Foundation Of Hope

What Foundation Of Hope does

Foundation of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 in Raleigh, North Carolina by Thad and Alice Eure following their son's diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The organization funds seed-stage mental illness research — with a particular focus on bipolar disorder and, more recently, child and adolescent mental health through the CHAAMP program — by issuing grants exclusively to the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over a 40+ year operating history, Foundation of Hope has deployed more than $12.1M in seed grants that have subsequently leveraged approximately $298M in federal research funding, yielding a documented 41:1 leverage ratio. In parallel with its research mandate, the organization funds community mental health initiatives, an endowed professorship, and donor-recognition infrastructure including the Walkway of Hope.

Foundation of Hope operates an event-driven fundraising model anchored by its flagship Walk for Hope 5K, the Evening of Hope gala, and the Igniting Hope and Bahia Endless Summer Beach Party events. Revenue is diversified across individual donors, a monthly HopeGivers giving community, corporate sponsorships, annual fund campaigns, Walkway of Hope brick sales, giving community memberships, and micro-giving programs such as Round Up for Hope. The organization completed a $5M Campaign for CHAAMP capital campaign in 2025 and is staffed by approximately 7 full-time employees, with third-party trust signals including BBB accreditation, a Charity Navigator 4-star rating, and GuideStar Platinum Transparency. Core research outputs include typical seed grants of $50K–$60K and impact grants up to $200K, structured to fund early-stage investigator work that is positioned to attract downstream federal funding.

Name

Foundation Of Hope

Legal name

The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness

Website

https://www.walkforhope.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Foundation of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 in Raleigh, NC that funds seed mental illness research exclusively at the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry and supports community mental health programs through event-based fundraising and donor giving programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Research Funding (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAJALAI

Behavioral Health & Substance Use Program Funding (Public Health)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Funding, Grants & Program Administration

SECONDARYBPAGAKAB

Community Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAK

Education Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Mental health research funding
• Scientific research grants
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Community mental health
• Seed grant funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Event Fundraising: Annual Walk for Hope 5K Walk and Festival generates significant revenue; 2025 event aimed to raise $1 million. Evening of Hope gala and Igniting Hope events also contribute substantial fundraising.
2. Monthly Giving Program (HopeGivers): Recurring monthly donations from supporters providing sustainable income stream. Suggested amounts of $10, $20, $50, $100 per month.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Year-round sponsors and event-specific sponsors provide financial support. Walk sponsors underwrite event expenses allowing 100% of participant dollars to go to research.
4. Annual Fund & Campaigns: Annual fund campaigns and capital campaigns (such as $5 million Campaign for CHAAMP) drive major giving initiatives.
5. Brick Sales (Walkway of Hope): Sale of personalized engraved bricks at $150 each for the Walkway of Hope pathway at Angus Barn Pavilion.
6. Giving Community Memberships: Non-event gifts of $250+ annually qualify for Giving Community recognition at various levels (Seeder $250+, Cultivator $500+, Groundbreaker $1,000+, Innovator $5,000+, Accelerator $10,000+).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Foundation of Hope raises funds through annual community events (Walk for Hope 5K, Evening of Hope gala, Igniting Hope, Bahia Endless Summer Beach Party) and donation programs, then awards seed research grants to scientists at UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry to study mental illness. The foundation also funds community-based mental health initiatives in North Carolina and supports the CHAAMP child and adolescent research program.

Product overview

The Foundation of Hope operates as a research-focused non-profit organization with a portfolio of fundraising events and programs that support mental illness research at UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry. The core offering centers on the Walk for Hope annual 5K walk and festival, complemented by the Evening of Hope gala and Igniting Hope evening events. Major programmatic initiatives include CHAAMP (Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program) for youth mental health research, Mental Health Initiatives community grants, and the Thad and Alice Eure Distinguished Professorship. The organization employs a seed grant funding model, providing initial investments (typically $50,000-$60,000) to researchers that have collectively leveraged $298 million in additional federal funding. Multiple giving mechanisms support these programs including one-time donations, monthly HopeGivers subscriptions, planned giving, and the Walkway of Hope brick memorial program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHAAMP: Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program - a state-of-the-art research program at UNC improving the lives of children and teens with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

Products and services

• Walk for Hope Annual flagship charity 5K walk and festival held at Angus Barn in Raleigh, NC. Participants walk to show solidarity for those living with mental illness while raising funds for research at UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry. 100% of participant dollars directly fund research. Growth from 200 participants in 1989 to over 4,000 attendees by 2025.
• Evening of Hope Annual black-tie fundraising gala held at the Angus Barn Pavilion featuring exceptional dining, silent and live auctions, and guest speakers. Premium sponsorship and table packages available; paddle raise proceeds support CHAAMP research.
• Igniting Hope Annual evening event featuring dinner, dancing, and live auction. Supports breakthrough mental illness research through the Foundation of Hope CHAAMP research program. Held at Angus Barn Pavilion.
• Bahia Endless Summer Beach Party Annual summer fundraising event at Bahia Beach House & Surf Bar in Atlantic Beach, NC. Features live music, food, dancing, and cocktails. Proceeds support CHAAMP research program.
• CHAAMP (Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program) State-of-the-art research program at UNC dedicated to children and teens with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. Includes basic research, clinical and translational research, and community-based implementation research. Funded through a $5 million capital campaign completed in 2025.
• Scientific Research Grants Seed grant funding model awarding small grants (typically $50,000–$60,000, up to $200,000 for impact grants) to qualifying researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry. Since 1984, has awarded 221 grants totaling over $12.1 million, leveraging an additional $298 million in federal funding.
• Mental Health Initiatives (Community Grants) Community grants program awarding over $720,000 to 48 local mental health initiatives. Supports grassroots North Carolina organizations providing direct mental health services to underserved populations. Signature grantee: UNC Multidisciplinary Child Psychiatry Collaborative (awarded $341,850 since 2013).
• Thad & Alice Eure Distinguished Professorship Endowed professorship at UNC-Chapel Hill established in 2000 to ensure continued improvements to mental illness treatments. Currently held by Dr. John Gilmore, supporting early brain development research.

