MetLife is the insurance company whose MetLife Foundation funds health, education, and culture.
MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 as MetLife’s independent charitable and grant-making foundation. Its early work supported causes including health, civic affairs, culture, education, and economic development. The foundation was created to extend MetLife’s community involvement beyond its insurance business.
Over time, its priorities evolved. Financial inclusion and economic mobility became central themes, with programs designed to improve financial knowledge, job readiness, entrepreneurship, and access to opportunity. The foundation has also continued supporting health-related initiatives, arts and cultural organizations, educational programs, disaster relief, and community development.
The name can cause confusion because MetLife is a holding company associated with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, rather than simply the name of one insurance product. Cigna, Aetna, and Prudential also operate philanthropic programs, but the foundation specifically named in the question belongs to MetLife. By 2023, MetLife reported that the foundation had surpassed $1 billion in worldwide charitable giving.