The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation, Sevita’s private foundation, a leading national provider of community-based health care and support services, announced that it has awarded grants to five organizations in its fiscal year 2023 summer grant cycle.

The organizations awarded support some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those with brain and spinal cord injuries, youth facing emotional, behavioral, and other challenges, and their families and caregivers.

“We are honored to continue supporting these amazing organizations and their innovative initiatives,” said Whitney Shufelt, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Our goal with this grant program is to form lasting partnerships, invest in impactful community organizations, and to be the catalyst for real change toward a more inclusive world for all people. We are grateful to play a part in these efforts coming to fruition, learning as they implement their big ideas, and continuing to grow.”

Grant recipients include:

• Special Olympics: supporting the Healthy Communities US-based inclusive health program and its digitization efforts (national)
• National Inclusion Project: supporting the third year of its online Inclusive Recreation Specialist Course for recreation and special education professionals (national)
• RespectAbility: funding apprenticeships in its National Leadership Program for adults with disabilities (national)
• Rise Above Foundation: funding for extracurricular, educational, and fun experiences for youth engaged in the child welfare system (Massachusetts)
• Kidpower International: supporting the Trauma to Thriving social emotional health program for vulnerable children and adults with IDD (national)

Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations whose values align with Sevita’s core belief that everyone has the right to live well. These organizations are change agents within health care and human services and are delivering innovative care, developing new ideas and models to improve access to quality health care, and creating opportunities for individuals to live a full, more independent life.

Since its establishment in 2007, the MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $4 million to over 300 organizations across the country.