Improving Youth Mental Health

Overview

The Cigna Group seeks to collaborate with and support nonprofits that leverage evidence-informed programs and services to serve local youth experiencing the most need. For the first year of our three-year commitment, we will focus on investing in approaches that drive outcomes to address mental health concerns early; and strategically offer programming, intervention and access to care in schools and related settings in underserved communities.  

Funding Goals:   

• Increase reach of programming that foster social-emotional skills and well-being. 
• Increase pathways to mental health intervention and access to care. 
• Increase the number of parents, caregivers, and youth service professionals who feel equipped to provide support. 

Project Objectives:  

The Cigna Group Foundation is committing $9 million over three years to improve the mental health of youth (ages 5–18) as it relates to post-pandemic stress and distress. This commitment includes support for those who care for youth in everyday settings and interactions, including their parents, caregivers, and youth service professionals, such as educators and therapists. 

Grant Program Eligibility & Requirements:  

• The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and within one of the specific subsections of the Internal Revenue Code (see FAQ ).  
• The budget narrative should reflect all eligible expenses required for the specific grant project. Salaries for staff members are allowable for the related program. Non-eligible expenses include fringe benefits or payroll taxes, general operating expenses, and administrative and indirect costs.  
• Progress and impact measurement, including activity tracking practices and evaluation methodology, as well as alignment to the ability to address health disparities, should be clearly articulated in the application.  
• The measurement approach should include connecting how program outputs and short-term outcomes drive to long-term, sustainable improved mental health among youth. For example, for the grant program goal to increase the number of parents, caregivers and youth service professionals who feel equipped to support, we’ll seek to understand an aligned measure, such as number of staff members in school or related settings (e.g., after-school programs) trained in mental health literacy or other related trainings that teach how to identify signs and symptoms of youth in distress.  
• Grantees awarded funding will be expected to complete a progress report (at six months) and final report (at twelve months, end of term).