Saks is getting behind World Mental Health Day with the release of the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation’s annual Impact Report that spotlights the foundation’s achievements in advancing its mission to make mental health a priority in every community.
The report, which highlights $1.2 million in grants delivered, underscores the foundation’s commitment to supporting mental health programs that increase awareness, bolster education and improve access to care. The foundation also revealed the recipients of its 2024 local grant program, providing funding to 10 grassroots organizations that are of service to the mental health care of their communities.
“Across the U.S., there is a substantial gap between need and funding for mental health support,” said Marc Metrick, chief executive officer of Saks Global and vice president of the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Board. “We recognize the crucial demand for better access to mental health care in underserved communities across our country, and we’re proud of the progress that the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation has made to help increase access to care. Our achievements are made possible through the continued support of our nonprofit partners and donors, and we appreciate their commitment to the foundation’s mission.”
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Of the $1.2 million in grants that the foundation delivered in the past year, 82 percent of these grants supported underserved communities, $250,000 of grants supported grassroots nonprofit organizations’ local mental health programs, and nearly 30,000 individuals were reached with direct mental health support. The foundation also supported educational programming in 70 high schools and local youth programs.
Since 2017, Saks and the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation have invested more than $8 million in U.S. mental health initiatives that reached more than 13 million individuals with messages that combat the shame and stigma surrounding mental health struggles, and funded nonprofit partners that directly served more than 700,000 people with mental health care. The foundation also funded 19 research projects, unlocking $13 million in additional federal research grants.
The foundation also continues to fund the work of leading nonprofit organizations across the U.S., such as Bring Change to Mind, the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, Girls Inc., the Inspiring Children’s Foundation and the Trevor Project. In addition, in September, the foundation joined Kate Spade New York’s Global Fund for Women’s Mental Health as a founding partner.
For the third year in a row, the foundation is providing grants totaling $250,000 to support 10 nonprofit organizations serving the mental health of underserved communities in need, with a focus on youth, women, communities of color and the LGTBQ+ community.
The recipients of the 2024 local grant program are Awaken Pittsburgh, Entwine Community, Girls for Gender Equality, Healthcare Foundation of Sonoma County, Jacob’s Heart, Kids Count in Alachua County, Red Hook Initiative, Rocky Mountain Equality, The Rowan Center, and You Gotta Believe.
The foundation identified the grantees through an open application process that launched during Mental Health Awareness Month last May. Saks received three times the number of applications than in prior years, which were reviewed and selected by a committee of cross-functional Saks employees.
As part of its integrated marketing initiative, customers can support the foundation with the purchase of items from the Saks Fifth Avenue-branded merchandise collection. Launched in 2023, the collection includes wool and cashmere hats, gloves and blankets, 100 percent cotton Ts, fleece-lined hoodies, robes, beanies and sleepwear, all made in Italy and featuring the Saks Fifth Avenue logo. At least 50 percent of the purchase price from each item will benefit the foundation and the nonprofit organizations it supports.
Now through Oct. 24, Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Beverly Hills; Birmingham, Ala.; Chevy Chase, Md.; Chicago; Greenwich, Conn.; New Orleans; New York; Raleigh, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Tulsa, Okla., will display dedicated installations featuring items from the Saks Fifth Avenue-branded merchandise collection.
Saks will publish custom content Thursday across its digital platforms that highlights its employees’ personal tips and practices for supporting mental health and well-being. The company will also host an afternoon of events and activities virtually and at its Brookfield Place office where teams can connect, learn new skills and give back to the community.
