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 $300 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 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.
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 $300 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 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.
A story about grief, strength, and love.
The Golden Sweater is a story about a little boy named Kai who, together with his mother, learns how to navigate a profound loss in their family. The book is dedicated to children and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. The New York Life Foundation will donate $1 for every download of The Golden Sweater up to $175,000 to one of our four bereavement partners.
Where we focus our funding.
Bereavement Support
We are a leading resource for helping educators, families, communities and caregivers learn how to support children who have lost a parent or sibling. This focus aligns with our purpose, and who we are as a company.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has presented an opportunity to develop resiliency in children and young adults. We are providing articles, videos and resources in collaboration with our trusted partners that will provide helpful information to support families as they navigate through this unprecedent time.
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Supporting Our Workforce
We provide Engagement Grants where and when there is a particular passion from our employees and agents towards a cause. We support, help facilitate, and recognize those who work locally to impact their communities. They put in the sweat; the Foundation puts in the equity.
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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
2019 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.
2019 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
Grief Reach Spring Cycle - Community Expansion: Now Open!
Application period: Monday, February 10th - Monday March 9th 2020
145,000+ hours
Employee donated time in 2019.
Featured Articles
New York Life Foundation partners with 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Supports Art Cart's activities for kids and the Anniversary in the Schools Webinar.
It's time to magnify our focus on the "Magnificent Middle"
New York Life and Alliance for Strong Families and Communities announce grantees for new program.
New initiative empowers educators to help grieving students.
Championing grief-sensitive schools.
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.
