Learn about mental health grants by exploring our curated list of top mental funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Funding Trends

More than 1 in 3 Americans report signs of clinical anxiety and depression, while 1 in 10 report a substance use problem. Yet, even when accounting for the billions in federal, state and local dollars provided each year for research and service delivery, the behavioral healthcare ecosystem remains chronically underfunded, particularly when compared to physical health. The result: inadequate access to care for those who need it most, as well as ineffective prevention and treatment options.

Mental health philanthropy remains a giving blind spot. Annual grant totals for the sector lag far behind physical health as well as linked social causes.

Rather than providing funding for direct services, grants for mental health tend to focus on research, advocacy and systems change work, as some smaller foundations take an outsized role. Philanthropy for mental health typically occurs via smaller, family-run charitable foundations, which may be the result of a personal commitment to the issue.

These smaller, more nimble givers work both regionally and nationally to advance broad policy-level approaches that transform how communities and the country prevent harm, and provide and pay for mental healthcare. Among the most prominent in recent years: The Stanley Family Foundation, the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, and the Hanley Family Foundation.

Larger national funders tend to focus on general health and devote annual grantmaking to issues that are linked to mental health. In contrast, corporate funders are mostly absent from this funding space; however, some are still involved. Foundations often try to make a big impact through support for a single research institution, sometimes by backing research. Other funding priorities include delivery of care, counseling, addiction services, psychiatric care and residential mental healthcare.

Large national mental health funders include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which focuses on overall wellbeing, including mental health, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, which have largely focused on substance use (and in the case of Hilton, foster care). In the mental health space, there also exist a handful of larger national foundations that award grants toward the research of specific mental illnesses.

Grantseekers should look both at our listing below, as well as Inside Philanthropy’s Brain and Cell Research funding guide if neurological research grants are a particular funding interest.

Cumulative trends in grantmaking for mental health suggest a slow increase in funding at the national level. Beneficiaries typically include research institutions and universities and veterans; organizations addressing stigma, crisis and suicide intervention, and community mental health resource centers and services, including substance use and addiction treatment centers, particularly in the context of the nation’s opioid epidemic, among the top areas of philanthropic support. Nonprofits and grantseekers active in mental health say individual grants tend to be smaller than those for other diseases such as cancer.

Foundations for Mental Health Grants

AARP FOUNDATION

The AARP Foundation works to support health, mental health, food systems and economic opportunity for Americans aged 50 and up.

DANNY ALBERTS FOUNDATION

The Danny Alberts Foundation supports innovative research toward improving the overall quality of life for people suffering from bipolar disorder. 

A LITTLE HOPE

Created in the wake of the World Trade Center tragedy, A Little Hope funds programs that address grief and bereavement for children, teens and young adults who have lost a parent, sibling or loved one, regardless of the circumstances of death.

AMERICAN LEGION CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation focuses its grantmaking attention on organizations that are contributing to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children across the United States.  

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

Supports research related to the connection between behavior and health; reducing stigma; understanding and preventing violence; and addressing long-term mental health needs after a disaster has occurred. 

ARCHSTONE FOUNDATION

Archstone's mental health funding specializes in older adults with depression, particularly underserved populations including minorities, older men, poor people, and those with multiple medical problems. 

ASTELLAS GLOBAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

Astellas USA, the pharma company's charitable arm, supports efforts to promote good mental health and well-being. It tends to cultivate long-term partnerships with grantees, but is an approachable funder.

SIDNEY R. BAER FOUNDATION

Baer focuses its grantmaking on supporting organizations working to provide the quality of direct care for individuals suffering from mental illness with a primary focus on depression and schizophrenia.

BEDARI FOUNDATION

Bedari’s mental health grants champions and encourages a philosophy of interconnected well-being and invests in and supports programs that further these ideals through action and education.

ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Blank Foundation funds programs that support wellness and foster resilience.

BLOWITZ-RIDGEWAY FOUNDATION

The Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation focuses its mental health grantmaking on psychiatric, psychological and residential care, and psychology programs. Funding preference is giving to groups located in Illinois.  

BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Baxter is all about increasing access to quality healthcare for disadvantaged and underserved populations in the United States. Baxter funds a diverse set of mental health causes.  

JACOB AND HILDA BLAUSTEIN FOUNDATION

This foundation’s mental health grants center on the Baltimore region.

BOOZ ALLEN FOUNDATION

The Booz Allen Foundation awards grants to mental health organizations in the United States.

BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION

The Born this Way Foundation is the philanthropic organization of pop star and actress Lady Gaga. It works to promote youth empowerment and mental health.

BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Funding goes to individual investigators whose research is aimed at preventing, treating, and possibly curing mental illnesses. 

BRANSCOMB FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Branscomb Family Foundation supports education, health, mental health, science research, civic participation, and community development.

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB FOUNDATION

This foundation awards grants nationwide to groups working with military vets suffering from mental illness. It also awards grants for legal needs related to mental illness.  

CARDINAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

The foundation names suicide prevention and increasing access to mental health resources as priorities for its grantmaking.

CARTER CENTER

Carter makes grants for Mental Health to “promote awareness about mental health issues, inform public policy, achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses.”

CHRISTOPHER D. SMITHERS FOUNDATION

Smithers focuses its mental health funding on challenges related to alcoholism and substance abuse. 

COMIC RELIEF (U.K)

Comic Relief focuses its mental health grantmaking on combating stigma and access to high quality evidence based support for those with mental illness.

COMMONWEALTH FUND

The Fund’s grants for mental health intersect with access to behavioral health and Medicaid.

CRAIGSLIST CHARITABLE FUND

This foundation makes broad grants to mental health without specific strategies.

DALIO FOUNDATION

Dalio recently stepped up its giving and is an active grantmaker in mental health. Its interests include improving mental wellness through meditation, bipolar disorder, and depression research. 

DAMMANN FUND

This funder supports groups that promote independent living for those suffering from mental illness. Grants are restricted to areas in New York, Connecticut and Virginia.

DANIELS FUND

This funder awards grants to support alcoholism and substance abuse programs including treatment and recovery, and prevention efforts.  

HILDA AND PRESTON DAVIS FOUNDATION

Davis awards grants to organizations that provide direct services to those suffering from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

DELUXE CORPORATION FOUNDATION

This foundation has supported several organizations that offer free or low-cost mental health services and counseling to veterans, at-risk youth and families in crisis.

MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION

Open to any U.S-based 501(c)(3) organization that can make a compelling case that Dreyfus support can make a big difference for a mental health program.

DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION

Mental health is an important element of this funder’s child well-being initiative.

ELMO FOUNDATION

The Elmo Foundation awards modest grants to mental health organizations across the United States.

EVERY MOTHER COUNTS

EMC is dedicated to women and girls’ mental health.

GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATIONS

Funding for mental health stems from the George Foundation’s integrative health, spirituality and mindfulness and youth development programs.

GRACE & MERCY FOUNDATION

Mental health services figure prominently in the Grace and Mercy 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.

WILLIAM T. GRANT FOUNDATION

The William T. Grant Foundation awards mental health research grants for studies focusing on disadvantaged and vulnerable kids ages five to 25. 

GROUP FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH

Supports groups researching the efficacy of psychotherapy for people suffering from mental illness.

CONRAD N. HILTON FOUNDATION

The Hilton Foundation gives mental health and well-being grants through its Homelessness program (in L.A. only), and its Foster Youth and Substance Abuse programs. 

HANLEY FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Hanley Family Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the prevention, treatment, and education of alcoholism, chemical dependency, and addictive behaviors. 

IRVING HARRIS FOUNDATION

Substantial Chicago-based funder that supports mental health and well-being of infants and young children—including social and emotional development—from birth through age 3. Favors outfits operating in Chicago, but plenty of funding goes beyond the city limits.

HASBRO CHILDREN’S FUND

The Hasbro Children’s Fund’s mental health funding prioritizes organizations working with underserved and chronically ill children.

THE HEARST FOUNDATIONS

Hearst's mental health support flows toward several health-related issues: professional development, care for elderly, access/quality of care for low-income people, youth and more. Prefers established operations with at least $1 million annual operating budgets.

HIGHMARK FOUNDATION

The Highmark Foundation focuses its mental health grants on children and adolescents.

HOGG FOUNDATION

With a long history and an endowment that’s grown rapidly in recent years, the HFMH gives to a wide range of mental health programs throughout Texas.

HOPE AND GRACE FUND

A great source of support for community-based organizations that address mental health and well-being of women. 

INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION

The International OCD Foundation awards research grants toward improving effective treatments, as well as building a better understanding of OCD and related disorders.  

ITTLESON FOUNDATION

Ittleson's grantmaking revolves around eliminating stigmas and stereotypes related to mental illness, improving access to mental healthcare, and preventative mental healthcare.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON FAMILY OF COMPANIES

Johnson & Johnson focuses its healthcare grantmaking on communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases and mental health.

