Charitable giving

We help build strong and sustainable communities by partnering with organizations that give individuals and families — no matter their race, demographic or socioeconomic status — what they need to thrive.

Our focus areas

Equitable Pathways

We’re committed to providing equitable opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged students to thrive. We do this by funding programs that:

  • Encourage social-emotional health
  • Provide career and post-secondary preparation
  • Remove barriers to post-secondary success

Healthier Communities

We strive to support those who are disproportionately at risk to adverse health outcomes by funding innovative and action-oriented health and wellbeing programs. We're taking a concentrated interest in mental and behavioral health. In this area we aim to:

  • Strengthen the capacity of health and other related systems to respond to and care for individuals
  • Decrease stigma, discrimination and social isolation by transforming the way we think and talk about mental health
  • Support youth with early intervention resources

In addition to the above mental health focus, our grant funding will also support:

  • Increased equity in health
  • Access to essential health services

Social Justice

Creating stronger, more equitable communities by supporting organizations working to end racism, discrimination and bias with a focus on these four categories:

  • Systemic and policy change
    • Support action-oriented programs that champion solutions that work to permanently reverse or eradicate discriminatory or bias-led systems and policies.
  • Training
    • Provide training aimed to help individuals and organizations understand racial and social injustice, build empathy toward traditionally marginalized groups and communities, and create more equitable organizations and systems.
  • Economic justice
    • Work with marginalized communities to promote financial inclusion and prevent exploitation due to economic status.
  • Civic engagement
    • Engage in programs that provide a voice to marginalized individuals or groups so that they may address issues or concerns regarding their community.

Social Justice grants range from $2,500 to $10,000.

Ready Response

We're committed to supporting Unum communities and our employees when disaster strikes. This includes funding for programs and services that focus on:

  • Disaster preparedness
  • Disaster response

Request for contributions

Requests are considered throughout the year and are reviewed by our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) representatives in our local areas. Please contact the CSR representative in your community before completing an application:

Charitable giving applications:

Charitable giving guidelines

Unum does not fund:

  • Organizations that have a written policy of discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression
  • Religious or anti-religious organizations and activities
  • Institutions or organizations that promote violence or discrimination
  • Political institutions or campaigns
  • Capital or endowment campaigns that don’t align with our program objectives
  • For-profit businesses
  • College or university associations, alumni dues or alumni activities
  • Extracurricular activities (Little League, sport teams, etc.)
  • Direct services to individuals or families
  • Rotaries, social clubs and social club foundations (sororities, fraternities, etc.)

Matching gifts program

Unum sponsors a matching gifts program that lets us directly support our employees' philanthropic efforts to qualified nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Gifts to qualified nonprofit organizations are matched $1 for $1 according to the guidelines.