Cigna Foundation Grant Application: Full Details

If you’re ready to tackle health equity through targeted nonprofit programs, the Cigna Foundation grant might be your next opportunity. You’ll need to be a registered 501(c)(3) organization and focus on areas like youth mental health, housing stability for veterans, or childhood nutrition.

The application demands a clear budget narrative tied directly to project goals, emphasizing program-related costs.

Timing is tight, with submissions accepted only from February 12 to March 13 annually, so preparing your proposal carefully could be essential. But what exactly qualifies, and how can you maximize your impact through this funding?

Key Takeaways

• The Cigna Foundation grant is open to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits excluding advocacy, political, capital campaign, and fraternal groups.
• The 2025 Request for Application (RFA) opens February 12 and closes March 13, with full applications due April 9 for invited applicants.
• Budgets must focus on program-specific costs; staff salaries for program delivery are allowed, but general operating and administrative expenses are excluded.
• Grants target areas such as youth mental health, veteran housing stability, and childhood nutrition, emphasizing health equity and community impact.
• Technical support and application assistance are provided via [email protected] to guide applicants through submission and address issues.

Eligibility Criteria for Nonprofit Organizations

If you’re a nonprofit hoping to apply for a Cigna Foundation grant, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility requirements.

Only public charitable organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170(b) qualify. Nonprofit eligibility excludes organizations that discriminate, conflict with the Code of Ethics, or focus on advocacy or politics.

Capital campaigns and fraternal groups aren’t eligible. Faith-based organizations may apply if their activities are open to the public and not religiously exclusive.

U.S.-based groups can propose projects abroad, but must prioritize regions with high social risks and significant Cigna customer presence.

Program-Related Costs and Budget Requirements

When you’re preparing your Cigna Foundation grant application, you’ll need to structure your budget around program-related costs that directly support your project’s goals and outcomes.

You can allocate funds for staff salaries tied to program implementation, but you won’t be able to include fringe benefits, payroll taxes, or general operating expenses in your request.

Your budget narrative must clearly connect each expense to your intended results, as the grant review team will scrutinize how your requested funds translate into measurable impact for the youth mental health initiatives you’re proposing—especially when your project aligns with efforts that complement educational financial awards, support justice-impacted individuals, and enhance services for individuals with impairments.

Allowable Expense Guidelines

Budgeting for the Cigna Foundation grant requires careful adherence to allowable expense guidelines to guarantee that only program-related costs directly tied to your project receive funding.

You can allocate funds for staff salaries when they’re directly involved in program implementation. However, you’ll need to exclude fringe benefits, payroll taxes, general operating expenses, and administrative costs from your budget.

Your budget narrative must clearly specify expenses particular to your grant project. By aligning your allowable expenses with grant criteria and ensuring transparency in your budget documentation, you’ll strengthen your application and demonstrate fiscal responsibility to the review team—especially if your project supports solo caregivers and nonprofit organizations.

Salary and Fringe Restrictions

To maximize your grant funding and avoid application delays, you’ll want to understand exactly which salary expenses qualify for reimbursement and which don’t.

The Cigna Group Foundation allows salary allocation for staff directly involved in program implementation but explicitly excludes fringe benefits and payroll taxes from funding.

Your budget narrative must clearly justify salary expenses specific to the grant project to align with these restrictions.

Remember, general operating, administrative, and indirect costs are also ineligible.

All other costs you submit will undergo review to verify eligibility, so be precise and focused on allowable salary allocation only.

Ineligible Organizations and Project Types

Although many organizations seek funding from the Cigna Foundation, certain entities and project types are explicitly ineligible.

To meet funding restrictions, you must verify your organization is eligible before applying. Specifically, the following ineligible organizations and projects won’t be considered:

• Individuals, capital campaigns, and fraternal organizations
• Faith-based organizations promoting specific religions or limiting accessibility
• Advocacy programs with substantial political elements
• Any organization that discriminates or conflicts with Cigna’s Code of Ethics

These rules help maintain alignment with the Foundation’s mission and ethical standards, closing funding doors for ineligible organizations and certain project types.

