MetLife Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $37,401,844 (2023)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (Community Impact Grant Program)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,450,000
• Geographic Focus: International (U.S., Asia, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa)

Contact Details

Address: 200 Park Ave, New York, NY 10166-0005
Phone: 212-578-4133
Website: www.metlife.com/sustainability/MetLife-Foundation/
Email: volunteer@metlife.com (for employee volunteer project funds)

Note: MetLife Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations interested in partnership must complete an inquiry form on their website to express interest and determine alignment.

Overview

Founded in 1976, MetLife Foundation is the independent charitable and grant-awarding arm of MetLife, Inc. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed over $1 billion to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence across more than 37 countries. With assets totaling approximately $127 million and annual giving of $37.4 million (2023), the Foundation operates under the leadership of President and CEO Tia Hodges, who joined in July 2021. The Foundation's mission centers on driving inclusive economic mobility through three strategic focus areas: economic inclusion, financial health, and resilient communities. In 2025, MetLife Foundation announced significant expansions, including a $5 million commitment to expand its Community Impact Grant Program globally and a $9 million commitment as a founding donor of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, demonstrating its continued commitment to addressing systemic barriers facing low-income individuals and families worldwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP)
$20,000 - $200,000 per grant (2025 expansion); previously $5,000 - $50,000
Launched in 2023, this employee-driven program supports grassroots organizations addressing essential needs of low-income communities. Since inception, CIGP has awarded $2.6 million across 16 U.S. cities and six Asia-Pacific countries, supporting over 80 organizations. The 2025 expansion brings funding to all MetLife regions including U.S., Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Applications accepted during specific funding rounds with fixed deadlines.

Strategic Grant Programs
$50,000 - $1,450,000 per grant
Larger strategic grants support major initiatives aligned with the Foundation's three focus areas. Recent examples include a $1.3 million grant to Girls Who Code and various partnerships with organizations driving systemic change in financial inclusion and community resilience.

Employee Volunteer Project Fund
Smaller grants support MetLife employee-led volunteer initiatives in their communities.

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on three interconnected strategic areas:

Economic Inclusion: Programs that advance inclusive economic mobility, particularly for underserved populations including youth employment programs, skills training, and workforce development.

Financial Health: Initiatives that bring financial knowledge, tools, and support to underserved communities, including financial literacy programs, access to financial services, and building household financial resilience.

Resilient Communities: Programs addressing essential community needs including:

• Food security and nutrition access for low-income individuals
• Mental well-being and access to quality mental health services, social connections for seniors, and peer support networks
• Environmental sustainability including clean air and water access, recycling/composting programs, and disaster preparedness
• Quality of life improvements in communities where MetLife operates

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organizations:

• Hospitals
• Religious, political, or social organizations (for sectarian purposes)
• Private foundations
• Disease-specific groups
• Individual recipients
• Organizations with operating budgets under $50,000 or over $5,000,000 (for CIGP)
• Organizations seeking support via fiscal sponsors

Ineligible Activities:

• Payments to schools
• Endowments
• Advertising and sponsorships
• Direct patient care

Governance and Leadership

Tia Hodges - President & CEO, MetLife Foundation; VP, Corporate Giving, Employee Engagement & Volunteerism
Tia Hodges joined MetLife Foundation in July 2021, bringing nearly 20 years of experience creating strategies that drive systemic change at the intersection of philanthropy, nonprofit, and social impact sectors. Under her leadership, the Foundation has evolved its strategic focus and launched the Community Impact Grant Program.

Key quotes from Tia Hodges:

• "We launched CIGP to address some of the most pressing needs that individuals and families are facing in the communities where MetLife has a presence. It's only when essential needs are met can individuals, families and communities begin to feel secure."
• "By combining MetLife's talent with MetLife Foundation's philanthropic investments, we can amplify our impact by leveraging the time, expertise and passion of MetLife employees to be a force multiplier in communities around the world."
• "At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to driving inclusive economic mobility."

Leadership Team:

• Danielle Vetter - Assistant Vice President, Corporate Giving & Employee Engagement
• Jose Rosado - Assistant Vice President, Corporate Giving
• Dimitri Berenstein - Director, Grants & Knowledge Manager
• Charlie Pettigrew - Director, Corporate Giving & Employee Engagement
• April Hawkins - Assistant Vice President, Employee Engagement & Volunteering

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: MetLife Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for partnership.

Step 1: Complete Inquiry Form
Organizations interested in partnership must complete an information form on the MetLife Foundation website (www.metlife.com/sustainability/MetLife-Foundation/resources/grants/). The Foundation uses this form to determine strategic alignment and communicate upcoming funding opportunities.

Step 2: Wait for Invitation
Responding to the inquiry form does not guarantee future funding or engagement. The Foundation will notify organizations if there is potential alignment with upcoming opportunities.

Step 3: Application (if invited)
For the Community Impact Grant Program, when applications are open, the Foundation publishes an RFP on its website with specific deadlines and application requirements. Applications outside the U.S. are by invitation only.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be an independent tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (or equivalent in other countries)
• Operating budget between $50,000 and $5,000,000 (for CIGP)
• Cannot use fiscal sponsors
• Must align with Foundation's strategic focus areas
• Must serve low-income individuals and communities

Decision Timeline

Community Impact Grant Program: Approximately 6-8 weeks from application deadline to decision notification

Recent timelines:

• February 2024 round: Applications due March 15, decisions communicated May 2024
• June 2024 round: Applications due July 17, decisions communicated September 2024

Review Process: MetLife employee volunteers assist in reviewing grant applications as part of the Foundation's employee engagement strategy.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, in the February 2024 CIGP round, the Foundation awarded $805,000 to 47 organizations. Since the program's 2023 launch through 2024, CIGP has supported over 80 organizations with $2.6 million in grants across 16 U.S. cities and six Asia-Pacific countries.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation has not published a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to maintain their information current in the inquiry system and will be notified of relevant funding opportunities as they arise.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: The Foundation explicitly states that strategic alignment is essential. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed work advances economic inclusion, financial health, or resilient communities for low-income populations.

