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HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 204559210 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE H129 · Medical Research · Medium ($1M-$10M) · hopefordepression.org
revenue
$3.4M
expenses
$7.3M
net assets
$34.2M
employees
10
volunteers
55
program ratio
70%
mission · from form 990

THE FOUNDATION FUNDS RESEARCH TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSES OF AND NEW AND BETTER TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE ILLNESS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) is a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the discovery of new treatments for depression by funding cutting-edge neuroscience research. It supports the Depression Task Force, a collaborative team of leading scientists across institutions who share data in real time to advance understanding of depression's biological roots. The foundation also runs public awareness campaigns and fundraising events to combat stigma and support research.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Depression Task Force (DTF)
A collaborative research initiative uniting top neuroscientists from institutions across the U.S. and Germany to identify neural circuits and genetic factors underlying depression and develop new treatments.
HOPE Luncheon Seminar
Annual educational and fundraising event in New York and Palm Beach featuring scientific updates on depression research and treatment breakthroughs.
Race of Hope
Annual 5K fundraising event held in Palm Beach and New York City to raise awareness and funds for depression research.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Mental Health Research and Services Funding 2 activities
    • Funding neuroscience research on depression and related mood disorders
      Funds advanced neuroscience research to identify the root causes of depression, improve diagnosis, develop new treatments and medications, and create prevention methods for depression and related mood and emotional disorders including bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, PTSD, anxiety disorder, dysthymia, and suicide. Directs 100% of donor contributions to depression research.
    • Funding public awareness and education programs about depression
      Funds initiatives to increase public awareness about depression as a medical illness, reduce stigma, and educate communities about treatment and research advancements.
  • Neurological Disorder Research & Rehabilitation 1 activity
    • Conducting collaborative neuroscience research through the Depression Task Force
      Leads the Depression Task Force, a collaborative research initiative launched in 2010 involving leading neuroscientists from institutions in the U.S. and Canada, who conduct joint research across genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, electrophysiology, and brain imaging to accelerate discovery of depression's biological mechanisms.
  • Mental Health Education and Awareness 1 activity
    • Hosting public fundraising and awareness events
      Organizes and hosts community events including the Race of Hope 5K, Run for Hope, Week of Hope, and HOPE Luncheon Seminars in locations such as New York City, Palm Beach, and Southampton, engaging thousands of participants to raise funds and awareness for depression and anxiety research and youth mental health.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Implementing integrated research plans with real-time data sharing
      Developed and implemented a comprehensive, coordinated research roadmap—known as The Hope Project—integrating multiple scientific disciplines and enabling real-time sharing of research results through the HDRF Data Center at the University of Michigan to accelerate discovery.
    • Providing strategic scientific guidance and capacity building
      Supports the development of scientific priorities, long-term research direction, and visibility within the neuroscience community through strategic oversight and expert guidance.
    • Publishing research findings and scientific progress reports
      Publishes updates and progress reports on the scientific discoveries and advancements made by the Depression Task Force, including findings such as imbalances in neural circuits and microscopic connections in brain regions associated with depression.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.35M
Contributions & grants$2.13M64%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.22M36%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$7.28M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising22%
Salaries & benefits$942K
Grants paid out$4.47M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$39.42M
Cash$382K
Investments$236K
Liabilities$5.26M
Net assets$34.16M
Liquid reserves1.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +25.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
LOUISA BENTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $302K
board members · 7
  • AUDREY B GRUSS — CHAIRMAN & DIRECTOR
  • DAVID ZISLIN — VICE PRESIDENT / TREASURER
  • DR DAVID KAHN — DIRECTOR
  • DR HAROLD W KOENIGSBERG — DIRECTOR
  • DR ROBERT MICHELS — DIRECTOR
  • DR STEVEN P ROOSE — DIRECTOR
  • MARTIN D GRUSS — SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 33

