National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa

What National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa does

NAMI Iowa is the Iowa state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization founded in 1979. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Des Moines, the organization delivers free peer-led mental health education, support groups, advocacy, and crisis resources to Iowans affected by mental illness, with a self-reported headcount of 1-10 staff overseeing a network of 15 local affiliates across Iowa (Blackhawk, Carroll, Central Iowa, Dubuque, Greater Mississippi Valley, Johnson, Linn, North, Northeast, Northwest, South Central, Southeast, and Southwest counties).

Its program portfolio is modular and organized around three pillars: support groups (NAMI Connection, NAMI Family Support Group, NAMI LGBTQ+ Connection, Parent Navigator), structured education (NAMI Basics, NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Provider, NAMI Homefront), and community presentations (NAMI Ending the Silence, NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza, NAMI Sharing Hope). Supporting these are crisis referral pathways (988 Lifeline, Iowa Crisis Chat, NAMI HelpLine, Your Life Iowa), digital self-paced content (NAMI Basics OnDemand), specialized offerings (NAMI on Campus, NAMI Frontline Wellness, Mental Health First Aid), and advocacy/fundraising events (Day on the Hill, NAMIWalks Iowa, Beautiful Minds gala, Annual Conference). The underlying technology stack is light: a WordPress-based website at namiiowa.org plus Salsa Labs for donations, email, and event registration. No AI/ML, mobile app, or proprietary platform is in evidence.

The business model is a donation-funded nonprofit: tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations (UnitedHealthcare disclosed as a funder with a $20,000 August 2024 contribution), and foundations, supplemented by Amazon Smile affiliate revenue, membership dues routed through NAMI National, and event fundraising. All programs are delivered free of charge to participants. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors (President Aaron McHone, plus Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and standing members from healthcare, judicial, education, and behavioral health sectors) and recognized by Charity Navigator (4-star), Charity Watch, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar (Platinum Seal).

Name

National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa

Legal name

National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa

Website

https://namiiowa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NAMI Iowa is the 501(c)(3) Iowa state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, delivering free peer-led mental health support groups, education programs, advocacy, and crisis referrals to Iowans affected by mental illness across 15 local affiliates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAD

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Mental health support
• Peer support groups
• Mental health education
• Mental health advocacy
• Crisis intervention resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting mental health advocacy, education programs, and operational costs.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing newsletters, updates on mental health news, discussion group access, and opportunities to support others affected by mental illness.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue from NAMIWalks, Beautiful Minds gala, Annual Conference, and Day on the Hill advocacy events.
4. Amazon Smile: AmazonSmile program where a percentage of qualifying Amazon purchases is donated to NAMI Iowa (EIN 23-7084780).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NAMI Iowa provides free, peer-led mental health support groups, structured education programs, community presentations, crisis resource referrals, and advocacy/awareness events to Iowans affected by mental illness. Programs are delivered through a statewide network of 15 local affiliates and include offerings such as NAMI Connection, NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Basics, NAMI Ending the Silence, and Mental Health First Aid. All programs are provided at no cost to participants.

