Aetna Foundation Inc
The Aetna Foundation Inc is a private, company-sponsored foundation and the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, with additional offices in San Antonio, Texas, the foundation is dedicated to promoting wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone while supporting the communities it serves.
Financial Overview
From 2021 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.2M
-42.0% YoY
Grant Count
65
-99.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$110K
+8141.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Aetna Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $611K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone, while supporting the communities served.
Primary funding areas include:
- Health care equity
- Innovation in underserved communities
- Cultivating a new generation of medical talent
- Programs addressing social determinants of health
- Healthy lifestyle encouragement
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds primarily in Connecticut, District of Columbia, and Maryland, with recent activity in Georgia and Illinois. The foundation operates nationally and works with community organizations, national, and select international partners.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets (2021): $0
- Total Giving (2021): $7,157,897
- Annual Revenue: $10,000,000
- Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since December 1972
- EIN: 23-7241940
| Metric | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $16,647,339 |
| Revenue | $22,051 | $152,278 |
| Expenses | $4,640,007 | $5,026,669 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,157,897 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $20,494 | $154,532 |
| Distributable Amount | $610,772 | $1,036,728 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2021 grants, the largest include American Public Health Association Inc ($1,000,000), Partners Healthcare System Inc ($500,000), Hartford Bishops Foundation Inc ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COPPER BEECH INSTITUTE INC WEST HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $27,000 |
| FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION WAY BLOOMFIELD, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $27,000 |
| NORTH CAROLINA HARM REDUCTION COALITION INC ST RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $24,000 |
| NORTH CAROLINA HARM REDUCTION COALITION INC ST RALEIGH, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $125,000 |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $78,750 |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE SW WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC NW WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $21,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL NURSES INC SILVER SPRING, MD | GENERAL PURPOSE | $213,750 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER FL HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $11,627 |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NW WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Marilda Gandara - Principal Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
From 2021 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES D CLARK | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GARTH GRAHAM MD MPH | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| JOHN P KENNEDY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JOSEPH KROCHESKI | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| THOMAS S MOFFATT | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY AND LEGAL COUNSEL | 0.5 | — |
| EILEEN H BOONE | CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| TRACY L SMITH | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| LINDSAY A CHUEY | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| EDWARD CHUNG-I LEE | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| PETER R OADES | INVESTMENT MANAGER | 0.5 | — |
| AMY A CLARK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Aetna Foundation has been active in recent years with multiple grant announcements and community health initiatives:
Aetna donates more than $500K to improve health literacy in GeorgiaCollaborated with American Public Health Association and National Association of Counties on the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, which empowered 50 communities to address pressing health issues
Aetna donates more than $500K to improve health literacy in GeorgiaAwarded grants totaling $750,000 to organizations improving health outcomes in Illinois
CVS Health, Aetna grant $750,000 to organizations improving health outcomesDonated more than $500,000 to improve health literacy in Georgia
Aetna donates more than $500K to improve health literacy in GeorgiaSince 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $427 million in grants and sponsorships
Aetna donates more than $500K to improve health literacy in GeorgiaAetna employees have volunteered four million hours since 2003
The foundation is noted for its focus on impact through large-scale programs with replication potential, innovation particularly in technology and science, inclusion in underserved neighborhoods, and bringing together key stakeholders to address root causes of poor health and chronic disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aetna Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone, while supporting the communities served. Primary funding areas include: • Health care equity • Innovation in underserved communities • Cultivating a new generation of medical talent • Programs addressing social determinants of health • Healthy lifestyle encouragement
How do I apply for a grant from Aetna Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $3 to $1,000,000 • Total giving (2021): $7,157,897 **Grant Programs:** *Volunteer Grants Program:* Awards grants of up to $300 to nonprofit organizations with which Aetna employees and retirees volunteer at least 20 hours per year. *Personal Donations Program:* Matches contributions made by employees, retirees, directors, selected agents, and spouses/domestic partners of Aetna employees for disaster relief and to nonprofit organizations, ranging…
Where does Aetna Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds primarily in Connecticut, District of Columbia, and Maryland, with recent activity in Georgia and Illinois. The foundation operates nationally and works with community organizations, national, and select international partners.
What size grants does Aetna Foundation Inc award?
In 2021, Aetna Foundation Inc awarded 65 grants totaling $7.2M — an average of about $110K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Aetna Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Aetna Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $611K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Aetna Foundation Inc's EIN?
Aetna Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7241940. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Aetna Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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