Edition: Q4 | 2025
Humana Foundation Quarterly Newsletter
Tiffany Benjamin
CEO, Humana Foundation
A Word From Our CEO
As we close out 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year defined by resilience, collaboration, and hope.
At the Humana Foundation, our mission has always been to meet people where need intersects with opportunity, and this year, that commitment has never felt more urgent or inspiring.
Together with our partners, we responded to crises and created pathways for longterm change. From providing disaster relief in Central Texas to investing $500,000 in food banks across four states, we stood shoulder to shoulder with communities facing hardship.
We opened the Health and Well-being Center at Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana, giving thousands of students tools to care for their mental health.
We launched new research reports on belonging and food insecurity, deepening our understanding of systemic challenges and how to overcome them. And through initiatives like Face the Fight and partnerships with organizations such as the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we continued to champion veterans and military families ensuring that every life is valued and supported.
This year also brought moments of celebration. More than 12,000 Humana employees volunteered during Community Day across the U.S. The Humana Foundation honored 80 new scholarship recipients who represent the future we’re building together. Internally, our team embraced learning and growth, because we know that how we work matters as much as what we do.
Personally, I want to share how much my team inspires me—the way they show up for each other and for communities, the way they tackle hard challenges without flinching all while remaining curious and innovative. While working together, our work is joyful and meaningful.
As I look to 2026, I do so with optimism and resolve.
There is more work ahead, but together, we can continue to make a profound difference. From all of us at the Humana Foundation, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with peace, purpose, and possibility. Continue to make time for friends, family, and yourself.
Together, we’ll do great things in 2026 and beyond.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review our grant cycle webinar
Grant Cycle Opens Jan. 20, 2026
The Humana Foundation will open its 2026 grant cycle on Jan. 20, 2026. This opportunity marks a continuation of the Foundation’s commitment to advance health equity for underserved communities and help people achieve their best health.
Organizations addressing mental health or improving nutrition for school-aged children, seniors, or military veterans in Florida, Louisiana, Louisville, KY, or Texas are invited to apply.
Proposals can be submitted through our
Humana Foundation Pledges $500,000 to Meet Surge in Demand for Food
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Humana Foundation, on Nov. 10, announced $500,000 in new investments to support food banks and nutrition programs in four states. The funding will help address urgent needs in communities where the loss of food assistance for nearly 42 million Americans has intensified food insecurity. These and other economic challenges have contributed to a sharp rise in demand for food support.
“Today, food banks are seeing unprecedented demand,” said Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation. “We’re acting swiftly and working side by side with our partners to meet the immediate need, and we’ll continue to invest in long-term solutions that deploy our knowledge and resources. These investments reflect our deep commitment to health equity and our belief that no one should go hungry.”
The investments will support programming in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas.
The Humana Foundation and partners celebrated the grand opening of the Health and Well-being Center with a ribbon-cutting event at JA Finance Park.
Grand Opening of Well-being Center
Following World Mental Health Day in October, the Humana Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the new “Health and Well-being Center” at Junior Achievement (JA) of Kentuckiana Finance Park.
This space will serve nearly 10,000 middle and high school students each year, giving them practical tools to understand mental health, create self-care plans, and connect with local resources for support.
Thank you to our partners Humana, Jewish Heritage Fund and University of Louisville Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute for helping make this vision a reality. Click
Humana Foundation Research Reports Explore Boys’ Belonging, Food Insecurity
The Humana Foundation is proud to announce we have recently released two new research reports that explore critical health equity issues in our focus areas.
Our first report, Strengthening Belonging for Underserved Boys, examines how fostering belonging can improve mental well-being for boys facing systemic barriers. Drawing on research and real-life stories, the report offers actionable recommendations for funders, nonprofits, and community leaders to create environments where every boy feels connected and supported.
Our second report, Senior Food Insecurity in Kentucky: A Growing Public Health Challenge, highlights the barriers seniors face in accessing healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods. Through data, partner insights, and lived experiences, the report identifies opportunities to leverage Kentucky’s unique assets to develop sustainable solutions.
Each of our research reports calls for collaborative, community-driven approaches to address these challenges and advance health equity.
We invite you to explore the two full reports:
- Strengthening Belonging for Underserved Boys
- Senior Food Insecurity in Kentucky: A Growing Public Health Challenge
The Humana Foundation team spent time with seniors at a volunteer event hosted by Jewish Family & Career Services at Community Towers in Louisville, KY.
Connecting with Communities we Serve
During a recent team strategy session, the Humana Foundation spent time volunteering and connecting with seniors at Community Towers.
