ST. LOUIS, Missouri., Nov. 24, 2025 -- The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), has selected ten St. Louis-based nonprofit organizations to receive funding for programs that aim to break down barriers to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment, two areas where disparities remain significant. This group of nonprofit grantees marks the second cohort of The Cigna Group Foundation’s Health Equity Impact Fund, which committed $9 million over a three-year period to support nonprofit organizations addressing health disparities in specific locations.

“Research shows that residents of St. Louis face specific barriers to mental health care, especially for substance use disorders,” said Matt Perlberg, Board Member, The Cigna Group Foundation. “Mental health and substance use challenges are deeply intertwined with social and economic barriers. By partnering with these incredible organizations, we’re helping ensure that care is both more accessible and focused on long-term recovery.”

Residents of St. Louis have disproportionately higher rates of death from substance use disorders and are more likely to visit the emergency room for a mental health challenge than other counties in Missouri[1],[2]. The goals of the Health Equity Impact Fund in St. Louis are to increase access to treatment and support for substance use disorders and mental health services for adults.

The ten nonprofits and respective projects selected foster long-term recovery and mental wellness are:

• Affinia Healthcare – Expanding medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and transportation support for underserved populations.
• Behavioral Health Response (BHR) – Growing mobile crisis response teams to divert individuals from emergency rooms and connect them to ongoing care.
• Harris House Foundation – Enhancing transitional housing and comprehensive substance use treatment services.
• Mission St. Louis – Deploying a mobile mental health center to deliver trauma-informed therapy in violence-affected neighborhoods.
• Peter & Paul Community Services – Embedding behavioral health staff in emergency shelters for immediate access to care.
• Prevent + Ed – Offering peer-led recovery support through mobile services and evidence-based practices.
• St. Patrick Center – Integrating mental health care with housing support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• NAMI St. Louis – Facilitating culturally responsive mental health education through community-led conversations.

• University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health – Distributing secure medication lockboxes and transportation support to improve access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
• YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis – Expanding trauma-informed therapy services to support healing and resilience.

Last year, The Cigna Group Foundation announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative that committed more than $27 million in grants over the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health through housing stability, and reducing barriers to health equity. As a grant program, The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund will invest $9 million over a three-year period with a focus on addressing health disparities in specific locations.

About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 180 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.

About The Cigna Group Foundation

The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society's greatest health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and care in geographies demonstrating significant need, the Foundation responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and strengthens colleagues' support of causes through matching donations and volunteer rewards. To learn more, visit www.thecignagroup.com/community.

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