Mental Health Grants

AARP FOUNDATION

AARP’s mental health funding focuses on initiatives to prevent isolation and depression in older adults.

DANNY ALBERTS FOUNDATION

This foundation supports innovative research on bipolar disorder, including the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in conjunction with other treatments.  

A LITTLE HOPE

This funder seeks to “provide bereavement support services and grief counseling for children, teens, and young adults who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling, or a loved one, regardless of the circumstances of the death.”

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

AFSP funds research on suicide prevention with the ultimate goal of reducing the rate of suicide in the U.S.

AMERICAN LEGION CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION

This foundation supports efforts to broadly disseminate information about children’s health, social-emotional development, education and safety.

AMERICAN MENTAL WELLNESS ASSOCIATION

This association supports mental health across the U.S. through public information, online programming and collaborations with mental health professionals. This organization does not make monetary grants.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

A majority of this funder’s grants support mental health and psychological research, but the foundation also supports education and interventions on pressing mental health issues.

PAUL M. ANGELL FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation supports conservation, performing arts and social causes, prioritizing the greater Chicago area. Some giving intersects with mental health.

ARCHSTONE FOUNDATION

Archstone makes grants to support the mental health and well-being of older adults, prioritizing the state of California.

ASTELLAS GLOBAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

This funder works globally to support mental health causes. It prioritizes initiatives for children and vulnerable populations.

SIDNEY R. BAER FOUNDATION

Baer’s grants work to improve the quality of mental health care, as well as education and research related to depression and schizophrenia. Boston, New York and St. Louis are prioritized here.

BEDARI FOUNDATION

Through its mental health grantmaking, Bedari “strives to instill the mindfulness necessary to help solve mental health issues such as addiction, depression and trauma.”

ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION

Prioritizing Atlant and the state of Montana, Blank articulates a “long-term commitment to addressing the growing mental health crisis in America.” Grants support direct services and improved access to care.

BLOWITZ-RIDGEWAY FOUNDATION

This funder focuses on “uninsured, underinsured and low-income metropolitan Chicago residents” and aims to increase access to quality mental health services.

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Mental health is a main priorities of Baxter’s Access to Health Care grantmaking. Grants have supported a broad range of services including addiction, trauma and school-based initiatives.

JACOB AND HILDA BLAUSTEIN FOUNDATION

This funder’s mental health grants support efforts in Baltimore for “innovative service models utilizing evidence-based practices.” Blaustein also supports mental health policy and advocacy.

BLAVATNIK FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Blavatnik Family Foundation supports science research, Jewish causes, arts and culture and education to advance scientific innovation and discovery around the world. Some of this funding intersects with mental health giving.

BOOZ ALLEN FOUNDATION

Booz Allen articulates a commitment to eliminating the stigma around mental health and building more appreciation and awareness of emotional fitness in the corporate world.”

BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION

Lady Gaga’s foundation does not make many monetary grants but partners with multiple organizations to promote mental health awareness.

BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION

This foundation supports basic and clinical research on mental illnesses through its young investigator, independent investigator and distinguished investigator programs.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The California Community Foundation focuses nearly all of its grantmaking on underserved populations in Los Angeles. It largely invests in education, health, immigration and housing, but interest areas intersect with racial equity, civic engagement and the arts.

CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT

The California Endowment is a large foundation that funds health care, health equity, schools, criminal justice reform, youth, and community wellness throughout California, with a focus on solutions rooted in social and racial justice and combating systematic oppression.

CARDINAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

The foundation names suicide prevention and increasing access to mental health resources as priorities for its grantmaking, which is national in scope.

CARTER CENTER

Carter’s mental health grants work globally to “promote awareness about mental health, inform public policy, achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses.”

CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST

This local funder invests in a broad range of initiatives, programs and collaboratives, including mental health in the Greater Chicago area.

COMIC RELIEF (U.K)

Comic Relief focuses its global mental health grantmaking on changing negaive stereotypes of mental health disorders. It also supports organizations that provide “life-changing help” to people everywhere.

COMMONWEALTH FUND

This fund supports research and policy for the expansion and improvement of mental health services in the U.S., as well as the integration of mental health services into Medicaid.

CRAIGSLIST CHARITABLE FUND

This funder supports mental health initiatives broadly; it does not name specific strategies for its giving.

DALIO FOUNDATION

Dalio’s mental health giving focuses on bipolar disorder and mediation’s role in maintaining mental health.

DAMMANN FUND

This fund makes modest grants to support teen parents and independent living for people with mental illnesses. Funding is exclusive to New York City, neighboring Westchester County, Southwestern Connecticut and Charlottesville, Virginia. 

