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.

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.

Gifts in motion

Gifts in Motion 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.

Time is money

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.

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.

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

Social justice fund requests

The Unum Social Justice Fund will help create stronger, more equitable communities by supporting organizations working to end racism, discrimination and bias.

We are currently funding organizations committed to racial justice.

We seek to support

  • Organizations with diverse, democratic leadership structures
  • Organizations working to address the root causes of racism, discrimination and bias
  • Organizations working toward social, racial or economic change in disadvantaged communities
  • Grassroots organizing
  • Civic engagement
  • Youth engagement

We will not fund

  • Direct services to individuals or families
  • Individuals or scholarship programs
  • Capital or endowment campaigns
  • State agencies or government programs
  • Businesses or business associations
  • Religious organizations and activities
  • Organizations whose primary purpose is to raise money or fund programs that are not direct services of the requesting organization

Applying for funding:

  • Applications will be reviewed on a bi-monthly basis.
  • Organizations are eligible to apply once per 12-month funding cycle.
  • Grants will range from $2,500 to $10,000.

Questions?

Reach out to the CSR Representative in your local area.