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Stanley Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$58.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $58.0M
00

Stanley Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $58,300,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $58,000,000 (with vast majority to Broad Institute)
  • Geographic Focus: Primary focus on Broad Institute (Massachusetts); smaller grants in Connecticut
  • Assets: $553,981,303 (2023)

Contact Details

Email: SFF@mbi-inc.com
Phone: (914) 260-6358
Address: Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Website: The foundation does not maintain a public website, but information can be found at https://www.mbi-inc.com/philanthropy/

Overview

The Stanley Family Foundation was established in 1986 by Ted Stanley (died 2016), founder of the Danbury Mint, and his late wife Vada Stanley (died 2013). The foundation was created after their son Jonathan was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1988 and successfully treated with lithium, going on to graduate from college and law school. This personal experience transformed the Stanleys into what became likely the largest philanthropic supporters of psychiatric research, providing more than $1.2 billion for research on bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses. Ted and Vada Stanley were 2012 signatories of the Giving Pledge, committing to give away at least half of their wealth to philanthropy. The foundation's mission is to "fund research to reduce the burden of serious mental illness."

The Stanley Family Foundation is the majority shareholder of MBI Inc., with company profits supporting mental illness research. With assets of over $553 million and annual giving of $58.3 million in 2023, the foundation made 18 grants that year. The vast majority of funding supports the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute, with total gifts to date of approximately $860 million—representing the largest philanthropic commitment ever made to psychiatric research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Research Funding

  • Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute: Annual grants ranging from tens of millions of dollars. In 2023, approximately $58 million was awarded. The foundation committed $650 million in 2014 (to be distributed through annual gifts during Ted Stanley's lifetime followed by a bequest), and has pledged an additional $800 million to be donated from the estate.

Connecticut Community Grants

  • Community Development & Education: $5,000 - $20,000
  • Mental Health Organizations: $5,000 - $20,000
  • Rolling basis, no fixed deadlines (invitation only)

Priority Areas

Primary Focus: Psychiatric Research

  • Understanding disease pathogenesis of serious mental illness
  • Identifying biomarkers for psychiatric disorders
  • Developing new psychiatric treatments
  • Genetic variant discovery (particularly for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia)
  • New methodologies and tool development for biological mechanism research

Secondary Focus: Connecticut Community Support

  • Mental health service providers
  • Community development organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Conservation efforts

Recent Grantees Include:

  • Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute (primary beneficiary)
  • Laurel House (mental health provider in Stamford, CT)
  • Treatment Advocacy Center (national mental health organization)
  • Bridges Healthcare (behavioral health provider in New Haven, CT)
  • Building One Community (Stamford, CT)
  • St. Martin de Porres Academy (New Haven, CT)
  • Community Partners in Action (Hartford, CT)
  • Norwalk Community College
  • Wildlife Conservation Society

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly specify exclusions, but their focused approach indicates:

  • Organizations outside psychiatric research or Connecticut community development
  • General operating support for organizations not already in their portfolio
  • Capital campaigns unrelated to their core mission
  • International programs (except as related to Broad Institute research)

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Theodore R. Stanley (1924-2016), founder of the Danbury Mint
Co-Founder: Vada Stanley (died 2013)

Key Family Member: Jonathan Stanley, son of Ted and Vada Stanley, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1988 at age 19. He is a founder and board member of the Treatment Advocacy Center and serves as a trustee of the foundation.

The foundation is managed through MBI Inc., with inquiries directed to SFF@mbi-inc.com.

Ted Stanley's Perspective on Philanthropy:

Ted Stanley was motivated by both personal experience and frustration with the pace of psychiatric research. As reported in multiple sources, after his initial $100 million commitment to create the Stanley Center in 2007, Stanley called back with an escalated proposal: "How about we give you $100 million over ten years?" This eventually led to the unprecedented $650 million commitment in 2014—the largest gift to psychiatric research ever made. His approach was characterized by patient, sustained investment in fundamental research aimed at discovering the biological roots of mental illness.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Stanley Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.

Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees, primarily supporting:

  1. The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute (pre-established commitment)
  2. Selected mental health organizations in Connecticut (invitation only)
  3. Community development and educational organizations in Connecticut with which the foundation has established relationships

The foundation does not maintain a website or published application guidelines. All funding decisions are made internally by the trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable—the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding decisions are made internally by trustees on a rolling basis.

Success Rates

Not applicable for external applicants, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2023, the foundation made 18 grants from its portfolio of pre-selected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Stanley Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no application process for external organizations. However, understanding what drives their grantmaking reveals:

For Psychiatric Research:

  • The foundation seeks research that focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms of serious mental illness
  • Emphasis on translational research—moving from basic neuroscience to therapeutic applications
  • Multi-year sustained investment rather than short-term projects
  • Focus on diseases including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other serious mental illnesses

For Connecticut Community Grants:

  • Organizations providing direct mental health services
  • Educational institutions serving underserved populations
  • Community development organizations addressing social determinants of health
  • Conservation efforts (limited scope)
  • Pre-existing relationships with the foundation or its trustees

Key Insight from Their Grantmaking Pattern: The Stanley Family Foundation represents a model of highly focused, sustained philanthropic investment. Rather than distributing smaller grants across many organizations, they have concentrated their resources on one major initiative (the Stanley Center) while maintaining a modest portfolio of Connecticut-based community grants. This approach reflects Ted Stanley's belief in patient, long-term investment in fundamental research.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: This foundation operates by invitation only. Organizations cannot apply for funding through any public process.
  • Highly concentrated giving: The vast majority (over 99%) of annual grants go to the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at Broad Institute as part of a long-term commitment.
  • Connecticut community focus for smaller grants: Beyond the Broad Institute, the foundation makes modest grants ($5,000-$20,000) to Connecticut-based organizations in mental health, community development, and education.
  • Relationship-based grantmaking: Connecticut grants appear to go to organizations with established relationships with the foundation or its trustees.
  • Mental health alignment critical: Even community grants tend to connect to mental health services or populations affected by mental illness.
  • Multi-generational commitment: Jonathan Stanley, son of the founders, continues to be involved in the foundation's work and serves on the board of grantees like Treatment Advocacy Center.
  • Patient, sustained investment philosophy: The foundation's approach favors long-term, substantial commitments to fundamental research rather than numerous small grants or short-term projects.

References

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