Charitable giving

Helping build stronger communities is one of our core values and is reflected in our long-standing tradition of giving back. Every year, we direct significant resources to organizations and initiatives focused on our three pillars of giving: education, health and wellbeing, and arts and culture.

Our focus

Unum seeks to partner with organizations that work within our three preferred areas of focus:

  • Public education — public education is the primary focus of our outreach efforts, and we are committed to supporting organizations that grow strong individuals and school leaders, more successful communities and a prepared future workforce. We partner with public schools, business and community leaders to:
    • Focus on achievement and innovative educational experiences
    • Mentor youth through organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters
    • Collaborate with business and community leaders to impact education at the local and state level
  • Health & Wellbeing — we support organizations that provide programs and services to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Additionally, we partner with organizations that help people with disabilities lead independent and fulfilling lives.
  • Arts & Culture — we believe that a truly vibrant community includes engaging outlets and opportunities for cultural education. We understand for a community to reap the benefits of these institutions, we need to provide opportunities for students to use these places to connect classroom curriculum with real-world experience.

Requests for contributions

Requests are considered throughout the year and are reviewed by our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) representatives in our local areas. One request per year will be considered from an organization during a 12-month period. Proposals can be submitted online.

Recipients of a Unum grant can submit a follow up summary by submitting this application.

Include the following in your application:

  • A cover letter on the organization's letterhead describing the purpose of the contribution and who will benefit from the requested funding.
  • A proposal that includes the amount of the request.
  • The organization's operating budget for the current year. If the request is for a specific program, include the program budget as well.
  • The organization's most up-to-date year-end financial statements.
  • An IRS letter of tax-exempt charitable status under Section 501(c)3 and proof that the organization is not a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a) of the IRS code.
  • A list of the organization's current board of directors.

Grants will not be awarded to:

  • Organizations that have a written policy of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
  • Nonprofits serving clients outside our home office regions
  • Political organizations and political candidates
  • Religious or anti-religious organizations and institutions
  • Individuals
  • Athletic events or teams
  • School groups or clubs
  • Organizations whose primary missions is animal welfare
  • Organizations whose primary work is advocacy and not direct services
  • Organizations whose primary purpose is to raise money or fund programs that are not direct services of the requesting organization

Submitting requests

Contribution requests may be sent to Unum via the CSR in your local area.

If you would like more information about our corporate giving program, email your requests to Giving@unum.com or to one of the above mentioned CSR Representatives. Please include your full name, phone number with area code, and the name of the organization that you represent.

Matching gifts program

Unum sponsors a matching gifts program that lets us directly support our employees' philanthropic efforts to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. The program will match eligible gifts from a minimum of $50 to an aggregate maximum gift of $10,000 per employee, per calendar year. We provide matching gifts on a $2-for-$1 basis to accredited colleges, universities, graduate schools, secondary and elementary schools within the United States and Canada. Gifts to qualified non-profit organizations are matched $1 for $1.

Employee participation gift

The employee participation gift is a $50 grant given to a qualified non-profit on behalf of a Unum employee who participated in an approved fundraising event. Events include fundraising walks, runs and bicycle rides. Tournaments of any kind do not qualify for the gift. The form must be filled out and sent to the organization who will return it to us after participation can be verified. We cannot reimburse employees for any fees or donations made toward any event. An employee can request up to five employee participation gifts in a calendar year.

Volunteer service grant

Unum also sponsors a volunteer service grant program for employees. We will match $1 for each hour an employee volunteers, from a minimum of 50 hours ($50) up to 500 hours ($500) per year. An employee may report volunteered hours accumulated from a single and/or multiple eligible organizations and combine those hours to meet the minimum volunteer requirement.