Our Work

Guiding Principles for Grantmaking

We take a systems change approach to our work.
No single sector or organization is exclusively responsible for delivering effective suicide care or making it a national priority. We work with other funders, policymakers, and the private and public sectors, and we invest in projects that promote coordination across all levels of government and the nonprofit and private sectors.
We collaborate with our grantees.
We provide support designed to best meet the needs of each grantee, working alongside partners to design, build, and evaluate programs. We also serve as a connector and convener, helping partners come together to share ideas and drive innovation.
We promote evidence-based practices.
Effective suicide care exists. We strongly believe that we have enough treatment research today to act now to improve suicide care across the healthcare system. When promising practices lack a strong evidence base, we may invest in further evaluation.
We value both clinical expertise and lived experience.
We believe that an effective and compassionate system of care should be shaped by treatment and implementation research, the expertise of clinical professionals, and the insights of people with lived experience.

What We Fund

Direct Service

We provide funding to organizations providing suicide care to increase the quality and availability of these services

Leadership Development & Workforce Training

We support the development of leaders and clinical providers in suicide care by funding fellowships, educational opportunities, and training programs, all aimed at fostering deep expertise, comfort, and competency in caring for people struggling with suicide.

Research & Innovation

We provide grants for scientific research, innovative ideas, and emerging practices to improve suicide care. This involves validating effective suicide care practices, along with implementation science to ensure their successful adoption in health care settings.

Organizational Capacity Building

We make grants to strengthen the essential infrastructure for effective suicide care at both the organization and system levels. This includes enhancing operational systems, implementing best practices, and funding technology or tools.

Building System Capacity

We invest in organizations and initiatives that take a system-level approach to addressing structural gaps and barriers that limit access to effective suicide care. These challenges include inadequate training, fragmented care systems, and inconsistent quality standards.

Advocacy & Public Policy

We recognize the critical role of government and policymakers in improving suicide care. Our grantmaking supports policy initiatives that address systemic barriers, expand access to evidence-based treatment, and create stronger incentives to deliver high-quality care.

How We Fund

We provide funding in Vermont, regionally, and nationally, and support organizations with the following types of grants.

Planning Grants: We provide grantees with the time, resources, technical assistance, and coaching necessary to develop strong plans for growth and innovation.
Big Bet Grants: We make significant, multi-year investments designed to help organizations execute large-scale plans that can substantially improve suicide care. These grants fund both program activities and organizational capacity building.
Project Grants: We fund suicide care initiatives with clear goals and deliverables, such as direct service delivery, training programs, or specific capacity-building activities. These grants address distinct needs or opportunities within the suicide care landscape.
Sponsorship Grants: We provide support to fund specific events or convenings aligned with our mission that share knowledge, build awareness, or advance professional development in suicide care.