What Philly's Nonprofits Should Know About the van Ameringen Foundation

Editor's note: This article was revised and updated on 6/17/2021.

There aren’t too many philanthropic foundations solely devoted to funding mental health agencies, so if you’re working in the field of mental health, it’s time to start familiarizing yourself with the van Ameringen Foundation (Read van Ameringen Foundation: New York City Grants). These are the most important things to keep in mind as you consider contacting the foundation for a grant this year.

Grants Are Awarded in New York City and Philadelphia

Although you will see an occasional grantee in New Jersey, pretty much all grantmaking is focused on the New York City metropolitan area and Philadelphia. Although the late Arnold van Ameringen's daughter, Patricia Kind, focuses her foundation’s grantmaking only in the Philadelphia region (Read Patricia Kind Family Foundation: Philadelphia Grants), Arnold chose to also support the location of his company, International Flavors and Fragrances. With just two cities in the mix, you’ll only be competing for grants against your closest neighbors.

van Ameringen Takes a Broad Approach to Mental Health

Although all van Ameringen Foundation grants support mental health efforts, the scope of these efforts is broad. For example, the foundation awards grants to support programs for the isolated elderly, victims of domestic abuse, emotionally disturbed children, recent immigrants, and prisons and jails. A significant number of grants are also awarded for vocational services, structural reform and advocacy, and research and training. Of course, rehabilitation centers tend to be frequent grantees, and recent recipients in New York include the Art Therapy Outreach Center, Fountain House, and Harlem United.

Unsolicited Letters of Inquiry are Welcome

Unlike many foundations in the city, the van Ameringen Foundation welcomes unsolicited letters of inquiry. As a general rule, programs that increase the accessibility of mental health programs for the poor and that offer preventive and early-intervention strategies tend to be the most successful. The foundation also likes to see mental health advocacy programs that have both a local and a national impact. Letters of inquiry should be emailed to Letterofinquiry@vanamfound.org typically between April and June. The board meets in June and November to make decisions on grants.