DANIELS FUND

The fund’s fund’s drug and alcohol addiction initiative supports prevention, treatment and recovery services, working mainly in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. 

HILDA AND PRESTON DAVIS FOUNDATION

Mental health grants focus on research and treatment of eating disorders including bulimia nervosa. Pharmacotherapies, cognitive behavioral therapies and psychotherapies are areas of interest.

DELUXE CORPORATION FOUNDATION

This foundation supports organizations that offer free or low-cost mental health services and counseling to veterans, at-risk youth and families in crisis. Giving prioritizes areas where the Deluxe Corporation operates.

MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION

This funder does not name any specific goals or initiatives but has demonstrated a commitment to mental health. Grantees include animal therapy and suicide prevention organizations.

DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION

Mental health is an important element of this funder’s child well-being initiative, which supports place-based approaches, service coordination, knowledge sharing and capacity building.

ELMO FOUNDATION

This low-profile funder supports mental health initiatives in the U.S. and abroad but does not name specific goals for its giving.

EVERY MOTHER COUNTS

This funder’s giving for mental health centers on preventing and treating postpartum depression, birth trauma, and healthy infant-mother attachment. Grantmaking is global in scope.

GATES FOUNDATION

This wide reaching global funder makes health grants that seek to create a more equitable world. Mental health giving intersects with a variety of interests.

GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Funding for mental health stems from the foundation’s integrative health, spirituality and mindfulness and youth development programs. This funder prioritizes the state of Minnesota, greater Dallas, Marin County and the Vail Valley in Colorado. 

GRACE & MERCY FOUNDATION

Mental health services figure prominently in this foundation’s support of poor, homeless and vulnerable people.

GRAINGER

Grainger’s mental health funding overlaps with its grantmaking for homelessness, veteran’s causes and healthcare access. Grainger’s homestate of Illinois is a geographic priority.

WILLIAM T. GRANT FOUNDATION

This funder awards research grants for studies addressing the needs of underserved, minority or traumatized children and young adults. Grants also support New York City organizations providing mental health services to youth between the ages of five and 25.

GROUP FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH

The philanthropic entity of the American Group Psychotherapy Association is “dedicated to changing lives through therapeutic group work by advancing the most effective and innovative approaches to group therapy education, training research and community outreach.”

HANLEY FAMILY FOUNDATION

Hanley conducts grantmaking for the prevention, treatment and education of alcoholism, chemical dependency and addictive behaviors.

IRVING HARRIS FOUNDATION

This funder’s mental health program supports “grassroots mental health programs, while its early chilhood program invests in the wellbeing of youngsters. Grants prioritize BIPOC and woman-led organizations and the greater Chicago area.

HASBRO CHILDREN’S FUND

Hasbro’s mental health grants prioritize the needs of underserved and chronically ill children. This funder gives in Los Angeles, Miami, Renton and the state of Rhode Island.

WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is one of the largest charitable organizations in the U.S. It makes grants across programs that intersect with mental health.

HIGHMARK FOUNDATION

The Highmark Foundation supports mental health broadly via its Family Health grantmaking. This funder gives nationally.

HOGG FOUNDATION

This funder works broadly to support mental health in Texas, with grants going to a range of service and care providers as well as initiatives for policy, research, evaluation and education.

HOPE AND GRACE INITIATIVE

This initiative awards grants to community-based organizations promoting the mental health and well-being of women. Giving prioritizes communities that are underserved by currently available mental health services.

INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION

IOCDF awards research grants to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatments for OCD and related disorders.

ISORA FOUNDATION

Isora’s grantmaking for mental health appears to prioritize services for marginalized people and communities. Giving is concentrated in Minnesota and New Mexico, where the foundation has given to many small- and medium sized community groups.

ITTLESON FOUNDATION

Ittleson’s mental health grantmaking focuses on underserved people with mental health issues and “innovative, pilot, model and demonstration projects” in the field of mental health care. Many of its grants support smaller community organizations.

JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND

The New York-based Jewish Communal Fund supports Jewish religious, cultural, educational and human service-oriented organizations prioritizing the New York City area. The fund also supports higher education and public health in New York and beyond. Some work interests with mental health.

W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s funding initiatives include thriving children, working families and equitable communities. Across all areas, this funder prioritizes vulnerable, underserved and underrepresented people and communities.

KENDEDA FUND

Kendeda seeks to support “community leaders and underrepresented voices, emphasizing the connection between equity and the environment,” and invests in mental health across focus areas.