Geographic Presence: Priority is given to communities where MetLife has a significant presence. For the Community Impact Grant Program, grants are awarded in MetLife's key operating regions.

Measurable Impact on Low-Income Communities: Successful applications demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes for people with low incomes. The Foundation emphasizes addressing essential needs that enable individuals and families to feel secure before they can focus on economic mobility.

Employee Engagement Potential: Given the Foundation's strategy of combining philanthropic investments with employee talent, applications that offer opportunities for MetLife employee volunteerism may have added appeal.

Evidence-Based Approaches: Recent grant recipients include organizations implementing proven models (e.g., Medha's comprehensive youth employment approach combining skills training, career counseling, work experience, and alumni networks).

Recent Funded Examples:

• Orange Sky Australia: Provides free laundry, shower services, and conversation to individuals experiencing homelessness
• Medha (India): Combines 21st-century skills training, career counseling, on-the-job work experience, and alumni networks to support youth, especially young women
• The Emily Krzyzewski Family Life Center, Inc.: Community-based programming
• Girls Who Code: Summer programs expanding access to computer science education

Budget Appropriateness: For CIGP, organizations with operating budgets between $50,000 and $5,000,000 are eligible, suggesting the Foundation seeks established but grassroots organizations, not large institutional nonprofits.

Innovation in Address Essential Needs: The Foundation's focus has evolved to recognize that essential needs (food, mental health, environmental quality) must be met before individuals can pursue economic mobility, representing a shift from exclusively financial inclusion programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited proposals accepted: You must first complete the inquiry form and wait for invitation before applying. Start building your case for alignment early.

• Strategic alignment is non-negotiable: Your organization must clearly demonstrate work in economic inclusion, financial health, or resilient communities serving low-income populations. Generic community programs won't make the cut.

• MetLife's geographic footprint matters: The Foundation prioritizes communities where MetLife operates. Research MetLife's office locations and employee presence in your region.

• Think essential needs first, economic mobility second: The Foundation's philosophy is that people need food security, mental well-being, and environmental safety before they can focus on financial health—frame your work accordingly.

• Employee engagement opportunities strengthen applications: While not explicitly required, programs that could meaningfully engage MetLife employee volunteers align with the Foundation's "force multiplier" strategy.

• Budget size matters for CIGP: If targeting the Community Impact Grant Program, ensure your operating budget falls between $50,000 and $5,000,000—too small or too large disqualifies you.

• International applicants face higher barriers: Applications outside the U.S. are by invitation only, making the inquiry form and relationship-building even more critical for non-U.S. organizations.

• Be prepared for employee-volunteer review: Your application will be reviewed by MetLife employee volunteers, so write for an intelligent but potentially non-expert audience—clarity and impact matter more than sector jargon.

References

1. MetLife Foundation Official Website - https://www.metlife.com/sustainability/MetLife-Foundation/ (Accessed December 2024)

2. MetLife Foundation Grants Page - https://www.metlife.com/sustainability/MetLife-Foundation/resources/grants/ (Accessed December 2024)

3. "MetLife Foundation Commits $5 Million to Expand Its Community Impact Grant Program" - https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2025/april/metlife-foundation-commits-5million-to-expand-its-community-impact-grant-program/ (Accessed December 2024)

4. "MetLife Foundation Community Impact Grant Program Opens Application For Second Round Of 2024 Funding" - https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2024/june/metlife-foundation-community-impact-grant-program-opens-application-for-second-round-of-2024-funding/ (Accessed December 2024)

5. "MetLife Foundation Announces Additional 2024 Recipients for Its Community Impact Grant Program" - https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2024/october/metlife-foundation-announces-additional-2024-recipients-for-its-community-impact-grant-program-in-the-us-and-asia-pacific-region/ (Accessed December 2024)

6. "MetLife Names Tia Hodges Head of Corporate Giving and Employee Volunteerism" - https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2021/july/metlife-names-tia-hodges-head-of-corporate-giving-and-employee-volunteerism/ (Accessed December 2024)

7. "MetLife Foundation Expands Employee-Driven Community Impact Grant Program" - https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2024/february/metlife-foundation-expands-employee-driven-community-impact-grant/ (Accessed December 2024)

8. MetLife Foundation Profile - Candid (Foundation Directory) - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=METR001 (Accessed December 2024)

9. MetLife Foundation - GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-2878224 (Accessed December 2024)

10. MetLife Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132878224 (Accessed December 2024)

11. "MetLife and Global Citizen Announce Major Partnership to Drive Economic Change" - https://www.metlife.com/about-us/newsroom/2025/september/metlife-and-global-citizen-announce-major-partnership-to-drive-economic-change-and-foster-resilient-communities/ (Accessed December 2024)

12. MetLife Sustainability Report - Priorities - https://sustainabilityreport.metlife.com/for-our-communities/priorities/ (Accessed December 2024)

13. "Member Spotlight: Tia Hodges" - Asset Funders Network - https://assetfunders.org/field-news/member-spotlight-tia-hodges/ (Accessed December 2024)