The Steve Fund
The Steve Fund is a US nonprofit founded in 2015 that promotes mental health and emotional well-being for young people of color through higher education partnerships, digital wellness resources, crisis text support, and community-based programs, having reached 5 million+ beneficiaries nationally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersProvidence, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Steve Fund does
The Steve Fund is a US nonprofit organization founded in 2015 and legally registered as The Stephen C. Rose Legacy Foundation (a District of Columbia nonprofit corporation), headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island with a listed mailing address in Olney, Maryland. Its mission is to promote the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color during key transitions from adolescence through higher education into the workforce. The organization serves young people of color, their families, higher education institutions (including a documented 18-campus pilot cohort and HBCU partnerships), community colleges, youth-serving nonprofits, and corporate workforce programs.
Its core product portfolio combines direct service programs with a digital content ecosystem. Flagship programs include Excellence in Mental Health on Campus (EHMC), the Workforce Transitions Initiative, Higher Education Consulting Services, the Young Men of Color initiative, and the Well-Being in Color high school workshop series. The proprietary digital platform My Digital Sanctuary is organized around four pillars — Liberate, Relate, Motivate, Create — offering curated articles, meditations, and exercises for holistic well-being. A 24/7 text-based crisis support service is delivered through a partnership with Crisis Text Line (text STEVE to 741741). The Equity in Mental Health Framework is published as guidance for higher education leaders. Content distribution spans a podcast (SpeakOnIt!), videos, newsletters, social media, and events, with research outputs co-produced with partners including UNCF and the Healthy Minds Network at University of Michigan.
The business model is grant-funded philanthropy. All programs and digital resources are provided free of charge to beneficiaries; there is no commercial pricing. Funding sources include foundation grants (notably a $600,000 award from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation in 2023, a $20,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation in 2019, and a 2019 Twilio.org Impact Grant), corporate partnerships (Leidos, Morgan Stanley Alliance, Kaiser Permanente), individual donations, and event-based fundraising such as the 2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by President Evan Rose and is currently led by Interim Executive Director Sandra Timmons. In 2025, it celebrated its 10th anniversary, reporting cumulative impact of 5 million+ young people served through its culturally responsive mental health solutions.
The Steve Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Steve Fund
- Legal name
- The Stephen C. Rose Legacy Foundation
- Website
- https://stevefund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Steve Fund is a US nonprofit founded in 2015 that promotes mental health and emotional well-being for young people of color through higher education partnerships, digital wellness resources, crisis text support, and community-based programs, having reached 5 million+ beneficiaries nationally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Steve Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Mental Health Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)
Keywords
Where The Steve Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Providence
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Steve Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Grants: The Steve Fund operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from foundations and corporate partners. Notable grants include $600K from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to expand programs addressing mental health of young people of color, and $20,000 from Newman's Own Foundation.
- Donations: Individual and corporate donations support the organization's programs, resources, and events. The organization actively promotes donation through its website.
- Partnership Funding: Corporate partnerships and collaborations provide funding and resources, including sponsorship of specific programs and resources (e.g., Leidos-sponsored Mental Health Awareness Month resources on My Digital Sanctuary).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Steve Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Steve Fund is a nonprofit organization that delivers culturally responsive mental health programs, consulting, and digital resources to support the emotional well-being of young people of color. Its core offerings include the Excellence in Mental Health on Campus (EHMC) initiative for higher education institutions, the My Digital Sanctuary digital wellness platform, workforce transition support, workshops and seminars, and crisis text-based support delivered through a partnership with Crisis Text Line.
Product overview
The Steve Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people, particularly those from underserved and under-resourced communities. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs and digital platforms organized around a multi-pronged approach: (1) direct service programs including Excellence in Mental Health on Campus (EHMC), Workshops and Seminars, Workforce Transitions Initiative, Higher Education Consulting Services, and the Young Men of Color initiative; (2) the My Digital Sanctuary digital platform featuring four pillars (Liberate, Relate, Motivate, Create) for holistic well-being support; (3) crisis support via a partnership with Crisis Text Line enabling text-based counseling; and (4) resource hubs including Knowledge Center, Family Corner, and the #MySafeSpace campaign. The organization also produces content through the SpeakOnIt Podcast and publishes research through reports like the Equity in Mental Health Framework.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Excellence in Mental Health on Campus (EHMC) A flagship initiative that partners with higher education institutions to transform policies, practices, services, and racial climate to better support the mental health and well-being of students of color. Targets college and university administrators.
- Workshops and Seminars Mental health educational workshops and seminars for high school and college students designed to increase knowledge about mental health, self-care, help-seeking, and peer support.
- Workforce Transitions Initiative Program focused on the critical transition points for young people of color entering the workforce, providing solutions for private sector employers to support this transition.
- Higher Education Consulting Services Consulting services for colleges and universities to improve mental health and well-being support for young people, including implementing the Equity in Mental Health Framework.
- Young Men of Color Initiative Initiative specifically designed to address the mental health needs and support the well-being of young men of color through targeted programming and resources.
- My Digital Sanctuary A comprehensive digital wellness platform that brings information and creativity together to support soul care — a holistic approach to emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Features four pillars: Liberate, Relate, Motivate, and Create. Free to access for young people of color.
- SpeakOnIt! Podcast Youth-produced podcast series bringing students and professionals together to discuss mental health topics relevant to young people of color.
