – Assisted 100 students and 33 families affected by Hurricane Helene with food, clothing, gas cards and school supplies.
  • Manna Food Bank (N.C.) – Provided disaster relief food assistance for families impacted by Hurricane Helene.
  • Firefighter Cancer Support Network – Provided 50 cancer support toolboxes and funded five Train-the-Trainer Cancer Awareness and Prevention programs, reaching over 150 firefighters nationwide.

Through these initiatives, Horace Mann is building stronger, more resilient communities by ensuring access to basic needs, education and economic opportunities.