2026 investments focus on scaling community-based programs and funding innovative research to end senior loneliness

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) for the past 45 years, today announced its first slate of 2026 grants, dedicating over $12.2 million to programs and research focused on emotional well-being. The funding will support 13 nonprofit organizations and five university research teams focused on combating loneliness, depression and social isolation among seniors and veterans nationwide.

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Stronger connections lead to better health. The Humana Foundation’s spring 2026 grant investments focus on reducing loneliness and improving well-being for older adults across communities.

The 2026 national grants scale the Foundation’s proven interventions to end senior loneliness by fostering social engagement and building community solutions. With major investments in organizations like Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP ($3,000,000), Friendship Bench ($1,000,000) and the National Recreation & Park Association ($890,000), the Foundation is equipping communities across the country with the tools – from digital health literacy to peer-to-peer mental health support – to improve well-being for seniors in their own neighborhoods.

“Loneliness isn’t something we have to accept as a natural part of aging; it's a public health crisis we can actively solve,” said Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation. “We're investing in the local leaders and innovative researchers building social connections that lead to healthier, more joyful lives for our loved ones and neighbors as they grow older.”

By leveraging a strategic mix of nonprofit grantmaking, academic research partnerships, and thought leadership through published insights, the Humana Foundation deploys diverse investment levers to advance evidence-driven and community-centered solutions. These efforts are reflected in the following 2026 grants.

Regional / National Investments in Emotional Health

In four key regions and beyond, the Humana Foundation is funding community-based interventions to combat isolation, including integrating behavioral health services into primary care and fostering purposeful intergenerational connections:

Texas

• Young Men's Christian Association of Greater San Antonio (YMCA) ($1,084,000): This grant enhances senior mental health support with accessible counseling, group sessions and educational presentations to reduce stigma and improve well-being.
• Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas ($525,000): This grant will integrate behavioral health into a primary care setting for seniors experiencing depression and cognitive concerns.

Florida

• Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay ($711,000): This program aims to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression among low-income, isolated or chronically ill seniors and veterans in Duval County by using volunteers to provide companionship and connection.

Kentucky

• Owsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum Foundation ($450,000): A new partnership in Louisville, this grant leverages humanities-based programming using artifacts from the museum’s collection to combat isolation and foster a sense of purpose for residents across 14 assisted living campuses.
• Home for Good ($250,000): This new partnership supports a permanent supportive housing model in Louisville, integrating behavioral health programming to address loneliness, depression, trauma and substance use disorders.

Multi-State Interventions

• African American Male Wellness Agency ($750,000): This new partnership will expand access to mental health resources for African American seniors and veterans in Louisville, KY, and Houston, TX, to reduce loneliness and depression through monthly peer-to-peer sessions and annual community wellness events.
• Help Us Grow ($150,000): This grant will expand a program where seniors provide reading tutoring to school-aged youth, fostering intergenerational connection and social connectedness for seniors in Florida, Texas and Kentucky.
• Film Independent ($1,250,000): This grant supports the development of media projects that elevate lived experiences of aging, caregiving and emotional well-being.
• Milken Institute's Future of Aging ($350,000): This grant supports research to better understand the conditions that allow caregivers, particularly those in historically underserved communities, to maintain social connection.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation ($100,000): Our investment in EDF supports efforts to elevate the lived experiences of military and veteran caregivers.

Advancing Research in Emotional Health and Nutrition

The Humana Foundation is also investing $1.75 million in five institutions exploring new frontiers in emotional health and nutrition, from leveraging AI technology to advancing health equity through culturally tailored interventions and whole-person care:

• University of Houston (Marino A. Bruce, PhD, MDiv, MSRC): To validate loneliness measures for middle-aged and older Black men.
• University of Michigan (Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MD, MS, MPH): To measure loneliness, social isolation and well-being among diverse older Americans through a multi-state poll in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas.
• Emory University (Regina A. Shih, PhD): To develop an intergenerational caregiver support intervention to address mental health, loneliness and social isolation for youth and older family caregivers in Florida.
• Florida State University (Zhe He, PhD, Mia Liza A. Lustria, PhD, and Dawn Carr, PhD): To develop an AI-enabled digital social concierge to promote community engagement and reduce loneliness among underserved seniors living alone.
• University of Pennsylvania (Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD and Lauren A. Eberly, MD, MPH): To evaluate the impact of medically tailored meals on reducing emergency room visits and rehospitalizations for diverse seniors with heart failure.

The Humana Foundation will announce a second slate of grants advancing its health equity mission in Fall 2026.

About the Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. and is focused on health equity, working to eliminate unjust, avoidable, and unnecessary barriers in health and healthcare. The Foundation fosters evidence-based collaborations and investments that help people in underserved communities live connected, healthy lives. As a steward of good health, the Foundation creates healthy emotional connections for people and communities and is shaping a healthier approach to nutrition to support lifelong well-being. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org.

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Marvin Hill

Humana Corporate Communications

502-580-3950

[email protected]

Source: Humana Inc.