The Cigna Group Foundation Grants and Funding FAQs

The Cigna Group Foundation does not fund general operating expenses, administrative costs, and indirect costs. The budget narrative for each grant should reflect all the expenses required for the specific grant project.

Salaries for staff members are allowable for the related program, but no fringe benefits or payroll taxes are acceptable by The Cigna Group Foundation. All other expenses will be reviewed by The Cigna Group Foundation grant review team.

Only public charitable organizations currently recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170(b) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to receive or benefit from charitable funding from The Cigna Group Foundation. The following 501(c)(3) statuses will be considered:

• 170(B)(1)(a)(i)
• 170(B)(1)(a)(ii)
• 170(B)(1)(a)(iii)
• 170(B)(1)(a)(iv)
• 170(B)(1)(a)(v)
• 170(B)(1)(a)(vi)
• 509(A)(2)

Additionally, the organization must be registered with the Benevity causes portal.

The Cigna Group^® and The Cigna Group Foundation reserve the right to reject requests to provide funding to organizations that discriminate or for projects that do not reflect the general principles of the Code of Ethics of The Cigna Group and Workplace Policies. The Cigna Group will not support any organization whose activities may represent a conflict of interest for it or any of its companies. Specific examples include: individuals or organizations established to benefit one individual; capital campaigns, fraternal organizations, organizations or programs whose mission includes a substantial element of social, religious, or political advocacy; faith-based organizations, unless the activities being funded are accessible to the general public and are not aimed at promoting one religion or faith over any other.

Yes. However, organizations may only be funded for one active period of time. In other words, if you have a current grant from The Cigna Group Foundation, you may apply for a second grant. If approved, the new grant cannot start until the first grant ends.

You do not need a separate fiscal sponsor, but you do need to be a qualified charity. Please see the above question related to the types of eligible organizations.

The Cigna Group Foundation does not sponsor events and/or fundraisers. Sponsorships are funded by The Cigna Group and are on an invite-only basis.

We consider proposals from U.S.-based organizations that are executing projects outside of the United States.

If you are facing a technical issue with your application, please email foundationgrants@thecignagroup.com.

If you need to withdraw your application, please email foundationgrants@thecignagroup.com. 

No, The Cigna Group Foundation supports nonprofit organizations through programmatic grant funding specific to the criteria and eligibility for the grant program featured on our website.

The budget narrative should reflect eligible expenses required for the specific grant request only. Salaries for staff members are allowed for related program implementation. Non-eligible expenses include fringe benefits, payroll taxes, general operating expenses, and administrative and indirect costs. All other expenses will be reviewed by The Cigna Group Foundation grant review team.

While we support many communities globally, we prioritize grants in regions where we have a significant number of customers with high social determinants of health risks. The Cigna Group Foundation prioritizes grants that offer programming and resources to community members across Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. There may be exceptions, so please refer to our website for the most up-to-date information about our grant programs.