More big donors supporting - and discussing - mental health
Wealthy donors publicly gave more to mental health last year than in any other year over the past decade: According to a Chronicle of Philanthropy tally of publicized donations of $1 million or more, 15 donors gave 16 such gifts totaling nearly $767 million in 2021
When the financier Jeff Yabuki and his wife, Gail, announced last year they would give $20 million to the Children’s Wisconsin health system, they become one of a growing number of wealthy donors awarding large contributions to programs that focus on mental health.
They also became one of many philanthropists who are growing increasingly comfortable talking about their personal experiences with mental health challenges and engaging in efforts to attract more resources to organizations that help people facing similar issues.
Among the steps the Yabukis took: They worked with fundraisers at Children’s Wisconsin to create a video that could be shared with other potential donors.
In the video, Jeff Yabuki tells the heartbreaking story of the evening in 2017 when his brother Craig Yabuki drove to Zuma Beach in Malibu, California, and killed himself.
