About
Three friends. One question.
The Heard is a men's mental health foundation run by three friends. We started with one question: what would have helped us when it got hard?
Our mission
A culture where it is safe to say it
Spread awareness of men's mental health, break down stigma, and put real money behind access to care and education. Selling shirts is one tool. The goal is a culture where a young man can say he is struggling and be met with help.
Awareness
Stories, a weekly bulletin, and community partners such as the YMCA.
Access
Therapy grants and scholarships for young men who cannot pay.
Research
Support for organizations studying men's mental health and treatment.
How the money moves
In and out
Money comes in from merchandise, general donations of any size, and community events. It goes out through the programs below. Everything marked Planned opens after our 501(c)(3) approval.
Grants and scholarships
The Marshall Scholarship
For young men whose academic performance was affected by mental health challenges. Evaluated through an application and an interview, so potential counts alongside grades.
PlannedThe Meadors Fund
Grants to therapy providers. Partner organizations choose which young men receive free or subsidized sessions, and The Heard funds the cost.
PlannedThe Boynton Fellowship
Fellows organize peer groups and mental health conversations, reduce stigma, and build support networks for other young men.
PlannedStigma reduction and fundraising
The Heard x Fraternities
Limited-run apparel made with participating fraternities. Each drop pairs The Heard's branding with the chapter's identity, and profits fund our programs.
PlannedThe Buffalo Run
A charity 5K, walk or fun run with fraternities and campus groups. Registration fees and donations fund therapy grants and scholarships.
PlannedThe Heard Summit
An annual event with speakers, panels and personal stories. Ticket sales, sponsorships and donations support our programs.
PlannedAnnual Golf Tournament
A yearly day on the course for players, sponsors and volunteers. Entries, sponsorships and donations support our programs. Date and course to be announced.
AnnualResearch donations
Men's mental health research
We plan to support organizations such as the Movember Foundation, which funds research on men's mental health, suicide prevention and access to treatment.
PlannedUniversity psychology labs
Partnerships with university psychology departments, including work supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, and graduate student projects.
PlannedClinical psychology and therapy
Studies on therapy effectiveness and treatment outcomes, including work associated with the American Psychological Association.
PlannedNamed organizations above are examples of the kinds of work we hope to support. They are not current partners and have not endorsed The Heard.
Community partner
Starting at the YMCA
The YMCA already builds on mind, body and spirit, and it reaches a large youth audience. Our plan is to start with one location, the South Valley YMCA, do it well at small scale, and let it grow from there.
The Heard Spotlight
A planned monthly insert in the YMCA member newsletter. It uses the YMCA's existing email, so no member lists are shared. Every insert carries crisis resources.
Each issue: an anonymous community story, one practical coping tool, a YMCA-vetted mental health resource, and a link to the full story on this site.
The board
Led by friends
The foundation is led by a three-member board.
The Heard's 501(c)(3) application with the IRS is in progress. Until it is approved, donations are not yet tax-deductible.