Aetna and the Aetna Foundation in 2009 awarded nine community grants and sponsorships in San Antonio totaling $97,000, with a particular focus on disease prevention, obesity and health screening, the group reported.
The contributions support Aetna's commitment to enhancing the quality of health care, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities. In total, the Aetna Foundation, Aetna and its employees, awarded more than $24 million nationally in 2009, the group noted in a release.
Among the community grants awarded in San Antonio were:
-$25,000 to the Witte Museum;
-$22,500 to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities;
-$10,000 to the Barshop Jewish Community Center; and
-$5,000 to the King William Association.
Five other organizations in San Antonio also received Aetna grants or sponsorships including the American Cancer Society, Juvenile Outreach and Vocational Educational Network, NuStar Foundation, San Antonio Amateur Sports Foundation, Inc., and Texas Public Radio.
'Aetna is proud to support organizations in the San Antonio which are making great strides in targeting health care issues that affect our communities,' said Carl King, market head for Aetna in San Antonio. 'As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize our obligation to help address these critical needs.'
Under a $25,000 grant, the Witte Museum will be able to address the challenges and integrating healthy lifestyle choices into the existing cultural traditions in South Texas through the H-E-Body Adventure, a health and wellness learning center.
The Aetna Foundation awarded a $22,500 grant to Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to support the 23rd Annual Conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), which provides programs and initiatives for the next generation of Hispanic leaders.
The Barshop Jewish Community Center received a $10,000 grant for the Senior Games of San Antonio that celebrates the vitality and wellness of adults over the age of 50.
The Aetna Foundation gave a $5,000 grant to the King William Association to support the King William Fair, which raises funds to build new parks and to renew existing public spaces.
'Aetna and the Aetna Foundation are proud to partner with organizations across the country in support of their good work, and we look forward to continued relationships as we focus our giving in key areas going forward,' said Anne Beal, MD, MPH, president of the Aetna Foundation. 'For 2010 and beyond, we are transitioning to a new approach that encompasses a more concentrated grant-making focus on specific health issues of national concern, enhanced communication and measurement of the impact of our grants, a more proportionate distribution of our charitable giving across the country, and a more holistic relationship with our community partners that capitalizes on our employee presence and the generosity and talents of our employee volunteers.'
The Aetna Foundation has opened the call for proposals for the 2010 grant cycle. Grant applicants should visit AetnaFoundation.org for more information on how to apply for a grant and to learn more about the following Aetna Foundation focus areas for grant making in 2010 and beyond:
-Addressing the rising incidence of obesity among U.S. residents, including children;
-Promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care for common chronic conditions and for the prevention of infant mortality; and
-Advancing integrated health care, by:
-Improving coordination and communications among health care professionals;
-Creating informed and involved patients; and
-Promoting cost-effective, affordable care.
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