Help educators innovate and bring more creativity to the classroom

SPRINGFIELD, IL (August 27, 2015) – Horace Mann continues its commitment to educators through its DonorsChoose.org partnership with its “Seventy in 70” giveaway and funding 52 DonorsChoose.org projects in high-poverty schools throughout the nation. The company’s efforts are reinforced by its recent survey which showed educators continually reach into their own pockets to make sure they have the supplies to teach their students. "As a company focused on helping educators reach their financial goals, we want to limit the amount of personal resources teachers have to spend in the classroom," said Marita Zuraitis, Horace Mann’s President and CEO. "As we start a new school year, we pledge our continued support to DonorsChoose.org, and encourage others to get involved as well." In the May 2015 Horace Mann Educator Survey, a quarter of teachers reported spending more than $400 a year of their money.

• 14% - $600 or more a year (13% - 2013)
• 13% - $400-$600 (13% - 2013)
• 30% - $200-$400 (30% - 2013)

Teachers reported buying general supplies (51%), math and science tools (41%), reading and language materials (38%), and various other supplies. In the 2015 survey, more than 80 percent of teachers reported abandoning at least one project due to lack of funding.

Horace Mann’s “Seventy in 70” giveaway in September will fund 70 DonorsChoose.org projects, celebrating Horace Mann’s 70 years of serving educators. That giveaway follows Horace Mann’s funding of 52 projects in high poverty schools, marking the first time those schools have had a DonorsChoose.org project funded. Horace Mann began its partnership with DonorsChoose.org in 2011, and since that time has funded more than $3 million in projects. DonorsChoose.org is a non-profit organization connecting teachers to donors who support classroom projects. Horace Mann agents have introduced teachers to DonorsChoose.org and taught them how to post projects.

About the Horace Mann Advisory Panel

The Horace Mann Educator Advisory Panel has been in place since 2004 and consists of educators from across the country. Educators that sign up for the advisory panel are asked to complete four to five online surveys each year. Survey topics include a mix of educational-related topics and topics related to insurance and retirement. Currently, around 1,700 educators belong to the panel and are mostly public K-12 teachers. Less than 15% of the panel members are Horace Mann customers. About Horace Mann Horace Mann is the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs. Horace Mann provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. Founded by Educators for Educators® in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. For more information about the company, visit horacemann.com.