MARION E. KENWORTHY-SARAH SWIFT FOUNDATION

This foundation supports New York City organizations that provide psychiatric and mental health services to people under the age of 26.

KOHLBERG FOUNDATION

The Kohlberg Foundation supports higher education, medical research and environmental initiatives. Kohlberg’s grants for science research focus on human health, integrative medicine and disease research, which intersects with behavioral sciences.

KLINGENSTEIN THIRD GENERATION FOUNDATION

KTGF’s fellowships support researchers investigating “the causes, prevention, and treatment of child and adolescent ADHD and depression.”

KLARMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Klarman established the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative at the University of North Carolina. The foundation also runs an Eating Disorders Research Grants Program.

ANDREW KUKES FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY

Focusing exclusively on social anxiety disorder, this funder prioritizes grantmaking for education and outreach, as well as improved treatment, interventions and access to mental health care.

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION

RWJF works nationally to support mental health and access for vulnerable and underserved populations.

PATRICK P. LEE FOUNDATION

The goal of Lee’s mental health grantmaking is to help people who suffer with mental illness to live as “engaged and supported members of the community.” Giving is national, but a significant portion of funding stays in New York State. 

LILLY ENDOWMENT

While this funder does not have a program dedicated to mental health, it makes significant grants related to this area across several giving programs.

MILTON AND TAMAR MALTZ FAMILY FOUNDATION

This low-profile funder does not articulate specific goals for its mental health giving, which prioritizes Ohio and other areas of interest to the Maltz family.

NANCY LURIE MARKS FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder maintains a strong interest in issues affecting autistic individuals and their families, including mental health.

J. WILLARD AND ALICE S. MARRIOTT FOUNDATION

Mental health grantmaking stems from this funder’s medical research program, which prioritizes “disorders of importance to the Marriot family” and “multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration.”

ROBERT R. MCCORMICK FOUNDATION

This Chicago funder supports mental health locally through its early childhood, veterans and community development programs.

MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

McKnight’s Neuroscience initiative aims to “bring science closer to the day when diseases of the brain and behavior can be accurately diagnosed, prevented, and treated.”

MEDICA FOUNDATION

Medica’s Behavioral Health grants support early interventions for mental health, prioritizing “a continuum of behavioral health programs that make it easier for people to receive a full range of […] services.” The foundation gives in a handful of Western states.

MELLON FOUNDATION

The Mellon Foundation is an iconic arts, culture and humanities funder in the United States, supporting a variety of funds and grant programs in this space. It makes some grants that intersect with mental health.

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

MHF supports integrated mental health services for young people and programs that eliminate the stigma associated with mental illnesses.

MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCE ASSOCIATION

MIRA prioritizes research programs associated with specific mental illnesses. The foundation also supports projects that combat prejudices surrounding mental illness.

M.J. MURDOCK CHARITABLE TRUST

The trust supports mental health responsively to meet ““the needs of the communities that comprise the Pacific Northwest.”

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

The largest supporter of research on mental disorders in the world, NIMH funds research, education, conferences, clinical trials and the development of new therapeutic treatments and technologies. It aims to transform “the understanding and treatment of mental illness.”

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE FOUNDATION

Grants stem from this funder’s Crisis Stabilization and Children’s Wellbeing programs. Areas of interest include crisis counseling, addiction services and youth mental health.

NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST

NYCT demonstrates a strong commitment to mental health in New York City and beyond. Addiciton, vulnerable people and New York City’s mental health infrastructure and areas of focus.

NORD FAMILY FOUNDATION

The foundation’s Health and Social Services program awards grants for mental health broadly in Lorain County, Ohio and other select areas of the U.S.

LAIRD NORTON FOUNDATION

Working mainly in Washington and Oregon, this funder prioritizes community-based mental health organizations with comprehensive services that promote long-term recovery and stability.

OAK FOUNDATION

The Oak Foundation is a large global funder with grantmaking programs in the environment, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, housing and homelessness, human rights, women’s causes, learning differences, violence prevention and child sexual abuse prevention.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS

The Open Society Foundations represent the collective philanthropies of the multi-billionaire George and Alexander Soros. The organization comprises over 100 autonomous foundations and offices around the world.

ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

A portion of OAR’s research grantmaking supports studies of mental health among autistic populations.

PAULSON FAMILY FOUNDATION

Paulson has demonstrated interest in depression and suicide prevention. About half of this foundation’s grants stay in New York City.

PERELMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Mental health is a small area of giving for Perelman, but this funder has demonstrated some interest in children’s mental health.

