The MetLife Foundation has revealed plans to extend its Community Impact Grant Program to Asia after its successful launch in the US last year. The expansion aims to tackle pressing issues affecting individuals with modest incomes in the region. Through an invitation-only initiative, chosen beneficiaries will be granted programmatic assistance, with funding ranging from USD $50,000 to $100,000. The program will concentrate on four key areas: Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Physical and Mental Well-Being, Environmental Sustainability, and Quality of Life.
MetLife staff members will remain actively engaged in the initiative, contributing as volunteers selected from the company's extensive network across Asia to serve on the selection committee. This committee will evaluate and propose grants to local organizations dedicated to addressing urgent needs among individuals with limited incomes and communities affected by widening income and wealth disparities.
"Employee care is at the center of this program, creating connectivity and vitality across our communities", said Mike Zarcone, Head of Corporate Affairs for MetLife and Chairman of MetLife Foundation. "The program’s success is driven by MetLife employees coming together to live our purpose, with the expansion reflecting our commitment to our communities and our efforts to provide a source of immediate assistance to those in need globally".
The Foundation is currently extending invitations to organizations showcasing proven achievements in any of the four designated focus areas to submit proposals for the 2024 calendar year. Grants will be conferred to organizations intending to execute their programs in one of the six markets where MetLife operates.
Regional President for MetLife Asia, Lyndon Oliver, noted, "Serving the communities in which we all live and work by helping in both big ways and small is central to our purpose, and the addition of the Community Impact Grant Program allows us to do just that, complementing all our MetLife Foundation strategic initiatives in the region".The RFP for this round of funding in Asia is by invitation only. All organizations who apply will receive a decision on their proposal by June 2024.