Assurant Health

Serving greater Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin, as well as national public policy initiatives.

Our Mission

The Assurant Health Foundation is the charitable arm of Assurant Health. The Foundation focuses on health care access and affordability, health promotion, disease prevention and public policy initiatives, as well as education and arts and culture.

Our Guidelines

The Assurant Health Foundation awards an average of 50 grants per year, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $150,000. The Foundation focuses its giving on non-profit, tax-exempt organizations with an active 501c(3) status under the IRS code. As a general policy, the Foundation does not make grants to individuals, labor, political, fraternal, municipal or religious organizations.

Highlights of Foundation Funding during 2008

Expanding Access to Care - The Assurant Health Foundation continued its commitment to expanding access to healthcare through its large health access grant initiatives. In 2007, the Foundation continued its partnership with Walker’s Point Community Clinic. A $150,000 grant helped the clinic add new patient rooms, expand its hours of service and add additional staff. The grant has enabled the clinic to increase the number of patients served and continue to provide quality care in its low-income neighborhood.

The Foundation also renewed its strong relationship with Family House - a group of community care homes for the elderly – through its support of the Family Dinners program. The Family Dinners program brings a wide variety of community members to Family House for a group meal and guest speakers featuring health and quality of life issues. A deepened sense of community and health knowledge has been gained, as participants are able to discuss issues together and seek individual services through the nearby medical clinic or through other referrals and support systems.

In addition to these large grants, Assurant Health supported a wide number of organizations throughout the year by organizing employee volunteer projects and food, supply and donation drives.

In 2008, the Foundation continued its grant making to several health and human service organizations, including AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Next Door Foundation, Bread of Health Clinic, Children’s Outing Association, Gerald Ignace Indian Health Center, Penfield Children’s Center, United Community Center, Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, Salvation Army and the Task Force on Family Violence.

Focus on Education - The Assurant Health Foundation’s REAP Program – Reaching Excellence in Academic Performance – is a multi-year grant program aimed at addressing performance gaps in the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) system. Raising the level of student academic performance, school attendance, parental involvement and the learning environment are critical factors that influence graduation rates and future success for students. The Foundation’s REAP program provides funding to five Milwaukee Public Schools for existing programs with a track record of success. In 2008, the Foundation renewed its grants to these MPS schools as part of this ongoing commitment.

Arts and Culture Support - The Assurant Health Foundation is committed to funding arts and cultural groups serving the Milwaukee community, to support employee involvement efforts in arts and culture engagement, provide opportunities to increase exposure to the arts and support a variety of groups serving diverse communities and artistic forms..

The Assurant Health Foundation continued its involvement in music and theatre organizations including underwriting the Milwaukee Ballet’s productions of “The Sleeping Beauty” as well as the Skylight Opera Theatre’s production of La Boheme. Support to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Art Museum, and United Performing Arts Fund was provided through projects such as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s 50th anniversary Holiday Concert Series, including Holiday Pops and “Breaking through to Joy”. In addition, in 2008 the Foundation was the lead sponsor of the IMAX film “Ghosts of the Abyss” exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Highlights of Volunteer Projects during 2008

Throughout the year, more than 650 Assurant Health employees and family members donated 3,633 hours of service to the community on a number of volunteer projects supporting many of the Foundation’s grant recipients, as well as other community agencies in need. The company provides a unique community and employee benefit by allowing employees up to eight hours of paid time off to volunteer. Assurant Health employees organized several blood, food, clothing, supply and holiday gift drives, in addition to holding fund-raising events that benefited dozens of charities. In 2008, 89 agencies were helped through this effort.

In addition to the various volunteer projects and community outreach efforts conducted throughout the year, Assurant Health also participates in an award-winning weekly mentoring program. Through the YMCA One on One Mentoring program, more than 20 Assurant Health employee mentors meet one-on-one with local middle school children each week at the company’s Milwaukee headquarters. These dedicated employee volunteers help the young students with homework, life skills and confidence building. Assurant Health has been a business in education partner with the YMCA for more than 20 years and is one of three charter companies.

2008 Total Corporate Contributions

In 2008, the Assurant Health Foundation donated more than $2 million in community grants and employee matching grants. The company also donated more than $150,000 in corporate sponsorships, on-site weekly mentoring program and in kind print and paper donations.

 For further information, please contact: MaryGrace.Curatola@assurant.com.

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