PINK HOUSE FOUNDATION

This social justice funde focuses its mental health work on destigmatizing mental illness and suicide prevention.

PITNEY BOWES

This funder’s mental health giving focuses on the needs of children who experience abuse, trauma and mental illness. Grantmaking serves communities where Pitney Bowes operates.

POLLINATION PROJECT

Mental health is not a main area of giving for this funder, but its microgrants have supported mental health organizations via its Artistic Expression and Health and Wholeness programs.

POSES FAMILY FOUNDATION

This New York City funder has supported suicide prevention and therpeutic programs in the area of mental health.

JOHN PRITZKER FAMILY FUND

Mental health is this fund’s largest giving area. Grants focus on “reducing stigma and discrimination and to ensuring care is available to those who need it.” Pritzker bankrolled the Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building at UCSF.

SAMBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION

Samberg’s giving for mental health is also conducted through Blue Meridian Partners. Mental health grants focus on underserved and low-income children and families.

SEATTLE FOUNDATION

This funder supports many “healthy community framework elements,” including the public health and wellness, which includes mental health, as well as education, economy, basic needs, community building, and arts and culture. Seattle and King County are the geographic focus areas.

GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

Giving nationally, this funder focuses on military and veterans’ causes, specifically in the areas of mental health and brain injury.

SMALL CHANGE FOUNDATION

Tax filings suggest a focus on counseling and mental health services for LGBTQ and youth populations. The San Francisco Bay Area is a geographic priority.

CHRISTOPHER D. SMITHERS FOUNDATION

Smithers supports organizations involved in awareness, prevention, treatment and research on alcoholism and substance abuse.

MAY AND STANLEY SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST

This funder makes grants to support the mental health of foster youth and veterans.

STANLEY FAMILY FOUNDATION

Stanley provides ongoing support to the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute. Smaller sums support mental health organizations in Connecticut.

STANLEY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

This institute funds trials for drugs targeting bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It also maintains the Stanley Brain Collection Tissue Repository.

STONE FAMILY FOUNDATION  

This UK-based funder supports “charities working to improve the lives of people with mental health issues,” including “adults experiencing severe and enduring mental illnesses” and at-risk children.

STRANAHAN FOUNDATION

Mental health grants work to increase access to care, expand mental health education and “support alternative care methods” and prevention. Toledo, Ohio is an area of focus.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

The focus of SAMHSA’s grantmaking is the expansion of mental health services in the U.S. with a strong focus on populations and groups who lack access to service and information about mental health and addiction.

LASZLO N. TAUBER FAMILY FOUNDATION

This family foundation funds mental health research, education and training with an emphasis on initiatives that “destigmatize mental health.”

TEGNA FOUNDATION

This funder’s Community Needs giving works responsively to support communities served by its parent media company. Mental health is a component of this grantmaking.

JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION

The Templeton Foundation’s grants support research projects in science, philosophy, theology and economics at elite institutions of higher education. Other areas of grantmaking include medical research, mental health and “the nature of genius.”

TIDES FOUNDATION

The Tides Foundation invests environmental causes, civic and voter engagement initiatives, women and girls and immigrants’ causes through its collective action funds. It also runs financial sponsorship programs for nonprofits working in the social justice realm. Mental health work intersects with these interests.

PETER AND ELIZABETH C. TOWER FOUNDATION

Tower supports organizations that support people with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health problems and addiction. Areas of specific interest include early identification, family and community support and public awareness.

THOMAS SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION

This foundation supports behavioral health and addiction treatment, focusing on vulnerable people in the Philadelphia area. It also conducts work to expand and improve mental health infrastructure.

VAN AMERINGEN FOUNDATION

Van Ameringen supports mental health service and advocacy organizations in the greater New York City and Philadelphia metro areas. It also funds some national advocacy groups.

HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG FOUNDATION

This funder does not name mental health as a main giving area, but grants stem from its Housing and Health giving areas, which prioritize veterans, disabled people and victims of abuse.

WELL BEING TRUST

In addition to supporting expanded access to mental health services nationally, this funder supports professional development and mental health services for professionals in the field.

WELLCOME TRUST

Grants for Mental Health aim to “find innovative ways to intervene as early as possible in depression, anxiety, and psychosis in order to improve the life trajectory of millions of people globally.”

WEYERHAEUSER FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder’s Youth Initiative prioritizes support for children who have been subjected to adverse experiences and and works to promote “resilience, stability, and psycho-social health.”

WOODFOREST CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Mental health funding supports organizations serving at-risk youth, victims of physical and psychological abuse and veterans. The foundation works in the 17 states where its parent company operates.