Mental Research Institute
Preselected recipients only
Mental Research Institute is a private foundation in Menlo Park, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $560,280 in 33 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $25,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$560,280
- Number of grants33
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$25,000
- Assets$11.2 million
- New grantees93%
Giving in 2025 was up from $412,565 the year before.
93% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $326,408 | 12 | $10.4 million |
| 2024 | $412,565 | 19 | $10.6 million |
| 2025 | $560,280 | 33 | $11.2 million |
How to apply
Mental Research Institute says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Mental Research Institute funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 19 states, the most to Colorado.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 4 | $74,457 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $55,000 |
| California | 2 | $50,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $50,000 |
| Georgia | 3 | $49,500 |
| Texas | 2 | $38,000 |
| New York | 3 | $35,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $25,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $25,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $25,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | Neural synchrony during emtional interactions as p | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania State University | Exploring relational impacts student-designed mind | $25,000 |
| Yale University | Systemic child anxiety intervention on family func | $25,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Gre | Centering youth voices humanizng mental health | $25,000 |
| Duke University | Understanding how interpersonal relationships and | $25,000 |
| New York University- Metropolitan C | Emotion regulation and psychological well-being | $25,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Foundat | Dyadic processes underlying loneliness and risk of | $25,000 |
| Seattle University | Daily emotion regulation strategies and depression | $25,000 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Cueing parents to reframe negative emotions for th | $25,000 |
| Stanford University | Fostering the compassionate mind implementing comp | $25,000 |
| University of Georgia | Coregulatory synchrony and resilience in child-par | $25,000 |
| University of Denver | Exploring maternal grandmother support in prenatal | $25,000 |
| Claremont McKenna College | Shared remembering in romantic relationships | $25,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | How couples use humor to navigate gendered inequal | $23,000 |
| University of Denver Department of | Parent-infant group therapy for interrupting abuse | $20,121 |
| Texas Christian University | Romantic relationship functioning in autistic adul | $20,000 |
| University of Georgia Foundation in | Protective role of couple relationship functioning | $20,000 |
| University of Denver | Cueing parents to reframe negative emotions for ch | $19,336 |
| Texas Am University | Neural pathways to positive family development pr | $18,000 |
| University of North Florida | Food and screens relate to parent-child interactio | $15,000 |
| Wayne State University | Enhancing adolescent friendships through digital e | $15,000 |
| University of Notre Dame du Lac | Evidence based family support for palestine famili | $14,823 |
| University of Minnesota | Behaviors as promotive factor in family relationsh | $10,500 |
| University of Denver | Maternal prenatal depression reduction and observe | $10,000 |
| University of Arizona Norton Schoo | Understanding prosocial communication in substance | $10,000 |
| University of Missouri | Examination of social support in text messages | $5,000 |
| State University of Iowa | Exploring the impact of a digital storytelling gro | $5,000 |
| Florida State University | Mental health outcomes for sandwiched caregivers | $5,000 |
| Lehigh University | Examination of identity in new motherhood | $5,000 |
| University of Minnesota | Regulation in mentoring the role of mentors emot | $5,000 |
| Syracuse University | Perceived partner responsiveness as a scaffold for | $5,000 |
| University of Rochester | Seeing clearly or seeing through tinted glasses | $5,000 |
| University of Georgia | Cultural socialization black mothers | $4,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Peggy Bradshaw
- Mary Ann Norfleet
- Sophie Suberville
- Patrick Whalen
- Kathryn Dewitt
Questions people ask
Does Mental Research Institute accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Mental Research Institute give?
$560,280 in tax year 2025, across 33 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs Mental Research Institute?
Its 2025 filing lists Peggy Bradshaw (Treasurer), Mary Ann Norfleet (President), Sophie Suberville (Executive Director) and Patrick Whalen (Secretary) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Mental Research Institute fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and human services.