New Brave of Heart Fund to benefit families of healthcare workers

The Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation have launched the Brave of Heart Fund to provide monetary grants to survivors of front-line U.S. healthcare workers who give their lives in the fight against COVID-19. Families of doctors, nurses, technicians, orderlies, cafeteria workers, custodians, volunteers and others working on the frontlines of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for support from the Brave of Heart Fund.

The Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation each are making initial contributions of $25 million to seed the Brave of Heart Fund. The New York Life Foundation will also match the first $25 million of additional individual donations received. The companies hope to raise more than $100 million to protect these families from financial hardship and provide behavioral and emotional support. The Fund will be administered by the non-profit E4E Relief.

“I would like to thank the Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation for launching the Brave of Heart Fund to benefit families of frontline U.S. healthcare workers, including those in Indiana who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for providing their families with financial and emotional support,” said Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson.

Both Cigna and New York Life serve Indiana consumers with insurance products regulated by the Indiana Department of Insurance.

Individuals and corporations can donate to the Brave of Heart Fund by visiting braveofheartfund.com. The Fund will be ready to accept applications for its first grants in May 2020.