Horace Mann Educators Foundation
The Horace Mann Educators Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation established by Horace Mann Educators Corporation in February 2021. Based in Springfield, Illinois, the foundation was created with an initial $1 million contribution to honor the dedication of America's educators and support their efforts to help students reach their full potential.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$817K
-8.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$567K
+93.8% YoY
Grant Count
58
+141.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-19.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Horace Mann Educators Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's primary focus is providing resources for needs identified as critical to students' success by specific educators, schools, and districts, as well as solutions to systemic issues that educators identify as roadblocks to student achievement. The foundation also recognizes the dedication of Horace Mann employees to their communities by supporting causes important to them.
Funding priorities include:
- Educator-focused grants for essential classroom supplies, care closets, and food security initiatives
- Attendance programs and efforts that recognize educator excellence
- Mentorship programs and workplace development for veterans and individuals with disabilities
- Mental health support and training opportunities for minorities pursuing careers in insurance
- Organizations addressing basic needs and educational opportunities
- Disaster relief efforts and support for organizations serving communities in times of crisis
- Employee giving programs and matching programs
Grantmaking
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All initiatives are indirect grants and gifts to preselected charitable organizations. For more information, interested parties should contact foundation@horacemann.com.
Grant Range
s & Activity:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas, though it supports projects across various U.S. states and cities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $816,691–$895,112 (varies by reporting source and year)
- Annual income: $567,000
- Total expenses: $338,408
- Revenue: $324,815
Parent Organization: Horace Mann Educators Corporation, a publicly traded company (NYSE:HMN), reported $1.15 billion in net premiums and contract deposits earned for 2024 and $14.5 billion in assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $816,691 | $895,112 | $908,705 |
| Revenue | $521,970 | $324,815 | $315,587 |
| Expenses | $600,391 | $338,408 | $489,379 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $598,410 | $336,573 | $489,379 |
| Net Investment Income | $17,507 | $23,105 | $14,195 |
| Distributable Amount | $14,840 | $41,225 | $43,263 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Nea Foundation for the Improvement of Education ($100,000), United Way of Central Il ($100,000), Springfield School District 186 ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTIVE MINDS INC WASHINGTON, DC | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| ARMISTEAD GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BALTIMORE, MD | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF DANE CO MADISON, WI | SOCIAL SERVICES | $2,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR DALLAS, TX | SOCIAL SERVICES | $2,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL IL DECATUR, IL | SOCIAL SERVICES | $2,500 |
| BLYTHE STREET ELEMENTARY RESEDA, CA | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| CENTRAL IL FOODBANK SPRINGFIELD, IL | SOCIAL SERVICES | $20,000 |
| CHESTER PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHESTER, SC | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER CINCINNATI, OH | SOCIAL SERVICES | $5,000 |
| DONORS CHOOSE NEW YORK, NY | SOCIAL SERVICES | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Marita Zuraitis (President)
- Ryan Greenier
- Don Carley
Other leadership mentioned:
- Jeremy A Stuenkel (Principal Officer)
- Bret Conklin (Treasurer)
- Donald Carley (Secretary)
The foundation is governed by 9 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARITA ZURAITIS | President | 1 | — |
| BRET CONKLIN | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| DONALD CARLEY | Secretary | 1 | — |
| RYAN GREENIER | Officer | 1 | — |
| JENNY THAYER | Director | 1 | — |
| JEREMY STUENKEL | Tax Officer | 1 | — |
| PHIL KAUFMANN | Officer | 1 | — |
| SUSAN STONE | OFFICER | 1 | — |
| TROY GAYLE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LINEA MICHAEL | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE ECCLES | OFFICER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in recognizing educator excellence. In 2024, the Horace Mann Educators Foundation announced awards honoring Springfield educators, including:
NEA Foundation Honors Five Public School Educators with National ...**Educator of the Year:** Jason Potter, Science Teacher at Springfield Southeast High School
**Administrator of the Year:** Jason Wind, Executive Director of School Support
**Rising Star Recipients:** Emily Standley (Social Studies Teacher, Lincoln Magnet School), Terrelle Jackson (English Teacher, Lanphier High School), and James Biggers (Math Teacher, Southeast High School)
The awards program received over 70 nominations recognizing educators and administrators who help students achieve their full potential.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Horace Mann Educators Foundation fund?
The Foundation's primary focus is providing resources for needs identified as critical to students' success by specific educators, schools, and districts, as well as solutions to systemic issues that educators identify as roadblocks to student achievement. The foundation also recognizes the dedication of Horace Mann employees to their communities by supporting causes important to them. Funding priorities include: • Educator-focused grants for essential classroom supplies, care closets, and food…
How do I apply for a grant from Horace Mann Educators Foundation?
**Grant Sizes & Activity:** • Individual grants have ranged from $250 to $145,000, with an average award of $11,000 • Median grant size: $3,000 • Total grants awarded: 129 grants totaling $1.5 million (based on available records) **Recent Giving:** • 2024: Nearly $480,000 awarded, including: • $241,000 in educator-focused grants • $175,000 to strengthen communities • $43,800 to employee giving programs • $20,000 for disaster relief • 2023: $293,000 distributed • 2022: $975,000 distributed acros…
Where does Horace Mann Educators Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas, though it supports projects across various U.S. states and cities.
What size grants does Horace Mann Educators Foundation award?
In 2024, Horace Mann Educators Foundation awarded 58 grants totaling $567K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Horace Mann Educators Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Horace Mann Educators Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Horace Mann Educators Foundation's EIN?
Horace Mann Educators Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4027069. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Horace Mann Educators Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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