Grant Application Process and Timeline

Now that you know which organizations and projects don’t qualify, let’s walk through how to actually apply for a Cigna Foundation grant. The application process involves two distinct steps: submitting an RFA (Request for Application) first, then proceeding to the full application if you’re invited. You’ll need to contact [email protected] for technical support. Here’s your grant timeline and application tips:

Ensure your budget narrative reflects only project-specific expenses—no administrative costs allowed. You can hold multiple grants sequentially, but only one can be active simultaneously.

International Funding Opportunities

You can apply for Cigna Foundation grants if your U.S.-based organization runs projects outside the U.S., especially in states like Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, where the Foundation prioritizes international efforts.

All the same eligibility rules that apply to domestic grants also apply to your international proposal, so make sure your project meets those standards.

Focus your application on addressing health disparities and improving community health, but avoid any faith-based activities that promote a single religion.

Regional Priority Areas

The Cigna Group Foundation targets its grant funding to regions where it has a strong customer presence and where social determinants of health create the greatest need, including both domestic and international areas.

You’ll find regional health and grant priorities focused specifically on addressing health disparities and improving access to services.

Priority regions include:

• Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois
• Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas

Projects must align with regional health needs and foundation standards.

International proposals are eligible but follow the same priority criteria.

This regional focus guarantees your project tackles pressing local health challenges effectively.

Eligibility Criteria

Understanding organizational eligibility is fundamental to securing Cigna Foundation funding for international projects.

To meet grant eligibility, you must be a U.S.-based nonprofit with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170(b). Your project should align with Cigna’s regional priorities, focusing on states such as Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas.

Political advocacy projects are ineligible. Collaboration with local partners in target international regions strengthens your proposal and impact.

Ensuring compliance with these nonprofit requirements maximizes your chances for funding consideration by the Cigna Group Foundation.

International Proposal Focus

• Proposals must come from U.S.-based organizations executing international projects.
• Prioritize initiatives addressing social determinants of health in targeted regions.
• Align projects with Cigna’s philanthropic goals on health equity.
• Demonstrate clear strategies for sustainability and measurable impact in global health.

Application Support and Withdrawal Procedures

When you’re guiding through The Cigna Group Foundation’s grant application process, having reliable support channels can make all the difference in successfully submitting your proposal.

For application troubleshooting, you can quickly reach out via email to [email protected] for prompt assistance with any technical issues you encounter.

If you need to perform grant withdrawal, simply email the same address with your request, ensuring clear and direct communication.

This approach provides effective navigation through the application process, helping you address errors or withdrawal requests swiftly to enable timely processing and avoid delays in your grant pursuit.

Our Path Forward: Community Impact

You’re poised to build stronger communities by partnering with local organizations that know their needs best and can drive meaningful health improvements.

By empowering these partnerships, you’ll create targeted initiatives addressing social determinants of health and advancing health equity.

Together, you can deliver lasting impact by focusing resources where they matter most and fostering collaborative solutions.

Building Stronger Communities

By investing over $27 million across three years, the Cigna Group Foundation drives meaningful change by partnering with local organizations to build stronger, healthier communities.

You’ll see their focus on community innovation and resilience strategies to improve well-being, especially in vulnerable populations. They work closely with nonprofits to guarantee practical impacts and sustained improvement.

• Prioritize mental health initiatives for youth aged 5 to 18, addressing post-pandemic challenges
• Foster collaboration with local partners to share best practices
• Invest in access to essential health resources and services
• Strengthen community resilience through targeted support programs

Empowering Local Partnerships

Local partnerships form the backbone of how the Cigna Group Foundation transforms its $27 million commitment into tangible community impact.

You utilize proven partnership models that emphasize local outreach, working closely with nonprofits rooted in their communities. This collaborative approach allows you to implement best practices that improve access to mental health resources and address health disparities among vulnerable populations.

