#Japan #Tokyo #FIFA #Global Citizen #MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation's Incredible Initiative

In a truly commendable move, the MetLife Foundation, alongside FIFA and Global Citizen, has unveiled the inaugural recipients of the FIFA Global Citizen Educational Fund. This fund's mission is crystal clear: to broaden the opportunity for children across the globe to access quality education and participate in sports. The first round of grants has been awarded to 27 organizations in 10 countries, reflecting a diverse and impactful reach.

The MetLife Foundation has pledged an impressive $9 million as one of the founding donors of this vital initiative. Through ongoing support and engagement, the foundation is committed to ensuring that children everywhere receive high-quality educational experiences. This fund specifically targets programs that center around sports, education, and skill development, thereby empowering grassroots organizations to expand their reach and foster community revitalization.

Prominent among the selected grant recipients are the non-profit organization SDGs Promise Japan and the Ubuntu FS Promotion Association, both based in Japan. They have been awarded between $50,000 and $250,000 to bolster existing successful initiatives within their communities, ensuring that the impact of their work is not only sustained but also enhanced.

Dirk Osteen, the CEO of MetLife Insurance Company, emphasized the organization's commitment stating, "MetLife is dedicated to standing with people and communities, actively pursuing our purpose of walking together towards a more certain future. Through our support of the FIFA Global Citizen Educational Fund, we aim to empower local organizations to further expand their scope and impact."

The 27 selected organizations across the globe are recognized for their efforts in expanding opportunities for education and sports within their communities. These programs stand to impact tens of thousands of children, including those in areas where fewer than 15% of students complete secondary education or where over 60% of residents live in poverty. By nurturing proven initiatives that merge learning, sports, and community engagement, the fund contributes to creating opportunities for children and their communities to move confidently towards a brighter future.

The aim of the fund is ambitious, seeking to raise a total of $100 million to provide access to quality education and sports for children globally. Since its inception in 1976, education support has been a cornerstone of the MetLife Foundation’s mission, presently extending its reach through financial literacy, STEM education, and mentoring to empower youth across various regions.

In an exciting development, the application process for the second round of grants from this fund has commenced. Organizations offering opportunities in education and sports for children worldwide are encouraged to apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 via globalcitizen.org/education-fund-apply.

About MetLife Foundation

Founded in 1976, the MetLife Foundation was created to uphold MetLife's tradition of meaningful contributions to society. By collaborating with non-profits and facilitating volunteer activities for MetLife employees, the foundation seeks to improve economic mobility across three key areas: economic empowerment, financial health, and sustainable communities. To date, it has provided more than $1 billion in support over the past 50 years. For more information, visit www.metlife.org.

About MetLife Life Insurance

MetLife Life Insurance, established in 1973 as Japan's first foreign life insurance company, now operates as an integral part of the global MetLife Group. It dedicates itself to helping clients select optimal protection plans through a variety of distribution channels, striving to offer innovative products that address a broad spectrum of risks. Find out more at www.metlife.co.jp.

About Global Citizen

Global Citizen stands as the world's largest movement aimed at eradicating extreme poverty. Fueled by a community of everyday advocates making their voices heard, this movement is elevated through campaigns that convene leaders across music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy, and the private sector. Since its establishment in 2008, Global Citizen has seen over $50 billion committed towards impactful initiatives that have reached 1.3 billion lives. The movement operates in many countries, encouraging engagement through globalcitizen.org and its various social media platforms.