MARION E. KENWORTHY-SARAH SWIFT FOUNDATION

The Marion E. Kenworthy-Sarah Swift Foundation awards grants related to social work, psychiatry, preventative psychiatry, and community mental health, with an emphasis on young people.

KLINGENSTEIN THIRD GENERATION FOUNDATION

Klingenstein awards grants to major medical institutions interested in offering postdoctoral fellowship programs for child and adolescent ADHD and depression.

KLARMAN FOUNDATION

Klarman’s mental health grants fund eating disorder research. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders are the foundation’s current grantmaking priorities. 

ANDREW KUKES FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY

This foundation is squarely focused on social anxiety disorder education and outreach programs, as well as improved treatment, interventions, and access to healthcare for social anxiety disorder.  

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION

RWJF focuses its grantmaking on vulnerable populations. Access to quality, affordable health care is a major concern, so groups working in this field may have a leg up.

PATRICK P. LEE FOUNDATION

The Patrick P. Lee Foundation is a private, family foundation that dedicates more than half of its funding to mental health programs and services with a particular interest in serious mental illnesses. 

MILTON AND TAMAR MALTZ FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation supports arts, health, human services, medical research, education and the environment in Ohio and other places of interest to the family.

NANCY LURIE MARKS FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Marks Family Foundation makes grants for other issues affecting autistic individuals and their families via its Advocacy, Education and Social Policy and Community grantmaking areas.

J. WILLARD AND ALICE S. MARRIOTT FOUNDATION

The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation’s disease related grantmaking invests in medical research, hospitals, mental health, and disease specific programs; however, it does not name interest in specific disease areas.

ROBERT R. MCCORMICK FOUNDATION

McCormick awards mental health grants to veterans having trouble transitioning to civilian life. Although it favors the Chicagoland area in its grantmaking activities, it awards national grants, as well. 

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.” Some of this work relates to mental health.

MEDICA FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of Medica Health Plans, a nonprofit HMO, the foundation supports a wide range of mental and behavioral health programs. Grants go to organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and some counties in Wisconsin. 

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

This foundation focuses its grantmaking on young people, awarding grants to groups fighting for increased access to quality mental healthcare, building a better understanding of mental illness, and reducing stigma.  

MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Concentrates its funding on research programs for 12 specific mental illnesses and neuropathic illnesses. MIRA also supports projects combating the stigma around mental illness.   

M.J. MURDOCK CHARITABLE TRUST

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust works in the areas of human services, education, arts and culture, health and scientific research. Grantmaking is limited Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

MORRISON & FOERSTER FOUNDATION

The Morrison & Foerster Foundation supports local, national, and international mental health organizations.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

The NIMH is the largest supporter of research on mental disorders in the world. In addition to research, the Institute makes grants for education, conferences, clinical trials and the development of new technologies.

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE FOUNDATION

This foundation gives a lot to groups that provide mental health treatment for troubled and at-risk children, including programs that deal with violence, drug addiction, and sexual misconduct.

NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST

The New York Community Trust has demonstrated a strong commitment to mental health in New York City and beyond.

NORD FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Nord Family Foundation supports mental health organizations located within its geographic priorities; however, it does not support mental health research projects or fundraising activities.

LAIRD NORTON FOUNDATION

Laird Norton’s human services program primarily seeks to “support, empower, uplift, and create opportunities for long-term success and a brighter future for unaccompanied youth and young adults.”

ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

A significant portion of OAR’s applied research and graduate research grants support studies that concern work, vocational training, housing and mental health among autistic populations.

PAULSON FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Paulson Family Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson and his wife, Jenny. More than half of this funder’s grants stay in New York City. Education is a top interest, but support also goes to health, arts and culture, and Jewish causes.

PEPSICO FOUNDATION

The PepsiCo Foundation makes grants  to a variety of mental health organizations across the United States and Canada.

PERELMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Perelman Family Foundation and the Perelman Family Charitable Trust represent the philanthropy of the billionaire Ronald O. Perelman. Giving encompasses higher education, health, diseases, Jewish causes, arts and culture and mental health.

PINK HOUSE FOUNDATION

Destigmatizing mental health was the foundation’s main area of focus in 2015 and continues to be a broad interest area.

PITNEY BOWES

Pitney Bowes supports public health initiatives via its corporate responsibility program, which prioritizes geographic areas where the company maintains operations and programs that serve children and youth.

POLLINATION PROJECT

Pollination is an approachable funder that offers microgrants to groups worldwide. It supports a broad range of projects that align with its "compassion consciousness" ethos. 

POSES FAMILY FOUNDATION

Poses doesn't have a specific mental health program but does give widely to organizations working in suicide prevention, learning disabilities, brain injuries and autism. 