Product overview

NAMI Iowa is a statewide nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of free mental health support, education, and advocacy programs. The organization operates a modular program portfolio organized around three core pillars: peer-led support groups (including NAMI Connection and NAMI Family Support Group), structured mental health education programs (NAMI Basics, NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Provider, and NAMI Homefront), and community presentations (NAMI Ending the Silence, NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza, NAMI Sharing Hope). Additional offerings include crisis support services (988 lifeline, Iowa Crisis Chat, crisis text line), specialized programs for specific populations (NAMI LGBTQ+ Connection, NAMI on Campus, NAMI Frontline Wellness), and advocacy/special events (Day on the Hill, NAMIWalks, Annual Conference, Beautiful Minds). The organization also offers Mental Health First Aid certification training. These programs are delivered through a network of local affiliates across Iowa, with all core programs free to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NAMI Connection Peer-led support group for adults with mental health conditions providing a structured forum to share experiences and gain mutual support from others who have faced similar challenges. Free to participants in Iowa.
• NAMI Family Support Group Peer-led support group for family members, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions, offering mutual support and shared understanding among caregivers. Free to participants in Iowa.
• NAMI Basics 6-session education program for parents, caregivers, and family members providing care for youth (ages 22 and younger) experiencing mental health symptoms, available in-person and online via NAMI Basics OnDemand. Free to Iowa participants.
• NAMI Family-to-Family Free 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions, designated as an evidence-based program by SAMHSA. Delivered in Iowa through trained facilitators.
• NAMI Peer-to-Peer Free 8-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions designed to encourage growth, healing, and recovery through mutual support and skill development. Delivered in Iowa by trained peers.
• NAMI Provider 15-hour in-service training program for mental health professionals that expands their understanding of patient and family perspectives and promotes a collaborative model of care. Delivered in Iowa to clinical staff.
• NAMI Homefront Education class for families, caregivers, and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions, designed to help families understand challenges and improve their ability to support their service member or veteran. Delivered in Iowa.
• NAMI Ending the Silence Presentation designed for middle and high school students, school staff, and parents to learn about signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and the importance of early intervention. Delivered free in Iowa schools.
• NAMI In Our Own Voice Presentation for the general public that promotes awareness of mental health conditions and recovery, featuring personal stories from individuals living with mental illness. Free to Iowa audiences.
• NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza Bilingual Spanish presentation for Latino communities designed to promote mental health awareness, explore signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, and highlight how and where to find help. Delivered free in Iowa.
• NAMI Sharing Hope Presentation for African American communities designed to promote mental health awareness, explore signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, and highlight how and where to find help. Delivered free in Iowa.
• Crisis Support Services 24/7 crisis helpline and text services connecting individuals with trained mental health professionals and crisis resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Iowa Crisis Chat, and crisis text line integration. Free to Iowans.
• Mental Health First Aid 12-hour interactive certification course that teaches participants to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, including a 5-step action plan for crisis intervention. Offered in Iowa through NAMI Iowa.
• NAMI Frontline Wellness Resources and peer support training specifically designed for public safety and healthcare professionals, including firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency room physicians, and their family members. Includes 1-1 Peer Support Leader training in Iowa.
• NAMIWalks Iowa Annual fundraising and awareness event bringing together thousands of Iowans to support mental health programs and services across Iowa. NAMI Iowa's largest community event.
• Annual Mental Health Conference Iowa's largest peer-based mental health conference featuring national and local speakers, educational sessions across multiple tracks, and exhibitor opportunities for mental health professionals and community members.
• Day on the Hill Annual legislative advocacy event at the Iowa Capitol where advocates receive training on mental health policy and pending legislation, then meet with legislators. Hosted by NAMI Iowa.
• Beautiful Minds Annual fundraising event recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, featuring dinner, live entertainment, and personal stories from individuals affected by mental illness. Hosted by NAMI Iowa.
• NAMI on Campus Student-led mental health clubs on Iowa college campuses that raise awareness, educate peers, advocate for improved services, and offer signature NAMI programs to support student mental health.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of NAMI Basics participants say they would recommend the program to others
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• NAMIWalks IowaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 September 2026NAMIWalks Iowa is NAMI Iowa's largest mental health awareness and fundraising event, bringing together thousands of Iowans to support mental health programs. The event is a visible show of solidarity and helps ensure NAMI's free education, advocacy, and support programs are available to those who need them.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI National)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAMI Iowa is the state organization affiliated with NAMI National, the nation's leading voice on mental health. NAMI National provides program frameworks, educational materials, advocacy support, and brand affiliation. NAMI was founded in 1979 and has grown to over 500 local affiliates.
• Your Life IowacoreOthersYour Life Iowa (855-581-8111) is a 24/7 confidential support line for Iowans dealing with alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts, or mental health concerns. NAMI Iowa refers individuals to this resource for immediate crisis support.
• Iowa Crisis ChatcoreOthersIowa Crisis Chat (1-855-325-4296) is a volunteer-driven organization providing non-judgmental support for individuals facing emotional crisis, available 9am-2am CT daily. Outside hours, users are connected to Your Life Iowa's 24/7 chat.
• Iowa Office of Recovery Services (ORS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Iowa Office of Recovery Services connects Iowans with mental health and substance use resources, approached from the perspective of people with lived experience. ORS provides education and awareness through website, social media, and phone support systems.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Smile program allows shoppers to support NAMI Iowa (EIN 23-7084780) with qualifying purchases, with Amazon donating a percentage to the organization.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NAMI National: Parent organization and national umbrella for the NAMI state and local affiliate network. Operates the same program frameworks (Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, Basics, Ending the Silence) at a broader scale, with national advocacy and fundraising capacity.
• Mental Health America: National mental health nonprofit with state affiliates, offering education, screening tools, advocacy, and public awareness — a broader incumbent in the same nonprofit mental-health space as NAMI Iowa.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: National nonprofit focused on suicide prevention through research, education, advocacy, and loss support. Sits in the same mental-health nonprofit ecosystem, with overlapping Iowa chapters and donor pools.
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing: National membership organization supporting community mental health and substance use providers. Operates upstream of NAMI Iowa with provider-focused advocacy, training, and policy work in the same field.

Direct peers

• NAMI Minnesota: Neighboring NAMI state affiliate operating with a very similar mix of peer-led support groups, family education programs, advocacy, and fundraising events. Directly comparable in mission, program set, and operations model.
• Mental Health America of Iowa: Iowa-focused mental health nonprofit with overlapping mission across education, advocacy, and support. Operates in the same state, sharing donor and volunteer pools, and competes for similar grants and partnerships.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: National peer-led nonprofit offering support groups and education for people living with mood disorders. Closely aligned with NAMI Iowa's peer support and education model, though narrower in clinical scope.

Regional players

• Iowa Office of Recovery Services: Iowa state-run resource hub for mental health and substance use, serving as a referral and crisis partner to NAMI Iowa. Comparable as a regional mental health service provider but government-funded rather than nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NAMIIowa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nami-iowa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa