The New York Life Foundation
Grantmaking that hits close to home.
Inspired by New York Life's tradition of service and humanity, the New York Life Foundation has, since its founding in 1979, provided more than $275 million in charitable contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation invests in programs that benefit young people, particularly in the areas of educational enhancement and childhood bereavement support.
The Foundation also facilitates “people power,” encouraging the community involvement of employees and agents of New York Life who volunteer where and when it matters most.
For nearly 175 years we’ve been entrusted to provide peace of mind through life’s transitions—our grant making efforts are an extension of our mission.
Where we focus our funding.
How we award grants.
Strategic Grants
Most of our grantmaking is by invitation only. Our focus is on childhood grief support, of which we are the largest corporate contributor, and out-of-school-time programs for middle schoolers transitioning to high school.
Local Area Grants
We accept applications through a Request for Proposal (RFP) grant process in our areas of strategic focus via The Grief Reach and Aim High programs.
Employee and Agent Grant Programs
Our corporate signature program, Volunteers for Good, supports the philanthropic activities of our employees and agents. We offer several ways for our workforce to get involved: Individual Volunteer Grants, Team Grants, Community Impact Grants, GSSI Grants, Matching Gifts and a Giving Campaign.
Meet some of our grantees
2018 Education Partners
Supporting BELL Summer, a full-day immersive learning experience that combines academic instruction with fun hands-on enrichment activities.
Funding for City Year’s after-school program, which provides middle school students with skill-building enrichment activities.
National Summer Learning Association
Sponsoring the New York Life Excellence in Summer Learning awards and expanding their programs through our targeted grants.
2018 Bereavement Partners
Supporting eLuna's Camp Erin National Bereavement Camps, as well as their National Bereavement Camp Conference and the National Bereavement Resource Guide.
Helping Club members cope with loss, death and grief by fostering a culture of wellness through their “Be There” program. This grant also enables BGCA to build their Ready, Set, Action curriculum.
Providing funding to help bereavement service providers use the power of stories and StoryCorps to help children cope with the death of a parent, sibling, or loved one.
Grief Reach
Grant Cycle now open.
136,500+ hours
Employee donated time in 2018.
New initiative empowers educators to help grieving students.
Championing grief-sensitive schools.
Building Resilience in the face of Disaster.
New York Life and Alliance for Strong Families and Communities announce grantees for new program.
New Grief App released.
The Center for Complicated Grief at Columbia University’s School of Social Work has launched GriefSteps for Parents, an app designed to provide accessible, community-based support to families following the loss of a loved one.