Driving Health Equity

Although improving health equity requires systemic change, you can accelerate progress by strategically investing in hyper-local solutions that address the root causes of health disparities.

The Cigna Group Foundation’s approach demonstrates this commitment through targeted funding that tackles barriers directly affecting community well-being.

• Expand culturally appropriate care by partnering with nonprofits serving diverse populations in underserved areas
• Address social determinants like transportation, housing, and food access that influence health outcomes
• Support evidence-informed programs that tackle specific disparities identified by local communities
• Collaborate with trusted organizations possessing deep community networks and cultural competency

Your investment in these strategies transforms health equity from aspirational goal into measurable community impact.

Who We Are: The Cigna Group Foundation

The Cigna Group Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group, committed to improving health and well-being in communities by investing in essential initiatives.

For over 50 years, we’ve supported programs that strengthen community health and foster youth engagement. We focus on addressing basic needs, especially health care access for vulnerable populations.

By partnering with nonprofits, we drive impactful change in areas like youth mental health and housing stability. We prioritize emotional well-being for youth aged 5 to 18, responding to growing mental health challenges.

Our work empowers communities and creates healthier futures for all.

Our Grant Programs and Focus Areas

To support your efforts in creating healthier communities, our grant programs concentrate on addressing key challenges such as youth mental health, housing stability for veterans, and childhood nutrition.

We empower youth by increasing access to evidence-informed mental health resources and fostering social-emotional skills in children ages 5 to 18.

• Strengthen youth empowerment through trauma-informed after-school programs and social-emotional learning
• Improve housing stability initiatives to support veterans’ mental health outcomes
• Expand access to mental health services for military families
• Address childhood food insecurity and nutrition via the Healthier Kids For Our Future program

Our grants fund innovative nonprofits committed to these essential causes.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

You’ll find that local partnerships are key to Cigna Foundation’s community engagement strategy, enabling tailored support that meets specific local needs.

By collaborating closely with nonprofits, the Foundation strengthens networks that multiply impact and build lasting connections.

This approach benefits communities by leveraging combined expertise and resources, making health and well-being improvements more effective and sustainable.

Local Partnership Strategies

Building strong local partnerships is key to tackling youth mental health challenges effectively. Your local engagement strategy should prioritize innovative nonprofits with proven capacity and reach in your community.

Partnership development works best when you align with organizations that already possess deep community connections and understand local needs.

• Collaborate with nonprofits delivering evidence-informed programs tailored to your community’s specific youth mental health challenges
• Utilize partner expertise to identify underserved populations and design culturally responsive interventions
• Engage local staff through volunteer opportunities—tutoring, mentoring, and mental health kit building—strengthening organizational ties
• Support partner capacity-building through clinical training and resource development, enabling sustainable long-term impact

This collaborative approach guarantees your foundation’s resources create meaningful, lasting change where communities need it most.

Community Collaboration Benefits

Strengthening Nonprofit Networks

You’ve seen how sharing resources and building trust with local organizations multiplies the impact of community programs.

Strengthening nonprofit networks through the Cigna Foundation’s grant programs creates sustainable pathways for meaningful change.

• Network Development: Collaborative partnerships with nonprofits like Boys & Girls Clubs expand reach into underserved communities.
• Resource Sharing: Funding allocates essential support for evidence-informed programs addressing trauma and social-emotional learning.
• Employee Engagement: Staff involvement in decision-making guarantees initiatives align with authentic local priorities.
• Evidence-Based Strategies: Supporting trauma-informed care and community-centered solutions fosters long-term health outcomes.

Strategic Commitments and Community Needs

Since the youth mental health crisis continues to intensify in the post-pandemic era, The Cigna Group Foundation has strategically committed $9 million over three years to address this urgent need.

You’ll find that strategic partnerships with innovative nonprofits form the backbone of this initiative, enabling you to reach vulnerable populations effectively. Through targeted community engagement, you’re tailoring programs to local health disparities while fostering social-emotional skills among youth aged 5-18.

