MetLife Foundation has announced grants totaling $25 million in support of efforts to drive inclusive economic mobility by addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities around the globe.

The grants are part of MetLife’s 2030 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitments, through which the foundation pledged $150 million in funding and MetLife pledged 800,000 employee volunteer hours in support of historically marginalized individuals and their families. As part of its new strategy, the foundation will align its grantmaking and impact investments to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and three core portfolios: economic inclusion—upskilling and reskilling talent to be competitive in a new economy; financial health—enabling budget management, savings, and access to credit and benefits as part of a broader wealth-building strategy; and resilient communities—expanding access to wellness resources, as well as supporting a more resilient planet through climate-focused grants.

The first round of funding includes a grant to digitalundivided to help Black and Latina women create, launch, and grow their enterprises; an expanded partnership with Girls Who Code to launch a mentoring platform and embed financial education in its curriculum; renewed support for Living Cities’ Closing the Gaps Network to address the racial wealth gap in the United States; and a new collaboration with the National Disability Institute to support the financial health and well-being of Black, Latinx, and small and midsize business owners with disabilities.

“With the updated focus of MetLife Foundation, we aim to further drive a more equitable and confident future for vulnerable and historically marginalized communities around the world,” said Mike Zarcone, head of corporate affairs for MetLife and board chair of MetLife Foundation.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Tempura)