Mental Health Association of Central Florida

What Mental Health Association of Central Florida does

Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 and headquartered at 605 E Robinson St. in Orlando, Florida. The organization operates as a community-based mental health services provider serving uninsured individuals, involuntarily hospitalized Baker Act patients, and people in mental health recovery across Central Florida. MHACF runs four core service lines: the Outlook Clinic (the only free mental health clinic in Central Florida, providing over 4,000 patient visits annually to qualified uninsured children, adolescents, and adults), the Mental Health Connections referral program (maintaining a database of over 3,000 providers and connecting over 4,200 families annually to services), the Guardian Advocate program (training advocates to serve as surrogate decision-makers for involuntarily hospitalized Baker Act patients with no family, fulfilling nearly 500 hospital requests per year), and the Reflections Peer Recovery community (a peer-driven recovery support network). Additional programs include the You Are Lifeguard suicide prevention initiative, Youth and Family Services, the Coping Together virtual wellness series, and the My Story Matters program.

MHACF's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack rather than a commercial sales motion. Primary revenue streams include the annual Legacy of Champions Luncheon (a flagship fundraising event with a stated $250,000 annual goal, drawing 750+ attendees and sponsored by AdventHealth as presenting sponsor), individual and business memberships priced at $250 and $500 annually, direct cash donations processed through DonorPerfect, in-kind gifts via Amazon Wishlist and campaigns like Project Cheer, and third-party community fundraisers. Underlying technology is minimal and operational rather than productized: DonorPerfect handles donation processing, EventBrite manages luncheon ticketing, and an Amazon Charity List supports in-kind giving. There is no proprietary software platform, mobile app, or AI system—services are delivered by trained clinicians, advocates, volunteers, and peer support staff.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven. MHACF builds awareness and donor pipeline through grassroots community engagement, peer support groups, wellness education events, Suicide Prevention Month activities, and the annual luncheon featuring high-profile keynote speakers (Ashley Judd in 2024, Ice-T in 2025). Marketing channels span organic social (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube), a content-rich website (mhacf.org), email newsletters, and referral partnerships with regional behavioral hospitals and member providers. The organization is led by President and CEO Marni Stahlman and VP of Philanthropy Paul Secor, with a staff of 11-50 and an active Board of Directors governing operations.

Name

Mental Health Association of Central Florida

Legal name

Mental Health Association of Central Florida

Website

https://mhacf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MHACF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 in Orlando that provides free mental health services to uninsured Central Florida residents through its Outlook Clinic, a 3,000+ provider referral network, Baker Act Guardian Advocate program, and peer recovery community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Mental Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists (621112), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment & Care Planning (HSABAIAA)

Keywords

• Community mental health services
• Mental health referrals
• Mental health clinic
• Peer recovery support
• Behavioral health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

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. Individual and Business Memberships: Annual membership program providing provider logo listings, event tickets, social media recognition, and access to speaker's bureau. Individual memberships at $250/year, business memberships at $500/year.
2. Direct Donations: Cash donations through the organization's donor portal supporting mission-critical programs and operations.
3. In-Kind Donations: Gifts-in-kind including Amazon wishlist items, volunteer time, and donated goods for campaigns like Project Cheer that support community members and office operations.
4. Fundraising Events: Annual Legacy of Champions Luncheon is the primary fundraising method, with stated goals of $250,000 annually to support programs including the Outlook Clinic.
5. Community Fundraisers: Third-party fundraisers organized by community members at schools, workplaces, or through social media platforms to raise awareness and funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MHACF is a Central Florida nonprofit that provides a complimentary mental health provider referral service and free clinic care for qualified uninsured children, adolescents, and adults. Its service portfolio also includes Guardian Advocate support for Baker Act patients without family members to act for them, peer recovery, youth and family mental health services, and wellness and education programs.

