irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.86MEXPENSES TO PROVIDE RESEARCH GRANTS, SELECT PROSPECTIVE GRANTEES, SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND FURTHER PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT AND RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSES, CURES, AND PREVENTION OF CHRONIC AND SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESSES. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSES REPORTED, THE REPORTING ORGANIZATION'S SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL CONTRIBUTED SERVICES OF $1,590,810. (DONATED SERVICES ARE NOT REPORTED AS EITHER REVENUE OR EXPENSE AS PER IRS FORM 990 INSTRUCTIONS.) THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL CONSISTS OF A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS WHO ARE LEADERS IN NEUROSCIENCE AND PSYCHIATRY. THESE VOLUNTEERS PRIMARILY REVIEW RESEARCH GRANTS AND PROJECTS ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION. ALSO, IN 2024 THE REPORTING ORGANIZATION UTILIZED A GRANT WHICH PROVIDED ONLINE ADVERTISING, AT NO COST, HAVING A VALUE OF $464,145.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Independent Investigator Grants
Supports experienced researchers pursuing novel investigations into the causes, treatments, and prevention of psychiatric illnesses
Scientific Council
Comprised of leading neuroscientists and psychiatrists who review and select grant applications based on scientific merit and innovation
Young Investigator Grants
Provides up to $70,000 over two years to early-career scientists conducting innovative research on mental health disorders
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Mental Health Education and Awareness 4 activities
- Advocating for mental health awareness and treatment accessAdvocates for increased awareness and access to care for conditions like hoarding disorder and promotes normalization of mental health treatment as part of overall brain health.
- Distributing public-facing mental health information and resourcesPublishes Brain & Behavior Magazine and provides educational resources on child and adolescent mental health, holiday stress, screen use, and other practical topics to support families and individuals affected by mental illness.
- Providing expert commentary on brain health and behaviorOffers expert insights on the neuroscience of behavior change, realistic goal-setting, and mental well-being to support public understanding of brain health.
- Providing public education on mental health through mediaProduces and broadcasts the public television program “Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein” on PBS, educating the public about mental health, reducing stigma, and promoting help-seeking behavior.
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Research and Scholarly Fellowship Support 3 activities
- Facilitating scientific peer review and grant oversightEmploys a Scientific Council of 191 experts to evaluate and recommend funding for research grant applications, ensuring scientific rigor and innovation in funded projects.
- Funding mental health research through competitive grant programsAwarded over $476 million in research grants to support more than 6,886 projects led by over 5,731 scientists globally, including funding for early-career and senior-level researchers. The grants have generated over $4.6 billion in follow-on research funding.
- Supporting senior-level scientists in neurobiological and behavioral researchAwarded $1 million Distinguished Investigator Grants annually to 10 senior-level scientists for advanced research in neurobiological and behavioral science.
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Neurological Disorder Research & Rehabilitation 1 activity
- Conducting and disseminating targeted neuroscience researchConducts and funds specific research projects on depression, autism, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and related conditions, resulting in peer-reviewed findings such as RNA-based therapies, modified LSD analogs, transcranial ultrasound therapy, and discoveries in neuronal regulation of feeding behavior.
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Scientific Conference & Symposium Management 1 activity
- Hosting and disseminating scientific research symposia and webinarsOrganizes the annual International Mental Health Research Symposium and hosts scientific webinars featuring researchers, with recordings made publicly available to broaden access to cutting-edge findings in brain and behavior science.
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Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
- Publishing annual reports and research advancementsProduces an annual report and booklet highlighting research advances, innovations, and grantees supported by the organization, including breakthroughs in optogenetics, brain stimulation, and rapid-acting antidepressants.
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Mental Health Research and Services Funding 1 activity
- Supporting early-career scientists in mental health researchFunded over $10 million in Young Investigator Grants to support early-career scientists conducting innovative research in brain and behavior, with annual publications highlighting grantees and their work.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$27.69M
Contributions & grants$19.10M69%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$8.17M30%
Other revenue$414K
expenses
Total expenses$16.48M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$3.22M
Grants paid out$11.58M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$62.42M
Cash$38.04M
Investments$20.94M
Liabilities$16.99M
Net assets$45.43M
Liquid reserves42.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +27.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFREY BORENSTEIN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 35 | $648K |
| LOUIS INNAMORATO CPA | CFO | 35 | $465K |
| FAITH ROTHBLATT | VP OF DEVELOPMENT | 35 | $334K |
| SHO TIN CHEN | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH GRANTS | 35 | $261K |
| LAUREN DURAN | VP OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | 35 | $254K |
| PETER TARR | EDITORIAL/WRITER DIRECTOR | 35 | $197K |
| JOHN BAYAT | SENIOR ACCOUNTANT | 35 | $156K |
board members · 18
- BARBARA K STREICKER — DIRECTOR (THRU 10/28/24)
- BARBARA TOLL — DIRECTOR
- CAROL ATKINSON — DIRECTOR
- CAROLE H MALLEMENT — DIRECTOR
- DONALD M BOARDMAN — DIRECTOR (TREASURER THRU 10/28/24)
- GEOFFREY SIMON — CHAIRMAN
- J ANTHONY BOECKH — DIRECTOR
- JEFFREY R PETERSON — DIRECTOR
- JOHN B HOLLISTER — DIRECTOR
- JOHN KEN HARRISON — DIRECTOR
- JOHN R OSTERHAUS — VICE PRESIDENT (SECRETARY THRU 10/28/24)
- JUDY GENSHAFT — SECRETARY (AS OF 10/28/24)
- KENNETH H SONNENFELD — DIRECTOR
- MARC R RAPPAPORT — DIRECTOR
- MARTIN H BORELL — DIRECTOR
- MARY E RUBIN — DIRECTOR
- MILTON MALTZ — DIRECTOR
- MIRIAM KATOWITZ — TREASURER (VICE PRESIDENT THRU 10/28/24)
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- American Psychiatric Association Government — Former affiliation where Dr. Borenstein served as Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric News
- Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Network — Primary organization administering Distinguished Investigator Grants and hosting the International Mental Health Research Symposium
- Columbia University Partner — Institution where Dr. Adhikari completed Ph.D. studies, forming part of the academic foundation for research shared through the foundation.
