The demands of managing a mental illness while keeping a course load are often overwhelming. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 64% of students who live with a mental illness discontinue their education due to reasons associated with their illness. 50% of those students did not receive any mental health supports.
A 2012 grant from The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation opened many new possibilities to Fountain House members as they sought academic degrees, technical certification, support for classes in the arts and explored areas of passion and interest. Predominantly applied to a Scholarship Program designed to provide critical resources that assist individual in pushing their academic paths and other creative opportunities for learning, the impact of the grant funds are as unique and varied as the individuals who receive them. The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Scholarship helps people to take a first step they give ongoing support to students pursuing degrees; and they open up employment opportunities that might have been missed without further education.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital applied their 2014 Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation grant funds to establishing and supporting the Behavioral Neurology/Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program at BWH. The Sidney R. Bar, Jr. Foundation’s contribution had a direct impact on the education and training of the hospitals fellows and, thus, the field of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry.
Who is qualified to apply for a grant?
Qualifying organizations must have tax-exempt status under IRS sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). They must agree to expend no more than seven percent of the received fund on the organization’s administrative expenses and the primary focus of the application should be programs concentrating on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Do I need to submit a letter of intent?
Yes. Only after submitting a letter of intent will an applicant be invited to officially apply for a grant via our Foundant online portal. LOIs will be accepted November 1st through March 1st. Please visit our GRANTS page for more information on our LOI and grant submission process.