Product overview

The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) offers a suite of mental health services centered around its core programs: the Mental Health Connections referral program connecting families to 3,000+ providers; the Outlook Clinic as the only free mental health clinic in Central Florida; the Guardian Advocate program for Baker Act patients; and the Reflections Peer Recovery community. Additional programs include You Are Lifeguard suicide prevention, Youth and Family Services, and wellness education initiatives. The organization operates primarily in Central Florida, providing both free services and professional referral networks, with the Legacy of Champions Luncheon as its primary annual fundraising event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mental Health Connections: Referral program that helps families connect to mental health services from a database of over 3,000 providers, serving over 4,200 families annually.
• Outlook Clinic
• Reflections
• Guardian Advocate

Products and services

• Mental Health Connections (Referral Program) A complimentary referral service connecting individuals and families to mental health and community service providers from a database of more than 3,000 providers, helping more than 4,200 families annually.
• Outlook Clinic The only free mental health clinic in Central Florida, providing free mental health services to qualified uninsured children, adolescents, and adults; it provided more than 4,000 patient visits last year.
• Guardian Advocate Program A program that trains individuals to serve as temporary surrogate decision makers for involuntarily hospitalized clients under the Florida Baker Act who have no family members to act on their behalf, receiving nearly 500 requests from Behavioral Hospitals in the past year.
• Reflections Peer Recovery A peer-driven recovery community working together in wellness and offering continuous support for individuals on their path to recovery.
• Youth and Family Services Services focused on mental health support for youth and families in Central Florida.
• Membership Program Individual and business membership opportunities providing benefits including provider logo listing on the Connections referral service, Legacy of Champions Luncheon tickets, and social media recognition; individual memberships cost $250 annually and business memberships cost $500 annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,200+ families connected to services annually through Connections Referral Program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Banyan Treatment CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health treatment provider participating in MHACF's membership program, receiving provider logo listing on the Connections referral service website.
• Brighter Day PsychminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health provider participating in MHACF's membership program, receiving visibility benefits through the Connections referral network.
• Brand New Day CounselingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health counseling practice in MHACF membership program, featured on Connections referral service.
• CBT of Central FloridaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCognitive behavioral therapy provider participating in MHACF membership program for referral network visibility.
• Cedrus MedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health services provider in MHACF membership program, listed on Connections referral service.
• CBCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health provider member with logo listing on MHACF's Connections referral program website.
• Sunrise AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational institution participating in MHACF membership program, receiving referral network benefits.
• HispafamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health services provider in MHACF membership program, featured on Connections referral website.
• Behavioral Hospitals (Regional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral hospitals in the Central Florida region refer patients to the Guardian Advocate program, with nearly 500 requests annually for trained advocates to serve as surrogate decision-makers for involuntarily hospitalized Baker Act patients.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): National mental health advocacy and support nonprofit offering education, peer support, and referral resources. Highly comparable as a peer-led mental health support organization with a similar awareness, education, and referral mission.
• Mental Health America: National mental health advocacy nonprofit providing screening tools, education, and affiliate network support. Directly comparable as a national umbrella organization whose local affiliates (like MHACF) deliver community-based programs.
• Aspire Health Partners: Central Florida's largest behavioral health and substance abuse services provider offering outpatient, inpatient, and community programs. Directly competes in the same regional market with overlapping mental health and substance use disorder services.
• NAMI Greater Orlando: Local NAMI affiliate serving the same Central Florida geography with peer support groups, education classes, and family programs. Directly comparable as a mental health nonprofit operating in MHACF's footprint.
• Directions for Living: Central Florida-based nonprofit providing outpatient mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare services. Directly competes for the same uninsured and underinsured clients in the Tampa Bay / Central Florida corridor.
• Florida Council for Community Mental Health: Statewide membership association for Florida's community mental health provider network. Comparable as a peer advocacy organization serving the same mental health nonprofit ecosystem across Florida.
• Shepherd's Hope: Central Florida nonprofit operating free health clinics for uninsured residents. Directly comparable business model: free clinical services for the uninsured, donor-funded, anchored in the same regional footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Centerstone: Large national behavioral health nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual disability services across multiple states. Comparable as a broader-scale behavioral health nonprofit with overlapping service lines.

Others

• Heart of Florida United Way: Central Florida's largest United Way, funding and coordinating health and human services nonprofits. Comparable as a regional community funding ecosystem participant and donor pipeline for organizations like MHACF.
• Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando: Central Florida social services nonprofit offering counseling, case management, and senior services. Comparable as a community-based services nonprofit in MHACF's geography with overlapping social assistance and counseling functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mhacf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNDzdX6VYguTVPER0ZqNVRw
• Facebookfacebook.com/mhacf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mental-health-association-of-central-florida
• Instagraminstagram.com/mhacf

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mental Health Association of Central Florida