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The Cigna Group Foundation

Annual Giving
$16.7M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16,707,105 (2022 data)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by grant program
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $150,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Priority states - AZ, CT, FL, GA, IL, MO, NJ, PA, TN, TX

Contact Details

Website: https://www.thecignagroup.com/our-impact/esg/healthy-society/community/foundation/

Phone: 215-761-1163

Email: foundationgrants@thecignagroup.com

Address: 1601 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19192

Contact Person: Kenneth Seda

Overview

The Cigna Group Foundation (EIN: 23-6261726), established over 50 years ago, is the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group. The foundation has committed more than $27 million in grants over three years (2024-2026) to nonprofit organizations addressing critical health challenges. In 2024, the foundation announced a major philanthropic initiative focusing on youth mental health ($9 million), veteran mental health and housing stability, and reducing barriers to health equity through its Health Equity Impact Fund. The foundation supports programs designed to enhance the health of individuals and families and the well-being of their communities, with special emphasis on children's wellness, senior care, women's health, and health equity. The foundation prioritizes grants in regions where The Cigna Group has a significant number of customers with high social determinants of health risks.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Mental Health Initiative ($3 million annually through 2026)

  • Grant Range: Typically $50,000-$150,000
  • Focus: Programs for youth ages 5-18 addressing post-pandemic stress and distress
  • Goals: Increasing reach of programming that fosters social-emotional skills; equipping parents, caregivers, and youth service professionals; increasing pathways to mental health intervention and access to care
  • Application: Fixed application periods through online portal
  • Notable partnership: $1 million over two years to Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Veterans Mental Health & Housing Stability

  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Focus: Improving mental health of military veterans through housing stability and homeownership with support services
  • Application: Fixed application periods
  • Example award: $250,000 to Habitat for Humanity International

Health Equity Impact Fund ($3 million annually to specific cities)

  • Grant Range: Varies by project scope
  • Focus: Projects directly addressing root causes of specific health disparities in local communities
  • Geographic Focus: Rotating cities (2025: Hartford, CT and St. Louis, MO)
  • Application: Fixed application periods for specific geographic areas

Priority Areas

  • Youth mental health and social-emotional wellness
  • Veterans mental health and housing stability
  • Health equity and reducing barriers to care
  • Children's wellness
  • Senior care
  • Women's health
  • Programs serving underserved populations and addressing healthcare disparities

What They Don't Fund

Organizations:

  • Individuals or organizations established to benefit one individual
  • Organizations whose activities may represent a conflict of interest
  • Capital campaigns
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Organizations or programs with substantial social, religious, or political advocacy
  • Faith-based organizations (unless activities are accessible to the general public and not aimed at promoting one religion over another)
  • Organizations that discriminate
  • Projects not reflecting The Cigna Group's Code of Ethics

Expenses:

  • General operating expenses
  • Administrative costs
  • Indirect costs
  • Fringe benefits
  • Payroll taxes
  • Event sponsorships or fundraisers

Note: Only tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170(b) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible. The foundation also does not sponsor events; sponsorships are handled by The Cigna Group on an invite-only basis.

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Melissa Skottegaard

Recent Board Members (appointed to bring breadth and depth across disciplines, geographies, and experiences):

  • Amy Flaster
  • Sachin Joshi
  • Andrea Nelson
  • Matt Perlberg
  • Celeste Player
  • Melissa Skottegaard
  • Kari Knight Stevens
  • Doug Woodard

Corporate Leadership Connection: David Cordani serves on the board of directors for the CIGNA Foundation. Cordani is Chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group and has emphasized that "the best way to lower health costs is to avoid a health event from ever transpiring." He has stated that creating impact requires considering "how to complement societal programs designed for the 'average' person with customized approaches."

The foundation has been investing in healthier futures for communities for more than 50 years and operates as the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Cigna Group Foundation operates multiple grant programs throughout the year, each with distinct application timelines, award announcement timing, and geographic focus.

Application Portal: Applicants must register and create a login through the Cigna Proposal Management System at cignafoundation.versaic.com

Two-Step Process:

  1. Initial RFA (Request for Application) submission
  2. If eligible and invited, applicants receive an email with a link to submit a full application

Key Requirements:

  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
  • Applicants should align funding requests with the Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP) that accompanies their local Community Needs Assessment (CNA) or Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
  • Salaries for program staff are allowable, but fringe benefits and payroll taxes are not

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant program. Each program has mutually exclusive application periods, with award announcements scheduled according to the specific grant cycle. As of early 2025, application periods for 2025 youth mental health grants, veterans housing stability grants, and Health Equity Impact Fund have closed.

Success Rates

In 2024, the first year of the youth mental health grant program, The Cigna Group Foundation distributed funding to 28 organizations from the pool of applicants. The foundation awarded grants to 22 organizations in its initial youth mental health cohort, with additional organizations added in subsequent rounds. Specific overall success rates and total application numbers are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations with current grants may apply for a second grant, though if approved, the new grant cannot start until the first grant ends. Organizations may only be funded for one active period at a time. For specific guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful submission, applicants should contact foundationgrants@thecignagroup.com.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Community Health Plans: The foundation specifically seeks applicants who align their funding requests with the Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP) for their community. This demonstrates understanding of documented local health needs.

Demonstrate Innovation and Measurable Impact: The foundation seeks "partnerships with groups committed to fostering measurable outcomes and sustainable change." Proposals should "showcase innovative approaches towards addressing health challenges and promoting wellness in communities."

Priority Populations: Priority is given to initiatives that target underserved populations or address healthcare disparities. The foundation focuses on regions with significant numbers of customers facing high social determinants of health risks.

Geographic Alignment: Applications from the priority states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas) are prioritized. Each grant program may have additional specific geographic requirements.

Detailed and Professional Proposals: According to application guidance, successful applicants "provide detailed responses that clearly outline how your project will make a positive impact within the community and include any supporting materials or data that can strengthen your proposal." Applications should be "polished and professional" and "effectively communicate the value of your project and its alignment with Cigna Foundation's goals."

Budget Compliance: Understand and strictly adhere to budget restrictions. Only program staff salaries are allowed - no general operating expenses, administrative costs, indirect costs, fringe benefits, or payroll taxes.

Examples of Funded Organizations (2024):

  • Youth Mental Health: Eluna (grief programming for youth, $150,000), McCall Foundation (adolescent services program), Mindfulness First (Arizona), Children's Bereavement Center (Florida), Wings for Kids (Georgia), Conexión Américas (Tennessee)
  • Veterans: Habitat for Humanity International (homeownership, $250,000)
  • Health Equity: Charter Oak Health Center, Hartford Public Library, Lucille's 1913 Community Kitchen

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know your community health plan: Align applications with your local CHIP/CNA/CHNA to demonstrate understanding of documented community needs and strategic approach to addressing them
  • Focus on the priority states: While the foundation operates globally, strong priority is given to AZ, CT, FL, GA, IL, MO, NJ, PA, TN, and TX
  • Budget strictly for direct program costs: Do not include general operating, administrative, indirect costs, fringe benefits, or payroll taxes - these are explicitly excluded
  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes: The foundation emphasizes "measurable outcomes and sustainable change" - include specific metrics and evaluation plans
  • Target underserved populations: Applications addressing healthcare disparities and serving underserved communities receive priority consideration
  • Plan for program-specific cycles: Each grant program has distinct timelines and geographic focus - monitor the foundation website for announcements about upcoming application periods
  • Showcase innovation: Applications should demonstrate innovative approaches to health challenges, not just continuation of existing services

References

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