The Cigna Group Foundation Addresses Mental Health and Housing Stability for Veterans with $3 Million in Grants
- Nonprofits are encouraged to apply now for 2025 funding
- The Cigna Group Foundation committed $9 million in 2024 to address veteran mental health, distributing $3 million each year through 2026
- In first year, 23 grantees were awarded grants to help local veterans feel stable where they live, create positive impact on their mental health
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI), announced today a new round of grants aimed at improving the mental health of military veterans. As part of a $9 million, three-year commitment that began in 2024, this latest funding focuses on nonprofits working to address the significant impact that social determinants of health, specifically housing stability, have on veteran mental health.
The 2025 grant request for application is now open for eligible organizations in select states and will close at 5 p.m. ET on August 7, 2025.
"Many veterans struggle with trauma during and after their time of service, which has a direct impact on their daily living," said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. "We believe that a stable home environment is crucial to improving the mental health of those who have served our nation and look forward to partnering with organizations committed to this vital work."
The Cigna Group Foundation will prioritize grants in regions where The Cigna Group serves a significant number of customers with high and very high social determinant of health risks, including Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. The goals of this grant program include increasing permanent housing available for veterans; improving affordability of housing for veterans through rental or mortgage assistance; and enhancing the offering of wraparound services for veterans transitioning from shelters.
Compared to the general population, military veterans face an increased risk of homelessness, with an estimated 40,000 veterans who go without shelter on any given night. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the number of veterans experiencing homelessness increased by 7% between 2022 and 2023.
First-year Grants Supported Programs to Expand Wraparound Services and Enable Housing for Veterans
In 2024, the first year of the veteran mental health grant program, The Cigna Group Foundation distributed funding to 23 organizations. Funded initiative examples include:
- Opportunity Center for the Homeless. The center serves a community in Texas, and grant funding helped expand their Veterans Rapid Rehousing Program, allowing more veterans and their families to live in permanent apartments instead of in crowded shelters. Clients are eligible to receive supportive services, such as medical care, mental health treatment, case management, and more.
- Tennessee Homeless Solutions. This nonprofit has expanded its services to financially assist veteran homeowners facing foreclosure with the grant investment. All assisted households receive direct referrals to the supportive services they need to sustain stability.
- Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard. Based in Pittsburgh, grant funding helped the nonprofit improve wraparound services by leasing vehicles for case managers to meet veterans where they are with crucial, on-the-ground support. Additionally, the funding provides financial assistance for almost 200 veterans, covering costs such as security deposits and rent.
Additional Company Support
Employee volunteerism also plays a key role in The Cigna Group's support of veteran mental health. The Cigna Group Foundation recently committed support for American Corporate Partners' (ACP's) corporate mentoring program. This collaboration aims to provide meaningful career opportunities and mentorships for veterans, service members transitioning to the civilian workforce, and active-duty military spouses. To date, over 30 employees are actively mentoring a veteran or military spouse. Learn more about how we're giving back to and supporting the veteran community.
The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful partnerships with nonprofits, and in 2024 announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative committing more than $27 million in grants over three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health, and reducing barriers to health equity.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 189 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society's greatest health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and care in geographies demonstrating significant need, The Cigna Group Foundation responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and strengthens colleagues' support of causes through matching donations and volunteer rewards. To learn more, visit www.thecignagroup.com/community.
Media Contact
Jocelyn Parker
(313) 510-4173
[email protected]
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-cigna-group-foundation-addresses-mental-health-and-housing-stability-for-veterans-with-3-million-in-grants-302499630.html
SOURCE The Cigna Group