van Ameringen Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The van Ameringen Foundation supports mental health service and advocacy organizations in the greater New York City and Philadelphia metro areas. It also funds some limited national advocacy groups.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible funder with a transparent application process. It only funds in New York City and Philadelphia, so grantseekers outside those areas will want to look elsewhere. But for those who pass Ameringen’s eligibility quiz, this is a good funder to know.
PROFILE: Established in 1950, the van Ameringen Foundation was created by Arnold Louis van Ameringen and his wife, Hedwig, in 1950. It seeks to fund “innovative and practical programs for early intervention, advocacy and increased accessibility of mental health services for people and communities with limited financial means and opportunities.” Its grantmaking supports Philadelphia and the five boroughs of New York City. It also supports select national advocacy efforts. It works in the mental health space exclusively and funds prevention, education, and direct care. Grantmaking prioritizes “assisting people and communities with limited resources and opportunities to access preventive, early intervention and effective mental health treatment.”
Not to be confused with the H. van Ameringen Foundation (founded by Henry P. van Ameringen in 1967), which funds HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ and community development.
Grants for Mental Health and Public Health and Access
The foundation’s grantmaking is entirely focused on the mental health field. However, within this area, it prioritizes support for “innovative and practical grant proposals.” It looks to fund groups and projects that work to increase access to mental health services, specifically in communities with limited financial means and opportunities. Ameringen will also fund organizations that offer preventive and early-intervention strategies or advocate for systemic change with local or national impact.
The foundation funds general support and project specific grants for projects and groups that provide a direct service, “such as case management, assessment, counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric care, training, or jobs, housing, and other supports to people and communities confronting significant mental illness.” The non-direct service grants support mental healthcare advocacy, efforts to disseminate mental health research and information through media systems, and training activities “that provide learning and skill-building opportunities for mental health providers, advocates, people living with mental illness, policymakers, and family or community members.” A list of past grantees in available here.
Important Grant Details:
Direct service grants are between $25,000 and $75,000 annually, while non-direct service grants are up to $250,000 annually; however, Media/Dissemination & Training Grants are limited to $25,000 to $75,000 annually. Both grants are for up to three years.
It will only make grants in the five boroughs of New York City and within the city limits of Philadelphia. While it does make some grants nationally to support advocacy at the national level, these are infrequent. New grantseekers need to take a short eligibility quiz before applying and will need to register via the application portal before submitting a letter of inquiry. Current grant deadlines are available here.
PEOPLE:
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