Cigna Foundation Offers $250K in Grants to Memphis Nonprofits to Expand Health Care Access
The The Cigna Group Foundation has announced a significant expansion of its Impact Fund to Memphis, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to improving community health outcomes across the state of Tennessee. This initiative builds on years of philanthropic investment, employee volunteerism, and collaborative partnerships aimed at addressing key health challenges faced by underserved populations.
As the charitable arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), the Foundation continues to prioritize programs that enhance population health. Its latest expansion into Memphis reflects a strategic effort to broaden its reach and tackle persistent barriers to care, including limited access to primary healthcare services, inadequate nutrition, and other social determinants that influence long-term well-being.
Ellie Polack, president of The Cigna Group Foundation, emphasized the organization’s deep-rooted ties to Tennessee and its communities. She highlighted that the state is home to thousands of employees and their families, making it a key area of focus for the Foundation’s philanthropic initiatives. Through a combination of financial support, local partnerships, and employee-driven volunteer efforts, the Foundation has already made a measurable impact statewide. The expansion into Memphis represents the next phase of this commitment, with a focus on deepening engagement and addressing health disparities more directly.
Grant Opportunities for Memphis Nonprofits
As part of the expansion, the Foundation is inviting nonprofit organizations in the Memphis area to apply for grants of up to $250,000. These grants will be distributed over a two-year period to support initiatives that directly improve access to healthcare and promote healthier lifestyles among adults.
Eligible organizations must submit their applications by May 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Selected applicants will then be guided through the next steps of the evaluation process. Approved projects will officially begin on December 1, 2026, and will run through December 1, 2028.
The funding is specifically targeted toward programs that address two critical areas:
- Expanding access to affordable primary care services
- Improving access to nutritious food, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle activities
Beyond financial support, participating nonprofits will also benefit from ongoing collaboration opportunities. The Foundation plans to host annual convenings where grantees can engage with healthcare experts and Foundation representatives. These gatherings are designed to foster knowledge-sharing, strengthen partnerships, and amplify the overall impact of funded initiatives.
Progress from these projects will be tracked and reported publicly, with a focus on measurable outcomes such as increased utilization of primary care services and improved access to healthy food and wellness resources.
Addressing Social Drivers of Health
The Impact Fund is rooted in the understanding that health outcomes are influenced by more than just medical care. Social drivers—such as access to food, transportation, education, and economic stability—play a crucial role in determining overall health and quality of life.
Since its launch in 2024, the Fund has already invested more than $6 million in 29 nonprofit organizations across multiple states, including Connecticut, Missouri, and Texas. These investments have supported a wide range of community-based programs aimed at reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.
By extending the program to Memphis, the Foundation aims to build strong local partnerships that can address the city’s unique healthcare challenges. Memphis faces higher-than-average rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. These issues are often compounded by systemic barriers, including a shortage of primary care providers, limited transportation options, and restricted access to affordable, healthy food.
Such challenges can delay necessary medical care and contribute to poorer long-term health outcomes. Through targeted funding and collaboration, the Foundation hopes to mitigate these barriers and create sustainable improvements in community health.
Continued Investment in Tennessee
The expansion into Memphis is part of a broader commitment to communities across Tennessee. In 2025 alone, The Cigna Group Foundation and its related charitable initiatives contributed nearly $1.8 million to support programs throughout the state.
In addition to financial contributions, employee volunteerism remains a cornerstone of the company’s community engagement strategy. More than 4,800 Tennessee-based employees collectively volunteered over 6,700 hours in 2025, supporting a variety of local organizations. These include Girls on the Run Memphis, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Mid-South Food Bank, and YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South.
These efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to community support, combining financial resources with hands-on involvement to create meaningful and lasting change.
Broader Healthcare Support Across the State
Through its divisions, including Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, The Cigna Group provides healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of residents across Tennessee.
Evernorth plays a particularly important role in managing complex and chronic conditions. Its pharmacy services are designed to improve medication adherence, reduce disruptions in treatment, and enhance overall patient outcomes. By offering convenient home delivery and specialized support, Evernorth helps ensure that patients can maintain consistent access to necessary medications.
One of its key components, Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, focuses on patients with complex health needs. Accredo supports individuals living with conditions such as endocrine disorders, hepatitis C, HIV, bleeding disorders, and rare diseases. In Memphis, the pharmacy operates with a dedicated team of pharmacists, technicians, and patient care advocates who work closely with patients to manage their conditions effectively.
Strengthening Community Health in Memphis
The launch of the Impact Fund in Memphis represents a strategic and timely investment in a community facing significant health challenges. By addressing both medical and social factors that influence health, The Cigna Group Foundation aims to create a more equitable healthcare landscape.
Through grant funding, collaborative partnerships, and ongoing community engagement, the Foundation is positioning itself as a catalyst for change. Its efforts are designed not only to improve immediate access to care but also to build a foundation for long-term health and well-being.
As the program unfolds, the success of these initiatives will depend on strong collaboration between nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community leaders. Together, they have the potential to drive meaningful progress and ensure that more individuals and families in Memphis can lead healthier lives.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 180 million customer relationships around the world.
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society’s greatest health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and care in geographies demonstrating significant need, the Foundation responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and strengthens colleagues’ support of causes through matching donations and volunteer rewards