JOHN PRITZKER FAMILY FUND

The John Pritzker Family Fund’s focus areas are mental health and healthcare, democracy and civic health, Jewish life and the arts. This funder supports organizations in the U.S. and Israel, with a strong focus on the San Francisco Bay Area.

SAMBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION

Samberg doesn't have a specific mental health grantmaking program. However, it addresses the topic, mainly through its broader giving approach to improve health outcomes in low-income populations.  

DR. SCHOLL FOUNDATION

The Dr. Scholl Foundation supports mental health organizations around the country; however, organizations that are grantmaking entities themselves are not eligible for a Dr. Scholl Foundation grant.

GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

The Gary Sinise Foundation supports military and veterans’ organizations, especially in the areas of mental health and human services. It also runs signature programs for disabled veterans and the families of fallen heroes. Funding also goes to fire fighting and other first response organizations across the U.S.

SMALL CHANGE FOUNDATION

The Small Change Foundation does not name specific goals for its mental health grantmaking, but tax filings suggest a focus on counseling and mental health services for LGBTQ and youth.

CHRISTOPHER D. SMITHERS FOUNDATION

This funder is laser-focused on substance abuse treatment and prevention.

MAY AND STANLEY SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST

The May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust awards mental health grants to support kids that are currently or formerly in the foster care system and military veterans and their families. 

STANLEY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Stanley Medical Research Institute awards grants for the research of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

STONE FAMILY FOUNDATION  

This UK-based funder invests in youth mental health around in the world, but especially in the UK.

STRANAHAN FOUNDATION

Stranahan’s grantmaking is pretty broad, focusing on increased access to care, mental health education, alternative care methods, preventative measures, and research to “eradicate health crises.” 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

SAMHSA is a federal organization awarding mental health grants as they pertain to substance abuse, behavioral health issues, offender reentry programs, and more. 

LASZLO N. TAUBER FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Tauber Family Foundation's mental health grantmaking zeroes in on advancing education, promoting advocacy, and mental health research.

TEGNA FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the media company makes grants to support mental health services to local and grassroots groups in communities where it has an operational and employee presence. It aims to support local and grassroots groups. 

JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION

Templeton does not name mental health as an area of grantmaking interest, but some of its character virtue development grants support organizations that work in mental health.

PETER AND ELIZABETH C. TOWER FOUNDATION

Tower supports programs geared toward children, adolescents and young adults struggling with mental illness. It also funds programs related to substance abuse as well as intellectual and learning disabilities.

EMILY HALL TREMAINE FOUNDATION

The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation funds programs that help children with dyslexia and other processing and attention issues, as well as their educators and caregivers.

TJX FOUNDATION

TJX’s mental health grantmaking includes counseling, substance abuse treatment, and domestic violence recovery and prevention.

THOMAS SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION

The Thomas Scattergood Foundation awards grants to groups advocating for local and systemic change in behavioral healthcare delivery at both the national and local levels.

VAN AMERIGEN FOUNDATION

The van Ameringen Foundation supports mental health service and advocacy organizations in the greater New York City and Philadelphia metro areas.

HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG FOUNDATION

Weinberg supports veterans and the military through its Veteran Mental Wellness initiative that makes grants to projects supporting veterans’ mental wellness and to groups assisting veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life.

WELL BEING TRUST

This funder invests extensively in mental health, from advocacy to medical support.

WELLCOME TRUST

The Wellcome Trust awards mental health grants to support investigations into anxiety and depression, psychological treatments, early life mental health and early life mental illness.

WEYERHAEUSER FAMILY FOUNDATION

Weyerhaeuser supports groups that help children cope with both the physical and emotional trauma of domestic violence. 

WOODFOREST CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Woodforest Charitable Foundation names mental health as an area of focus of its “family support” funding initiative. Recent grants for mental health have supported organizations serving at-risk youth, victims of physical and psychologic abuse and veterans.

Additional Resources

Mindful Philanthropy, a funder collaborative launched with the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania, aims to “expand philanthropy for mental health, addiction and community wellbeing initiatives.” 

Grantmakers in Health, the largest philanthropic affinity group in the sector, has a section of its website dedicated to behavioral health with research, opinion pieces and meeting information for interested funders. 

National Alliance on Mental Illnessis perhaps the best known association in the country focused on mental health concerns. Be sure to see what NAMI is up to, especially as it relates to advocacy and public policy around mental health stigma and integration with physical health.

Notable Regional Funders

CAMBIA HEALTH FOUNDATION