- Columbia University Medical Center Partner — Co-affiliated institution with New York State Psychiatric Institute for Dr. J. John Mann's research
- Harvard Medical School Partner — Host institution for BBRF Scientific Council member Dr. William A. Carlezon Jr. involved in LSD-derived therapeutic research
- Jeffrey Borenstein Government — President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, providing expert commentary on mental health and neuroscience
- Jeffrey Borenstein Government — President and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and a Manhattan-based psychiatrist
- McLean Hospital Partner — Affiliated institution with Harvard Medical School for Dr. William A. Carlezon Jr.'s research
- New York State Psychiatric Institute Partner — Host institution for BBRF Scientific Council member Dr. J. John Mann studying screen addiction and mental health in youth
- PBS Partner — Collaborates to distribute the "Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein" program through public television and PBS.org.
- PBS Partner — Collaborates with PBS to produce and distribute the television series "Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein" to educate the public on mental health.
- Scientific Council Partner — Composed of leading scientists who review and select research proposals for funding.
- Scientific Council Partner — Expert body responsible for selecting grant recipients.
- Scientific Council Partner — Group of world-renowned scientists that reviews and selects research for grant funding.
- Scientific Council Partner — Volunteer council of world-renowned experts that reviews and recommends research grants
- Stanford University Partner — Institution where Dr. Adhikari completed postdoctoral training, contributing to the scientific expertise leveraged in foundation-supported research.
- The University of Texas at Austin Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigator Dr. Gregory A. Fonzo conducting pilot trials of transcranial focused ultrasound therapy
- UCLA Psychology Department Partner — Hosts Dr. Adhikari's research lab, which conducts studies funded or disseminated by the foundation.
- University of California, Berkeley Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigators Dr. Stephan Lammel and Dr. Neta Gazit Shimoni studying neurotensin signaling in obesity
- University of Colorado, Boulder Partner — Host institution for Dr. June Gruber, whose research is featured in a foundation webinar
- University of New South Wales Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigator Dr. E. Zayra Millan researching FGF21 analogs for alcohol use disorder
- University of Pittsburgh Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigator Dr. João Paulo Lima Santos studying screen time, sleep, and depression in youth
- University of Trento Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigator Dr. Marta Biagioli conducting RNA-based therapy research
- Washington University in St. Louis Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigator Dr. Caroline P. Hoyniak studying sleep and depression in preadolescents
- Weill Cornell Medicine Partner — Host institution for BBRF Scientific Council member Dr. Conor Liston involved in psychedelic-derived therapeutic development
- WoodNext Foundation Funder — Collaborated with the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation to award $1 million in funding.
- Yale School of Medicine Partner — Host institution for BBRF Young Investigator Dr. Matthew J. Girgenti conducting single-cell analysis of PTSD brain changes
- Yale University Partner — Former affiliation of Dr. June Gruber, whose research is featured in a foundation webinar
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Early Intervention and Resilience-Building in Youth Mental Healthmethodology: early_interventionBy emphasizing early recognition and intervention in children, and equipping them with tools to manage challenges, the organization improves long-term mental health outcomes because early support builds resilience and prevents escalation of distress.
- Elite Peer Review for High-Impact, Innovative Researchmethodology: peer-reviewed grant selectionBy using a council of world-renowned scientists to conduct rigorous peer review, the organization identifies and funds high-risk, high-reward research with breakthrough potential because expert-driven evaluation prioritizes innovation over convention.
- Full Donor-Dollar Leverage for Researchmethodology: donor-dollar leverageBy directing 100% of donor-funded research contributions to grants through separate funding of operating costs, the organization maximizes research impact because donors know their full contributions advance science directly.
- Seed Funding for Early-Stage, Scientist-Driven Researchmethodology: seed funding for innovative researchBy supporting bottom-up, investigator-initiated ideas, the organization enables transformative discoveries because early-stage funding allows scientists to pursue novel, unconventional hypotheses that traditional funders may overlook.