Quantifiable outcome

• 221 scientific research grants awarded totaling over $12.1 million, leveraging an additional $298 million in NIH and federal funding (41:1 return)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Dr. Danielle Roubinov, PhDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021CHAAMP Scholar leading the Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program. Previously with UCSF where she founded the Childhood Adversity and Resilience Lab. Leading research program funded by $5 million capital campaign.
• UNC-Chapel Hill Department of PsychiatrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984Exclusive research partnership since 1984. Foundation awards all scientific research grants to qualified researchers within the Department of Psychiatry. Partnership has awarded 221 scientific research grants totaling over $12.1 million, leveraging an additional $298 million in federal funding from NIH and other agencies. The partnership funds research across 13 mental illness categories including depression, schizophrenia, autism, eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety, women's mood disorders, dementia, and substance abuse.
• YardicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYear-round sponsor and Leader of Hope sponsor for Walk for Hope event. Underwrites event expenses allowing 100% of participant dollars to go directly to research funding.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeader of Hope sponsor providing travel prizes for Walk for Hope raffle. Donates domestic air travel for two as raffle prize.
• Angus Barn RestaurantcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor and Leader of Hope. Host venue for Walk for Hope, Evening of Hope, and Igniting Hope events. Walkway of Hope pathway located at Angus Barn Pavilion.
• First Citizens BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerYear-round sponsor supporting Foundation events and mission. Featured sponsor with logo placement.
• UNC HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerYear-round sponsor and Partner of Hope for Walk for Hope event. Healthcare system partnership supporting mental health research.
• UNC Multidisciplinary Child Psychiatry CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignature grant recipient since 2013. Foundation has awarded $341,850 to the clinic (formerly UNC Psychiatry Pediatric Behavior Clinic). Clinic provides comprehensive direct mental health services to underserved children and families, training for mental health professionals, and psychiatric consultative services.
• Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Dean of UNC School of Medicine and Distinguished Professor. Working alongside Dr. Roubinov to lead CHAAMP program. Led major research initiatives including gPACT study on postpartum depression.
• Vets to Vets UnitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMental health initiative grantee pairing rescued dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, or other mental illness.
• Wellness on Wheels (WOW)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMental health initiative grantee - innovative mobile health clinic collaboration between UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health and UNC School of Nursing providing basic health screenings throughout the Triangle.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Brain & Behavior Research Foundation: National nonprofit funding scientific research into mental illness (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, PTSD) via seed grants to researchers. Closest peer in mission and grantmaking model, though broader in recipient universities.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Funds research and runs community awareness/walk events for a mental health sub-cause (suicide prevention). Comparable community-walk fundraising model and research grantmaking approach.
• One Mind: Accelerates brain health research through targeted funding and partnerships with academic institutions. Similar seed-grant-to-leverage-federal-funding thesis and direct mental-health research focus.
• Dana Foundation: Private neuroscience and brain research foundation funding grants and outreach. Comparable grant-driven research funding model in adjacent neuroscience/mental health territory.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: National organization focused on mood disorders, combining research support, peer support, and public education. Comparable mental-health subvertical and community fundraising approach.

Broad incumbents

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Largest U.S. grassroots mental health organization with a comparable fundraising and advocacy mission, but operates at national scale with affiliate chapters rather than a single research-partnership model.
• Mental Health America: National nonprofit addressing mental health through research, advocacy, and community programs. Overlaps in mental health mission and donor base; broader in scope and not grant-focused.
• American Psychiatric Association Foundation: Philanthropic arm of the APA supporting mental health research, education, and awareness programs. Overlaps in mental health mission and donor pool, with broader institutional backing.
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Larger disease-research foundation using a venture philanthropy model (seed grants attracting larger federal/pharma follow-on funding). Useful benchmark for the seed-grant-leverage model Foundation of Hope applies to mental illness.

Regional players

• MQ Mental Health Research: UK-based mental health research foundation that funds scientific research across universities. Same research-driven grantmaking model but operates primarily in the UK rather than U.S.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/walkforhope
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Walkforhope
• Facebookfacebook.com/thewalkforhope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-of-hope-for-research-and-treatment-of-mental-illness
• Instagraminstagram.com/walkforhope

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foundation Of Hope