New York Life Foundation Pledges $15M to Coach Future Generations

NEW YORK, NY – April 29, 2026 – The New York Life Foundation today announced a significant expansion of its philanthropic mission with the launch of ‘Coaching the Future,’ a new strategic initiative backed by a $15 million, three-year commitment aimed at expanding access to trusted coaching and mentorship for young people across the United States.

This new focus represents a major investment in youth development, seeking to train 25,000 coaches and mentors nationwide. The initiative extends the core value of its parent company, New York Life, which has long centered its business on providing trusted human guidance. Now, that principle is being applied beyond financial planning to foster resilience, character, and opportunity in the next generation.

A Strategic Evolution in Philanthropy

The ‘Coaching the Future’ initiative is structured around three distinct pillars designed to provide comprehensive support for youth from various backgrounds and with diverse needs:

• On the Field Coaching: Strengthening youth sports programs through coach training focused on positive youth development, alongside funding for equipment and facility access.
• Off the Field Coaching: Supporting mentorship programs that help young people cultivate critical life, leadership, and career skills.
• All Abilities Coaching: Championing inclusive opportunities to ensure children and youth with differing abilities can participate and thrive in sports, leadership, and recreational activities.

This new direction is a natural extension of the company's identity, according to foundation leadership. “At New York Life, guidance is at the heart of what we do. Our agents and advisors coach individuals and families through some of life’s most important moments,” said Heather Nesle, president of the New York Life Foundation, in a statement. “Many of them bring that same commitment to their communities as coaches and mentors. Coaching the Future builds on that foundation, making this a natural extension of who we are and how we show up.”

Notably, this strategic pivot complements, rather than replaces, the Foundation's long-standing leadership in bereavement support. Since 2008, the organization has invested nearly $100 million in grief support initiatives, a commitment that will continue alongside the new focus on youth coaching.

Addressing a Critical Need for Mentorship

The initiative arrives at a time when the need for positive adult role models in the lives of young people is more critical than ever. Research consistently demonstrates the profound impact of mentorship on youth development. Studies show that young people with mentors are more likely to achieve higher grades, attend college, and develop crucial social-emotional skills. This guidance can significantly reduce participation in risky behaviors and improve mental health outcomes.

Despite these proven benefits, a significant “mentorship gap” persists. Recent data reveals that more than one-third of young adults grew up without a mentor, with disparities in access often affecting youth from low-income, rural, or other underserved communities. The long-term consequences are tangible; mentored youth not only report higher self-esteem but are also projected to have significantly higher lifetime earnings.

“In communities across the country, coaches and mentors are often the people who show up consistently and help young people see what's possible,” noted Amy Miller, corporate secretary for New York Life and vice chair of the New York Life Foundation. “Coaching the Future is about standing with those leaders and helping expand access to the guidance young people need to thrive.”

Forging Alliances for Maximum Impact

To achieve its ambitious goal of training 25,000 mentors, the New York Life Foundation is not going it alone. It has issued its first wave of strategic grants to a group of highly-regarded national nonprofit organizations, leveraging their existing infrastructure and expertise to maximize impact.

An expanded partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), which serves over 4 million young people annually across 5,500 clubs, will strengthen youth sports programs by funding coach training, equipment upgrades, and community events. This collaboration taps into one of the nation's largest youth service organizations, which holds top ratings from charity evaluators like Charity Navigator and Forbes.

In a move that directly addresses the 'All Abilities Coaching' pillar, a new partnership with Best Buddies International will advance inclusive mentoring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The funding will expand mentor training and chapter support, aiming to end the social isolation often experienced by the IDD community.

Further collaborations include an expanded relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA to grow its Cookie College, a hands-on entrepreneurship program, and a partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). The PCA collaboration is central to the training goal, with plans to educate thousands of coaches in youth development-focused practices. As part of the launch, an initial 1,000 virtual coach training slots through PCA are being made available to the public for free, immediately broadening the initiative's reach.

Beyond the Checkbook: A Hands-On Approach

This initiative is defined by more than just its financial commitment. A key component of ‘Coaching the Future’ is the active involvement of New York Life's own employees and agents. The Foundation plans to amplify its efforts through robust volunteerism, encouraging its workforce to engage directly with partner nonprofits and serve as coaches and mentors in their local communities. This hands-on approach reflects a growing trend in corporate philanthropy that emphasizes strategic alignment and deep community engagement over simple check-writing.

An existing partnership with DonorsChoose, through which employees and agents support classroom and school-based projects, already provides a model for this type of engagement. By integrating its human capital with its financial resources, the Foundation aims to create a more sustainable and deeply rooted impact.

By aligning its philanthropic strategy with its core corporate value of guidance, the New York Life Foundation is making a calculated investment not just in programs, but in the people who deliver them and the young people they serve. This multi-faceted approach, combining significant funding, strategic partnerships, and dedicated volunteerism, signals a comprehensive effort to build a stronger, more resilient future for the next generation.