January 31, 2023 “Small Can Be Effective.” Five Things to Know About Richmond Memorial Health Foundation January 31, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Richmond Memorial Health Foundation is committed to fostering an equitable and healthy Richmond region. We check in with President Mark Constantine to explore its strategic framework, upcoming initiatives and more.Read More
December 15, 2022 The U.S. Is in a Mental Health Crisis, but Funding Is Still Scarce. This Group Hopes to Change That December 15, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Mindful Philanthropy, which was founded by a group of mental health foundations, is pushing funders to boost support for an urgent — and still vastly underfunded — issue.Read More
October 03, 2022 Why Three Deep-Pocketed Funders Joined Forces to Take on Bipolar Disorder October 03, 2022/ Paul Karon Bipolar disorder has been significantly understudied. In response, several donors with personal experience of the condition are working with the Milken Institute on a $150 million initiative to fund and coordinate global research.Read More
September 26, 2022 “Our Focus Is on the Children.” A Software Giant Ups Its Commitment to Public Schools September 26, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Salesforce’s latest round of education funding zeroes in on mental health and resilient schools. It’s praiseworthy support, but begs the question: why is so much private backing for public schools even necessary?Read More
September 08, 2022 Meet the Funder Collaborative Behind a Push for Psychedelic Mental Health Treatments September 08, 2022/ Simone Ellin The Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative has been working to secure federal approval of PTSD treatments using psychedelic substances. With plenty of well-heeled donors aboard, the group’s outlook is bright.Read More
July 08, 2022 Generation Z Faces a Deeply Uncertain Future. Is Philanthropy Listening? July 08, 2022/ Mike Scutari A new report found that Generation Z feels “undervalued and unheard” by major institutions, including philanthropic organizations. What can we make of this, and can funders better address their concerns?Read More
July 05, 2022 A Major Health Insurance Foundation Targets Disparities in Substance Use and Mental Health July 05, 2022/ Paul Karon The Elevance Health Foundation, like its corporate counterpart, recently changed its name from Anthem. It’s seeking to address disparities, emphasizing the continuum of care around substance use and mental health.Read More
July 01, 2022 Here’s How the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Is Growing Three Partnerships to Boost Global Health July 01, 2022/ Liz Longley The Greece-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation is expanding a major global health grantmaking initiative with commitments to three longtime partners based in New York City. Mental health is one focus area.Read More
April 14, 2022 Is Smartphone Use Taking a Toll on Kids? This New Family Foundation Wants to Find Out April 14, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Are smartphones and social media contributing to the youth mental health crisis? The Winston Family Foundation’s new center at UNC-Chapel Hill is conducting research on the poorly understood impacts of technology use.Read More
March 24, 2022 Round Four: Here’s What You Need to Know About MacKenzie Scott's Latest List of Gifts March 24, 2022/ Philip Rojc At long last, our two-time winner for Philanthropist of the Year has dropped another Medium post—this time with the names of grantees included. Here are some key takeaways. Read More
March 24, 2022 Mental Health Hotline’s Launch Is Fast-Approaching. Philanthropy Can Help Make It a Success March 24, 2022/ Paul Karon Federal law requires activation of the 988 mental health crisis hotline number in July. Here’s how philanthropy can help states and communities build the next generation of crisis response and care.Read More
March 09, 2022 Five Things to Know About MacKenzie Scott’s Latest Round of Gifts March 09, 2022/ Philip Rojc The groundbreaking grantmaker left it to her latest grantees to publicize their gifts—or not. Since then, there’s been a steady stream of gift announcements, some of them massive. Here’s what you need to know.Read More
March 03, 2022 Where a Huge Mental Health Gift from the Ballmers Is Headed—and What It Means for the Field March 03, 2022/ Paul Karon The Ballmer Group's $425 million grant establishes a new children's mental health institute, building on the funder's strategy of connecting universities with community programs. It’s also a bellwether for mental health giving.Read More
February 25, 2022 This Funder Is Giving to Address Mental Health Through the Arts. Here's What It's Learning February 25, 2022/ Mike Scutari The New York-based Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund has announced the grantees of a new program to foster mental health through the arts. We chat with the fund’s Executive Director Rick Luftglass about lessons learned.Read More
February 23, 2022 Amid Scarce Funding, One of Philanthropy's Largest-Ever Gifts for Depression Research February 23, 2022/ Paul Karon A huge donation from the estate of a late California philanthropist will fund a new research center devoted to the study of depression. It’s welcome news as calls mount for more philanthropic attention to mental health.Read More
October 18, 2021 To Address a Youth Mental Health Crisis, This Funder’s Pushing for Expanded School Services October 18, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen The pandemic has done a lot to exacerbate a youth mental health crisis that long preceded it. In response, Blue Shield of California is investing $1 million to support mental and behavioral health services in California schools.Read More
September 01, 2021 The 988 Mental Health Emergency Hotline Is Coming. Philanthropy Can Help Ensure its Success September 01, 2021/ Paul Karon Funders say the upcoming national 988 mental health hotline is an opportunity to build robust local crisis response ecosystems—and possibly improve mental health care beyond emergencies. Here’s how philanthropy can help.Read More
June 07, 2021 On Funders’ Surging Support for Mental Healthcare and How Universities Can Tap In June 07, 2021/ Mike Scutari A year into the pandemic, funders have turned to universities as key partners in addressing the national mental health crisis. We take a look at where the money is flowing and areas of opportunity for higher ed fundraisers.Read More
May 07, 2021 How This Corporate Funder Is Backing Children's Mental Health at a “Crisis Point” May 07, 2021/ Paul Karon Before the pandemic, the Morgan Stanley Foundation already saw a crisis in children's mental health. COVID only exacerbated those challenges. Here’s what Morgan Stanley’s approach looks like one year on.Read More
October 15, 2020 Honoring a Young Actor’s Life, a Foundation Battles Mental Illness and the Stigma Around it October 15, 2020/ Ade Adeniji Bearing the name of a bright young actor, the Lee Thompson Young Foundation addresses mental illness and the stigma around it, particularly in Black communities. The foundation’s leader explains its focus and the personal story behind it.Read More