Mindful Philanthropy

We’re excited to announce the release of Mindful Philanthropy’s Faith and Mental Health Primer, a new resource designed to help funders and faith communities explore how faith-based organizations can play a pivotal role in supporting mental health. Faith communities engage 70% of Americans each month and offer natural pathways for connection, belonging, and support—yet many lack the resources to address mental health challenges effectively. This primer provides actionable guidance on how philanthropy can help strengthen these communities as allies in mental health advocacy, reduce stigma, and increase access to care. We hope this resource sparks important conversations and inspires strategic investments to amplify the impact of faith-based initiatives in mental health. 📥 Download the full primer here: https://lnkd.in/efZDZxKi #MentalHealth #Philanthropy #FaithAndMentalHealth #SocialImpact #MindfulPhilanthropy #Community #WellBeing

Mindful Philanthropy Janna Bilski VP, Strategic Relationships- Driving Change in Mental Health: Mindful Philanthropy's Inspiring Impact Mindful Philanthropy, led by the inspiring CEO Alyson Niemann is doing remarkable work in the mental health space by strategically directing resources where they’re most impactful. Their approach not only addresses urgent needs but also fosters long-term, sustainable change. Thank you to the the entire team at Mindful Philanthropy—your recent panel was truly inspiring and a testament to the power of thoughtful philanthropy in driving mental health forward! Dr. Jim McDonough, LP.D Huntsman Mental Health Foundation Lynsey Bilsland Wellcome Trust Jacqueline Valouch Deutsche Bank Alyson Niemann Cam Watts Julya Loder Doug Seckinger, MBA Kristen Ward Paul Heller Rebecca Boursiquot Kate Williams Katherina Rosqueta Julie Prentice Melissa Beck Anne Ferola Elisha London Justine Mana (N.) Heather Kelly Nicolas L. Kiep George Harrington

Mindful Philanthropy's Janna Bilski recently participated in The REAL Summit: The Intersection of Finance and Mental Health in New York City where she moderated a panel highlighting, The Power of Philanthropy to Accelerate Systemic Change in Mental Health.  She was honored to collaborate with incredible panelists including, Dr. Jim McDonough, LP.D, VP at Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Lynsey Bilsland, Head of Mental Health Translation at Wellcome Trust, and Jacqueline Valouch, Head of Wealth Planning & Philanthropy at Deutsche Bank. This panel highlighted philanthropy's unique role in catalyzing increased mental health funding and innovation. Thank you to Janna and these panelists for capturing philanthropy's important role.

We recently hosted a panel discussion in partnership with Mindful Philanthropy, during which prominent mental health experts covered the latest trends in youth mental health and promising philanthropic opportunities for positive impact in the area. Attendees engaged with panelists, shared lessons learned from their own philanthropic journeys, and explored best practices for creating meaningful change.

Last week, Mindful Philanthropy had the privilege of partnering with Bessemer Trust to bring together an incredible panel on youth and mental health in the Bay Area. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our inspiring panelists—Amy Price, Bryan King, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, and Jevon Wilkes—for sharing their time and insights. Your expertise and perspectives added a profound depth to the evening's conversation, and I'm truly grateful for your commitment to advancing mental health for our youth. A huge thank you to Bessemer Trust for your partnership and to everyone who joined us.

Thank you to our friends at THIS CAN HAPPEN for inviting our CEO Alyson Niemann to speak at their conference earlier this week. Read their key takeaways from Alyson's presentation on workplace well-being and the U.S. mental health philanthropy landscape below.

I’m honored to have been invited by THIS CAN HAPPEN to speak at their Empowering Workplace Mental Wellbeing online conference. It was a privilege to share insights on the landscape of mental health philanthropy and its impact on workplace wellbeing across the United States. Thank you to the This Can Happen team for creating such a meaningful platform for these important conversations!

Just returned from the incredible Mental Health and Well-Being Partner Gathering at West Creek Ranch in Montana. The theme of “Belonging” resonated deeply as we explored how we, as a community, can support one another in driving real impact. One of the most meaningful moments was the informal dinner, where small group conversations gave us the chance to connect on a personal level and dive into discussions about our programs and organizational management challenges. It was truly inspiring to see so many leaders building a network of peers they can turn to for problem-solving and support. I also had the privilege of leading a session where I shared the work we're doing at Mindful Philanthropy and the trends we're seeing in mental health funding. It was an honor to engage with so many brilliant minds committed to transforming mental health and well-being for the future. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and made this gathering such a success! A special thank you to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for their support in bringing us together. I’m looking forward to the continued collaboration and building even stronger connections.

LISTEN: CEO Alyson Niemann sits down with The Business of Giving podcast host Denver Frederick to discuss Mindful Philanthropy's role in revolutionizing mental health funding. “I remember when I first joined Mindful Philanthropy and I would describe the mission to people, and they would say, ‘Oh, that’s so niche, that’s so small in what you’re trying to do,” and I would say, “No, actually, we think mental health is at the center of all things and all social issue areas.’” Thank you to Denver Frederick and #TheBusinessOfGiving for sharing your platform with us to activate philanthropy in order to transform the future of mental health and well-being! https://lnkd.in/gsyz--SR #mentalhealth #philanthropy #businessofgiving #podcast #listen #mentalhealthphilanthropy #funding #mentalhealthfunding

The Mental Health Toll of Hurricanes & Climate Disasters: A Call to Action for Funders As we witness the devastation from recent hurricanes, it's critical to remember that the impacts go beyond physical destruction. Extreme weather events increase rates of substance use, anxiety, depression, and PTSD (1). Studies show that between 30-40% of survivors experience PTSD (2). In fact, cases of psychological trauma from disasters outnumber physical injuries by 40 to 1 (3). Extreme weather events can also increase risks of gender-based violence, aggression, and even suicide — adding layers of trauma to already vulnerable communities (4). Philanthropy has a unique role to play. By supporting mental health initiatives in disaster-stricken areas, we can help survivors rebuild not just homes, but their emotional well-being. Funding trauma-informed care, crisis counseling, and community-based mental health programs will ensure long-term recovery and resilience. 💡 Now is the time to invest in mental health programs that provide support during and after climate disasters. Together, we can help communities heal — physically and emotionally — after the storm. Please consider supporting efforts like: - Federally Qualified Health Centers provide mental health services, accept Medicare and Medicaid, and target underserved areas and populations. - Community discussions and peer groups hosted through local faith institutions, community-based organizations, or towns. Higher levels of social support, faith, and belief in your own resiliency are connected to reduced mental health symptoms after extreme weather events (5). - Local community foundations will best know emerging needs and context on the ground. Dogwood Health Trust, for example, is focused on health issues and inequities in Western North Carolina, including mental health. #mentalhealth #hurricanerelief #climatedisaster #climatechange #funding #philanthropy #funders #hurricanemilton #hurricanehelene