Horace Mann showcases commitment to stakeholders as company reflects on 75 years of serving educators

Offers support to educators and communities addressing the challenges of COVID-19, including $100,000 to support DonorsChoose.org COVID-19 response campaign to ‘Keep Kids Learning’

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) today released Horace Mann Cares, its most recent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report and announced immediate support for the community in which the company is headquartered, as well as for educators addressing challenges of COVID-19.

The new CSR report becomes available as Horace Mann marks its 75^th year in business. On March 15, 1945, two Springfield, Ill., teachers formed the IEA Insurance Company to offer affordable auto insurance to fellow educators. Since then, the company changed its name to Horace Mann in honor of the American educational pioneer and has expanded to serve educators throughout the country providing auto, homeowners, life and supplemental insurance, as well as retirement solutions. The report details Horace Mann’s commitment to responsible environmental, social and governance (ESG) business decisions, as informed by that mission.

“Horace Mann has never lost sight of the commitment to educators that our company was founded on 75 years ago and that will lead us into the next 75,” said President and CEO Marita Zuraitis. “Many of our employees and agents are children or spouses of educators, and over 95% of our agents volunteer time or donate to their local educational communities.

“We take pride in helping educators protect what they have today and prepare for a successful tomorrow, and believe our actions as a corporation and as individuals are living proof of that mission. Whether we are offering our traditional financial solutions or supporting teachers as they develop virtual teaching capabilities, our objectives will remain unchanged,” said Zuraitis. “Our commitment to helping educators has only been magnified during this time of unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, when we also find ourselves trying to support our children’s educational needs at home. Now more than ever, we will look for the best ways to help educators solve the issues they face.”

While Horace Mann and its agents remain fully available to support educators with insurance and retirement solutions, the company also is undertaking several projects to support educators and communities with challenges caused by COVID-19. For example, the company is working in partnership with DonorsChoose.org on their “Keep Kids Learning” COVID-19 response campaign. Horace Mann is contributing $100,000 to this effort to support educators in its primary office locations with funds for remote learning resources and nutritional aid for students. The company has also added free online teaching resources through its website, including access to thousands of Pre-K-12 classroom lessons to support teachers adapting to remote learning.

Additional support for Horace Mann’s headquarters location includes contributions to the United Way of Central Illinois and The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln COVID-19 Response Fund and The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Relief Fund.

“Mobilizing to support current needs is another illustration of our ongoing commitment to our stakeholders,” said Zuraitis. “Over the years, Horace Mann has positively impacted millions of individuals and local communities through its direct and indirect economic activities. We’re proud to be starting our next 75 years by helping people face the new and unexpected challenges of COVID-19.”

About Horace Mann

Horace Mann is the largest financial services company focused on providing America's educators and school employees with insurance and retirement solutions. Founded by Educators for Educators® in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. For more information, visit horacemann.com.