Voya Financial Looking to Award Next Class of Teachers with "Unsung Heroes" Grants

WINDSOR, Conn., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) wants K-12 educators across the country to know that they still have time to apply for a Voya Unsung Heroes grant for the 2017 calendar year.

Any eligible teacher with an innovative program idea is invited to apply by visiting the Voya Unsung Heroes website and submitting their information online by April 30, 2017. 

"Many of us still remember our 'favorite teacher' — an educator who had a memorable impact on us because they opened our minds and sparked a love of learning with their passion and creativity," said Heather Lavallee, president of Tax-Exempt Markets for Voya's Retirement business.  "Too often, these same individuals must dip into their own wallets or forego an exciting teaching idea because no resources are available to fund it.  That's why, for over twenty years, we have been proudly offering the Voya Unsung Heroes program.  These grants help bring novel teaching concepts to life and support the outstanding professionals who — every day — are challenging young minds and making a difference in the lives of future generations."

Voya handed out its first Unsung Heroes award in 1996 as a way to demonstrate its commitment to the education community, an important customer group for the company's retirement business. After two decades and nearly $5 million in grant awards, the program continues to be a catalyst for innovative learning.  Each year, 100 finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 grant. The winning projects are chosen based on the creativity of the idea, the teaching method applied and the ability to positively influence students. Out of the 100 finalists, three are selected to receive enhanced awards: $5,000 for third place, $10,000 for second place and $25,000 for first place.

To Be Considered – You Must Apply!

In addition to their financial award, many Voya Unsung Heroes grant recipients are recognized in front of their school community with a surprise check presentation event.  You can witness the reactions of some past recipients at: https://youtu.be/14SWh9QxVg4?t=74. 

In order to be a winner, however, you must apply.  Visit the Voya Unsung Heroes website to find a link to the 2017 application, additional information about the program, and summaries of the previous winners. Applications are currently being accepted through the website until April 30.   

As an industry leader and advocate for greater retirement readiness, Voya Financial is committed to delivering on its vision to be America's Retirement Company™ and its mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time. 

Media Contact
Joe Loparco
Voya Financial
Office:  860.580.2677
Cell:  860.462.6525
jospeh.loparco@voya.com

About Voya Financial^® 
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings — to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 13.6 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $11 billion in revenue in 2016. The company had $484 billion in total assets under management and administration as of Dec. 31, 2016. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time — Voya's vision is to be America's Retirement Company^®. Certified as a "Great Place to Work" by the Great Place to Work^® Institute, Voya is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible and has been recognized as one of the 2017 World's Most Ethical Companies^® by the Ethisphere Institute, as well as one of the Top Green Companies in the U.S., by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook and Twitter @Voya.

SOURCE Voya Financial, Inc.