The team shared plenty of laughs and meaningful moments with the residents at Community Towers during an afternoon of bingo.
We’re grateful for Jewish Family & Career Services for hosting such a wonderful event. And we invite you to watch a brief recap of the meaningful afternoon. Watch the recap
Humana Foundation CEO Tiffany Benjamin Named “Daughter of Greatness”
The Humana Foundation is proud to celebrate CEO, Tiffany Benjamin, who was recently honored as a Daughter of Greatness by the Muhammad Ali Center.
This powerful recognition celebrates women who are driving change through social philanthropy, activism and the pursuit of justice. Tiffany’s leadership at the Humana Foundation reflects these values every day, especially through her commitment to closing systemic equity gaps in mental and behavioral health, nutrition and food security.
With the Humana Foundation, Tiffany spearheaded a partnership with USAA to co-found Face the Fight, an initiative to reduce veteran suicides that is now supported by a coalition of over 200 organizations. Additionally, she leads the Foundation’s philanthropic disaster response and recovery strategy, as well as its scholarships and associate giving programs.
Tiffany was also named to the inaugural 2025 Time100 Philanthropy list, celebrating the singular figures shaping the future of giving. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Leaders Award from the Council on Foundations, and in 2022, The Root recognized Tiffany as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans.
Congratulations, Tiffany—and thank you to the Muhammad Ali Center for shining a light on leaders who embody greatness.
Marvin Hill (left) from the Humana Foundation with Humana Radio host JD Garfield for the third episode of the Foundation Friday podcast series.
Now Streaming: Foundation Podcast
The Humana Foundation launched a quarterly podcast to give listeners a deeper dive into Foundation initiatives and stories from our community.
The third episode – Q3, 2025 – features Humana Radio’s JD Garfield interviewing Chris Robinson from the Humana Foundation, along with Marvin Hill about the Foundation's communications strategy and the importance of a strong communications plan for the Humana Foundation.
Listen to the podcast
Expanding National Efforts to Improve Seniors’ Emotional Health
LOUISVILLE, KY – On Oct. 14, the Humana Foundation announced its ambition to become a national leader in addressing seniors’ emotional health. More than one in four seniors (29%) report being socially isolated, increasing their risk of dementia (by 50%) and self-harm. The Foundation’s 2025 program and research grants—totaling over $12 million—tackle loneliness, illness and other community and cultural drivers of poor emotional health with interventions tested regionally and deployed nationwide.
“We want every senior to feel seen, supported and connected—to live not just longer but better,” said Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation. “Too many of our nation’s seniors live alone and with depression, PTSD or chronic illness that limits their mobility and socialization. We’re expanding proven interventions and investing in data and technology solutions to help more people improve their lives.”
The Humana Foundation’s 2025 grants also support veterans’ emotional health and nutrition among school-aged children.
ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT
Julie Streble
Tenure at Humana: 10 years
Current Role: Sr. Culture & Engagement Professional
Location: Louisville, KY
Julie’s Initiative: To combat loneliness and social isolation in at-risk populations, Julie organized a meaningful December opportunity to brighten someone’s day. For its 5th year, volunteers sent hundreds of holiday cards containing heartfelt messages to senior residents of identified skilled nursing facilities and hospitalized children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, creating holiday cheer and a deepening sense of purpose for those volunteering.
Partner Highlight: Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS)
BACKGROUND: Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS) is a Louisville-based nonprofit that provides vital support for individuals and families through counseling, career services, and programs that promote independence and well-being. Its ACE Seniors initiative focuses on reducing social isolation among older adults in low-income housing by bringing connection and care directly to where they live.
THE NEWS: With support from the Humana Foundation, ACE Seniors expanded from one site to three senior housing facilities and a community center, offering regular classes like chair yoga, art, and technology help. JFCS also introduced evidence-based programs such as Bingocize to make fitness fun and accessible.
WHY IT MATTERS:
- In just six months: 84 seniors enrolled, with 67 attending at least one class and 36 participating in two or more events monthly.
- 20 seniors completed follow-up assessments, and over half showed improved scores on loneliness and social network measures.
- Education classes are driving the greatest gains in reducing isolation. JFCS is building trust and consistency, turning one-off activities into a reliable safety net for seniors.
WHAT’S NEXT: JFCS will launch Bingocize across all sites to combine fitness and fun, form resident advisory councils to boost peer-led engagement, and expand partnerships with additional housing complexes to reach more socially isolated seniors.
“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.”
—Kathy Calvin
Philanthropy Resources
Resources for Parents of School-Aged Children
Resources for Veterans
Resources for Seniors
Additional Resources