When John Filer, acclaimed the “Father of Corporate Philanthropy” became Aetna’s chairman in 1972, he founded the Aetna Foundation. It is the sovereign and philanthropic wing of Aetna, Inc. Aetna Foundation aimed to help build healthier communities by encouraging volunteerism, shaping partnerships and funding campaigns, projects and initiatives that will improve the quality life.
Its main focus is on building a world where access to healthcare is equally available to all. The foundation regularly works with hospitals, universities and schools, helping them financially with projects involving improvement of health care. It also gives charitable grants to deserving organizations that advocates volunteerism for healthier communities.
But even before Filer made Aetna Foundation a nationwide leader in the corporate philanthropy, Aetna has already been nurturing a legacy of caring and helping others prior to his tenure and the formation of the Aetna Foundation.
In 1931, Aetna initiated a yearly employee campaign, the United Way/Combined Health Charities Appeal Campaign. Aetna volunteers supplied additional staffing to hospitals and first aid centers during the 1941 Hartford, Connecticut’s dreadful circus fire. Harry Beers, Aetna chairman in 1959 acknowledged corporate accountability and employee volunteerism as vital business objectives, conveying values that had long been put into practice. These actions led the way for the cultivation of Aetna’s culture of caring which still continues today.
By way of the Aetna Foundation, Aetna has been able to support most gripping American issues not just in Connecticut but also in numerous states in the country. The foundation has reinforced disease prevention plans, aid the revitalization of several neighborhoods, supported the arts and education and has helped thousands people in need. Aetna Foundation has listened and responded to the voices of difference that forms American society.
Aetna and the Aetna Foundation adhered to the examples set by the late Arthur R. Ash, Jr., one of the most distinguished Aetna board members. His commitment in honoring differences, human rights and unwavering stand against prejudice and intolerance kept on inspiring the whole of Aetna community. He once said that he could never forgive himself if he elected to live without human purpose, or not trying the unfortunate and the needy, even not admitting that perhaps life’s purest joy comes with simple ways of trying to help others.
In 2006, over half a million dollars was granted to support a range of initiatives intensifying Aetna’s enduring pledge to diversity. This has given birth to Aetna’s Voice of Conscience Award. Through this program, Aetna pays tribute to individuals, groups or corporations who enhanced human rights, opportunity and dignity. The Voice of Conscience Award was formed in honor to former chairman, Arthur Ash, Jr. Aetna also published calendars highlighting the remarkable historical contributions of African Americans. The year 2007 celebrated the 26th anniversary of the Aetna African American History Calendar. Relative to this commemoration, Aetna published the calendar entitled “A Healthful Life Approach: African Americans Addressing Obesity”.
Over the decades, these and all the other projects initiated and supported by Aetna are just a few examples of how Aetna cultivated and continued to nourish a caring legacy extended to all those who is part of Aetna and the community it deeply values.