- Well-Being in Color Mental health educational workshops for high school students that prepare teen peers to co-facilitate discussions about mental health, mental illness, and accessing help.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5 million+ young people impacted through culturally responsive mental health programs over 10 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Steve Fund
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Steve Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Steve Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- JED FoundationcoreThe Steve Fund formed a partnership with the nation's leading organization dedicated to mental health of students, launching 'The Steve Fund and JED Foundation Partnership for Mental Health of Students of Color.' The joint program develops comprehensive recommendations for supporting emotional well-being and mental health (and preventing suicide) among students of color, including educational campaigns to develop mental health literacy and reduce stigma.
- Crisis Text LinecorePartnership provides 24/7 text-based crisis counseling service. Users text STEVE to 741741 to connect with trained crisis counselors. The partnership specifically targets college and university students from underserved and under-resourced communities to improve access to crisis counseling.
- Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children's Mental HealthcoreThe Steve Fund is a partner in the Morgan Stanley Alliance on Children's Mental Health. Collaborated on the Reemergence program providing support and resources for families and educators addressing children's mental health. Survey data from the alliance revealed mental health disparities among youth of color during COVID-19 pandemic.
- LeidosminorLeidos-sponsored Mental Health Awareness Month campaign featuring five new resources on My Digital Sanctuary. Corporate partnership supporting mental health content creation.
- Kaiser PermanentecorePartnership with Kaiser Permanente to address mental health needs of community college students. Hosted 'Mental Health By Design' summit bringing together mental health advisors, community college administrators, and tech innovators to discuss implementing mental health strategies and frameworks.
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF)corePartnership with UNCF to analyze mental health survey data from students at HBCUs. Co-hosted 'UNAPOLOGETICALLY FREE: Student Mental Health Conference' for students, faculty and staff.
- Healthy Minds Network at University of MichigancorePartnered with UNCF and Healthy Minds Network at University of Michigan to conduct and analyze survey of students at HBCUs regarding mental health needs and experiences.
- Georgetown UniversityminorConvened 80 mental health and higher education experts for a two-day convening to discuss mental health and wellness of students of color, especially implications following the Supreme Court's ruling to end Affirmative Action in college admissions.
- Bank of America (Boston Marathon)minorThe Steve Fund was selected as one of 160 organizations for the 2024 Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program. Charity Team runners raise funds leading up to the 128th Boston Marathon.
- Harvard UniversityminorPartnered with Harvard University on 'Young, Gifted & Well' day-long convening at Harvard Graduate School of Education, bringing together leading researchers, practitioners, administrators, faculty and students.
- National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI)minorHosted National Town Hall called 'Lift Every Voice: A Call to Action to Promote the Mental Health of the Black Family' addressing mental health in communities of color.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Steve Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: Nonprofit focused on reducing stigma around mental health in the African American community; directly comparable culturally responsive mental health mission for Black youth and families.
- JED Foundation: Leading national nonprofit dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention of college students; Steve Fund's core strategic partner with a joint program for students of color. Most directly comparable mission and audience.
- Crisis Text Line: 24/7 text-based crisis support organization; Steve Fund's embedded partner that delivers the Text STEVE to 741741 service—comparable in crisis intervention model though broader in audience.
- Born This Way Foundation: Lady Gaga-founded nonprofit promoting youth mental health and kindness; comparable donor-backed, youth-focused, multi-channel (digital content, partnerships, research) operating model.
- Active Minds: Student-led nonprofit focused on mental health awareness and education in higher education; comparable audience (college students), chapter-based distribution model, and national policy advocacy footprint.
- The Trevor Project: Leading nonprofit providing crisis intervention and mental health support to LGBTQ+ young people; directly analogous operating model with crisis line, digital platform, research, and youth-focused mission.
Emerging players
- Erika's Lighthouse: Nonprofit dedicated to adolescent and young adult depression and mental health education in schools; smaller scale but comparable teen-and-school-focused delivery model and curriculum approach.
- Black Mental Health Alliance: Nonprofit developing and promoting mental health awareness, support, and advocacy for Black communities; smaller scale but highly overlapping audience and culturally competent care focus.
Broad incumbents
- Mental Health America: One of the oldest and largest community-based mental health nonprofits in the U.S.; broader population focus but overlapping screening tools, research, policy advocacy, and B2B programs in higher education.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Largest U.S. grassroots mental health organization offering education, support groups, advocacy, and public awareness; Steve Fund has co-hosted NAMI town halls, indicating direct programmatic overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Steve Fund social profiles
Digital presenceThe Steve Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Steve Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Steve Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Steve Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Steve Fund
What does The Steve Fund do?
The Steve Fund is a nonprofit organization that delivers culturally responsive mental health programs, consulting, and digital resources to support the emotional well-being of young people of color. Its core offerings include the Excellence in Mental Health on Campus (EHMC) initiative for higher education institutions, the My Digital Sanctuary digital wellness platform, workforce transition support, workshops and seminars, and crisis text-based support delivered through a partnership with Crisis Text Line.
Is The Steve Fund a public or private company?
The Steve Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Steve Fund founded?
The Steve Fund was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Steve Fund based?
The Steve Fund is headquartered in Providence, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Steve Fund make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and partnership Funding.
Who are The Steve Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, JED Foundation, Crisis Text Line, Born This Way Foundation, Active Minds and The Trevor Project. Emerging players are Erika's Lighthouse and Black Mental Health Alliance. Broad incumbents are Mental Health America and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Does The Steve Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Steve Fund.
What industry is The Steve Fund in?
The Steve Fund's product category is Youth Mental Health Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8300.