Your foundation prioritizes supporting caregivers and professionals alongside children, creating comprehensive networks that deliver evidence-informed interventions.

Improving Youth Mental Health Initiatives

The Cigna Group Foundation’s Improving Youth Mental Health Initiatives translate strategic commitment into actionable programs that directly address post-pandemic mental health challenges facing children and teens.

You’ll empower youth through evidence-informed interventions, fostering resilience and healthy coping strategies. These initiatives prioritize youth empowerment and mental health by collaborating with nonprofits to expand access and support.

• Fund programs that build social-emotional skills and youth empowerment
• Partner with organizations for scalable mental health interventions
• Support early identification and treatment of mental health concerns
• Equip parents, caregivers, and professionals to nurture youth mental health

Supporting Veteran Communities

Although veterans face unique challenges, you can make a meaningful impact by supporting initiatives tailored to improve their quality of life and mental health. Community initiatives like those with Veterans Community Project and Soldiers’ Angels provide veteran support through housing, comfort, and essential services. Volunteer efforts include building homes, landscaping, painting, and delivering no-sew blankets. These actions create supportive environments and address mental health needs.

Disaster Relief Efforts and Community Resilience

You’ve seen how targeted support can uplift veterans and strengthen their communities, but resilience isn’t just about recovery—it’s also about how communities respond when disaster strikes.

The Cigna Group Foundation commits funding to nonprofits delivering immediate and sustained aid during natural or human-caused crises. Their disaster preparedness strategies and community recovery initiatives focus on strengthening support systems and enhancing resilience.

By collaborating with trusted nonprofits, the Foundation guarantees access to essential services like food, shelter, and health care. This community engagement fosters coordinated responses and long-lasting recovery.

• Funding nonprofits for immediate and sustained disaster aid
• Implementing disaster preparedness strategies
• Supporting community recovery initiatives to build resilience
• Coordinating services: food, shelter, healthcare access

Community Vitality Projects and Local Impact

When you engage directly in funding decisions through the Community Vitality Project, you empower local employees to channel resources to nonprofits that actively improve community well-being.

Each year, $25,000 is allocated among three key organizations, prioritizing impactful community initiatives. By emphasizing community engagement and local collaborations—like those with Boys & Girls Clubs—you help provide essential resources and activities that foster youth development.

Employee involvement in these choices builds a stronger sense of connection and responsibility toward local needs. This initiative blends fun, fitness, and fundraising, creating a positive ripple effect on community health and vibrancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply for a Foundation Grant?

You’ll start by visiting The Cigna Group Foundation website to review grant eligibility criteria. Then you’ll submit your Request for Application (RFA) through their online portal, meeting the specified deadline for your chosen application submission process.

Why Are Doctors Dropping Cigna?

You’re experiencing doctor dissatisfaction because Cigna’s low insurance reimbursement rates don’t cover care costs, administrative burdens delay claims processing, and narrow networks restrict patient access, pressuring physicians to prioritize cost-saving over treatment quality.

What Is the Cigna World of Difference Grant?

You’ll secure $50,000-$150,000 through the Cigna World of Difference grant to eliminate health disparities. Your nonprofit addresses social determinants affecting ethnicity, race, gender, age, and economics, creating measurable community impact while partnering with Cigna’s expertise.

How Do Foundation Grants Work?

You’ll navigate a thoughtful financial opportunity by meeting grant eligibility requirements and fulfilling funding criteria. Submit project-specific expenses, avoid administrative costs, and demonstrate measurable impact to secure support for your community initiative.

Conclusion

You might worry the application process is complex, but it’s designed to clearly tie your budget to project goals, focusing only on program-related costs like staff salaries directly for implementation. Imagine your proposal as a straightforward roadmap: link each expense to a specific outcome in youth mental health, housing, or nutrition, showing exactly how your initiative drives community change. This clarity strengthens your chance to secure funding and create sustainable impact.