Cigna Group – Improving Youth Mental Health (2026)
$150,000 Program Grants Supporting Youth Mental Health in Underserved Communities
The The Cigna Group Foundation is accepting Requests for Application (RFAs) for its Improving Youth Mental Health grant program. This initiative supports nonprofit organizations working to address post-pandemic stress and distress among youth ages 5–18, with a strong emphasis on underserved communities.
Through a $9 million, three-year commitment, the Foundation is investing in evidence-informed programs that strengthen social-emotional well-being, equip caregivers and youth-serving professionals, and expand access to mental health interventions.
Organization
The Cigna Group Foundation
Grant Name
Improving Youth Mental Health (2026)
Support Type
Programmatic grants (project-based)
Grant Amount
💰 $150,000 (fixed request amount)
Grant Term
📅 12 months
📅 Grant term begins August 1, 2026
About the Funder
The Cigna Group Foundation is committed to improving health equity and well-being across the United States. Its youth mental health initiative responds directly to the growing mental health crisis facing children and adolescents, particularly those in communities with limited access to high-quality, evidence-based care. By supporting both youth and the adults who care for them, the Foundation aims to create lasting, systemic impact.
What This Program Supports
The Foundation seeks to fund evidence-informed projects aligned with one of the following program goals:
1. Social-Emotional Learning & Well-Being
Focus: SEL in school and after-school settings
Projects that expand access to programming that fosters social-emotional skills, resilience, and overall well-being among youth.
2. Caregiver & Youth-Serving Professional Capacity
Focus: Family–school partnerships
Initiatives that increase the number of parents, caregivers, educators, and youth-service professionals who feel equipped to support youth mental health.
3. Access to Mental Health Intervention
Focus: Trauma-focused services
Programs that strengthen pathways to mental health intervention and improve access to care, particularly for youth who have experienced trauma.
Geographic Focus
Funded programs must operate in one or more of the following states:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
Eligibility & Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (eligible subsections only)
- Submit a $150,000 program budget aligned solely to the proposed project
- Clearly articulate progress and impact measurement, including outputs and short- and long-term outcomes
- Demonstrate how activities lead to sustainable improvements in youth mental health
- Agree to complete a 6-month progress report and final report at the end of the grant term
Allowable costs: Program-related staff salaries
Ineligible costs: Fringe benefits, payroll taxes, general operating expenses, administrative or indirect costs
Application Process
This is a two-step application process:
- Request for Application (RFA):
Submit the initial RFA through the Foundation’s online portal. - Full Application (by invitation only):
Eligible organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Key Dates & Timeline
📅 RFA Opens: February 3, 2026
📅 RFA Deadline: March 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
📅 Invitations to Apply: March 18, 2026
📅 Full Application Due: April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
📅 Decision Notifications: Late June 2026
📅 Grant Term Begins: August 1, 2026
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This grant is well-suited for nonprofits that:
- Serve underserved youth and families
- Work in schools, after-school programs, or community-based settings
- Focus on SEL, caregiver capacity-building, or trauma-informed care
- Can demonstrate strong evaluation practices and measurable outcomes
Apply / Learn More
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Review Type: Competitive, two-step process
- Geographic Limitation: Yes (10 states)
- Funding Type: Program-restricted
- Best Suited For: Youth-serving nonprofits with strong evaluation capacity and school or community-based mental health programs