Who they work with

  • Columbia University Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientists René Hen, Ph.D., and Jonathan Javitch, M.D., Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • Columbia University Partner — Hosts a member of HDRF's Scientific Advisory Council who contributes expertise in brain sciences.
  • Columbia University Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force members Dr. René Hen and Dr. Jonathan Javitch, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Davis Center Partner — Hosted the starting point of the NYC Race of Hope in Central Park.
  • Depression Task Force Network — Collaborative network of leading neuroscientists funded and coordinated by HDRF to advance depression research.
  • Depression Task Force Network — Scientific team leading HDRF's research strategy and executing the Depression Research Road Map
  • Depression Task Force Partner — International collaboration of neuroscientists conducting joint research on depression and related mood disorders.
  • Depression Task Force Partner — Scientific collaboration of seven leading brain scientists conducting integrated research on depression and related disorders.
  • Douglas Institute Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientist Michael Meaney, Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • Douglas Institute Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force member Dr. Michael Meaney, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Dr. Kafui Dzirasa Partner — HDRF Depression Task Force scientist whose research on neurotechnology for depression is supported by the foundation.
  • Duke University Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientist Kafui Dzirasa, Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • Duke University Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force member Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Facebook Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientist Conor Liston, M.D., Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force member Dr. Conor Liston, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Findlay Galleries Partner — Honored at the Hope Luncheon Seminar, indicating a recognized partnership or collaborative relationship
  • Harvard Medical School Partner — Hosts a member of HDRF's Scientific Advisory Council who contributes expertise in psychiatry.
  • Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientist Elisabeth Binder, M.D., Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force member Dr. Elisabeth Binder, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital Partner — Hosts a member of HDRF's Scientific Advisory Council who contributes expertise in psychiatry.
  • McGill University Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientist Michael Meaney, Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • McGill University Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force member Dr. Michael Meaney, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Mount Sinai School of Medicine Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientists Helen S. Mayberg, M.D., and Eric Nestler, M.D., Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
  • Mount Sinai School of Medicine Partner — Institutional affiliation of Depression Task Force members Dr. Helen S. Mayberg and Dr. Eric Nestler, involved in collaborative depression research.
  • Salk Institute for Biological Studies Partner — Hosts a member of HDRF's Scientific Advisory Council who contributes expertise in brain and cognition research.
  • The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Partner — Hosts a member of HDRF's Scientific Advisory Council who contributes expertise in psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
  • Twitter Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • University of California, San Diego Partner — Hosts a member of HDRF's Scientific Advisory Council who contributes expertise in psychology and neurosciences.
  • University of Michigan Partner — Hosts Depression Task Force scientist Huda Akil, Ph.D., contributing to collaborative depression research.
+ 3 more
strategies · 5

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.

  • Bio-Electrical Brain Circuitry Framework
    methodology: bio_electrical_brain_intervention
    By framing depression as a disruption of the brain’s electrical circuitry, the foundation directs research toward bio-electrical interventions because this model enables the development of precise, physiology-based treatments rather than relying solely on chemical or behavioral approaches.
  • Collaborative, Real-Time Neuroscience Research Acceleration
    methodology: collaborative_research_acceleration
    By convening top neuroscientists into an integrated, multidisciplinary team and enabling real-time data sharing through a centralized repository, the foundation accelerates discovery because coordinated collaboration reduces duplication, enhances validation speed, and allows rapid iteration across labs and disciplines.
  • Expert-Led, Centralized Research Roadmapping
    methodology: expert-guided_research_prioritization
    By using a centralized, expert-guided research roadmap to direct funding and coordinate efforts, the foundation increases the efficiency and impact of depression research because strategic prioritization ensures resources are allocated to the most promising, high-leverage avenues.
  • Iterative Animal-Clinical Research Model
    methodology: iterative_animal_clinical_research
    By cycling insights between animal models and clinical research, the foundation improves understanding of depression and develops targeted treatments more effectively, because bidirectional validation accelerates the identification of biologically relevant mechanisms and refines experimental focus.
  • Public Education and Stigma Reduction via Community Engagement
    methodology: community_engagement_for_stigma_reduction
    By engaging communities through public events and education, the foundation increases support for depression research and treatment because reducing stigma and social isolation fosters help-seeking behavior and broadens societal investment in mental health.