Active Minds announced today a $20 million unrestricted donation from MacKenzie Scott, marking the largest contribution in the organization's history. This follows her earlier $4 million support in 2021 and solidifies Active Minds as a key national force in advancing youth mental health priorities across society.

Following the gift, Active Minds has collaborated with its board, youth leaders, and school partners to pinpoint strategic investments aimed at enhancing long-term influence. The resulting multi-year plan emphasizes expanding national systems that foster community ties, empower youth leadership, support youth-driven initiatives, and convert young voices into broader policy shifts.

The organization intends to grow funding for youth-led efforts, including the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Academy for high school students and the Active Minds Mental Health Advocacy Institute for college attendees. These programs will equip more young people with skills in leadership, advocacy, and organizing to promote mental health improvements in their local settings. Additional resources will broaden reach for national programs, allowing greater numbers of youth to build mental health knowledge, form peer connections, advocate for change, and cultivate supportive environments.

Although this gift transforms the group's capacity, it also highlights the ongoing urgency for consistent backing of youth mental health services nationwide.

"This represents a pivotal time for Active Minds and youth mental health across the nation," said Alison Malmon, Founder and Executive Director at Active Minds. "We deeply appreciate MacKenzie Scott's confidence in our work and community. The support enables us to pursue ambitious, long-planned expansions in youth leadership and solutions that usher in a fresh chapter for mental health."

Active Minds has spent over twenty years reshaping mental health culture via youth leadership, peer support, education, and advocacy. Founder Alison Malmon established the group during her junior year at the University of Pennsylvania following the suicide of her brother Brian.

Starting with its initial college chapter in 2001, Active Minds has evolved into a national effort that engages over 4.5 million young people through peer programs, education, advocacy, and community activities.

Amid rising demands from schools and communities for effective youth mental health approaches, Active Minds sets a standard for youth-driven programming and culture shifts. This funding speeds up expansion of proven initiatives, bolsters leadership training, deepens local involvement, and advances a vision where mental health remains a core priority.

About Active Minds: Active Minds stands as the largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health standards. Over two decades, the group has prepared peer advocates via chapter networks, A.S.K., and Send Silence Packing. Its campaigns drive lasting shifts in how young people perceive and address mental health while influencing community supports. The effort builds a wide coalition focused on better mental health outcomes for everyone.

MEDIA CONTACTS Dante Worth

SOURCE Active Minds, Inc.