MetLife was founded on a simple, powerful insight: Everyone needs access to the right financial tools to pursue more from life. In 2013, this understanding inspired MetLife Foundation to refocus its programming toward financial inclusion. To support its new vision and mission, the Foundation has committed $200 million over the next five years to help low-income individuals and families get access to safe and affordable financial products and services.

 

Since its creation in 1976, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $600 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities.

 

Since 1999, MetLife Foundation has awarded more than $6.5 million to support nearly 3,000 employee volunteer initiatives. On average, MetLife volunteers provide 11.5 hours of service each month and have been involved with their respective organizations for at least six years.

 

Activities

Access and Knowledge - MetLife Foundation makes grants to partners with the ability to reach large numbers of underserved households around the world, increasing their readiness, willingness and ability to engage with the financial sector. Recent Initiatives Include:

• The International Rescue Committee, United States (Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California)
• Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, United States
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), United States
• Junior Achievement Worldwide, Egypt, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Korea

 

Access to Service - MetLife Foundation works with experts in the field to deliver high-quality products and services like credit, savings, and insurance to low-income individuals. We want to ensure that these individuals have the tools, incentives, and motivation to improve the lives of their families and communities. Recent Initiatives Include:

• Center for Community Self-Help (Self-Help), United States (California, Illinois, and North Carolina)
• National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, United States (New York)
• BURO, Bangladesh
• Fair Finance, United Kingdom
• Grameen Foundation, India
• Women's World Banking, Egypt, India, Mexico
• Kiva Zip, United States (New York City)
• Innovations for Poverty Action, Bangladesh, India
• ProMujer, Mexico

 

Access to insights - MetLife Foundation invests in research and shares what we learn with the financial services community to help enhance our approach and advance our common goals. Recent Initiatives include:

• CFED and the Savings Innovation Learning Cluster (SILC), United States
• HelpAge & Center for Financial Inclusion, Colombia and United States
• Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Global

 

About Metlife

MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The Company provides corporations and individuals with a comprehensive suite of insurance and benefits products and services. We ensure customers’ long-term financial security by matching their needs with the right protection solutions.