Unum Group’s Social Justice Fund is designed to create stronger, more equitable communities and to support organizations working to end racism, discrimination and bias. Since its launch in 2020, the fund has been expanded to include more groups facing discrimination and has donated $566,000 to 58 organizations fighting racism and injustice in the U.S.
Donations to the Social Justice Fund are used to benefit organizations in communities that align with one of the fund’s four focus areas: civic engagement, training, systemic and policy change initiatives, and promotion of financial inclusion through economic justice programs.
Kelsey Hall, Interim Executive Director of Project Return in Chattanooga said Unum’s Social Justice grant helps them support their mission of creating successful new beginnings for people who were formerly incarcerated.
Project Return is dedicated to helping people successfully return to the community after incarceration.
“As a reentry services organization newly in the Chattanooga community, we are bringing our proven formula of employment opportunities plus wraparound, relationship-based assistance,” said Kelsey. “The Unum gift amplifies our work around economic inclusion for people who would otherwise be left out; it also recognizes the fact that African Americans have been disproportionately swept into the criminal legal system, and that reversing the prevalence of incarceration is transformational for individuals and future generations, as well as the entire community. We are grateful for this meaningful support of our work and impact.”
You can find out more about Project Return and the rest of Unum and Colonial Life’s newest beneficiaries of our Social Justice Fund below:
- Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC – Own Your Life
- Able SC – Successful Post-Secondary Transition for Youth with Disabilities
- SC Association for Community Economic Development – Collaborating to Advance Public Policy
- Maine Boys to Men – Engaging Immigrant Men in Violence Prevention
- Westbrook High School – Challenge Day
- Hunter Museum of American Art – Art in Action
- Project Return – Successful Reentry for the Formerly Incarcerated
- The Ed Johnson Project – The Ed Johnson Memorial Dedication Weekend
- Center for Developmental Services – Program Support of Disability Services
- City of Dreams – City of Dreams Mentoring Program
- College Possible – College Possible College Access and Success Programming
Unum and Colonial Life are actively looking for qualified organizations to apply for the Social Justice Fund. If you or anyone you know has an organization in mind, encourage them to apply here.
Read more about the Social Justice Fund as well as previous grantees:
