Hope for Depression Research Foundation
Our mission is two-fold: first and foremost hdrf funds the most innovative neuroscience research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and suicide. Our second goal is to raise awareness of depression as a medical illness and to educate the public about the facts of depression. We educate and inform in order to help remove the stigma of depression. ********************************************************************* *********************************************************************
Key facts about Hope for Depression Research Foundation
In short: Hope for Depression Research Foundation gave $3.7M across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $732K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-4559210
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,660,611
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- Average grant
- $732,122
- Median grant
- $885,217
- Total assets
- $39,419,091
- Primary geography
- New York (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$39.4M
-10.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.7M
-26.3% YoY
Grant Count
5
-16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$732K
-11.6% YoY
How Hope for Depression Research Foundation gives
- Giving fell 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Hope for Depression Research Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Hope for Depression Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Medical Research, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $39.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $3.7M. Net investment income was $1.2M.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Hope for Depression Research Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 5 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE INC Menands, NY | DEPRESSION RESEARCH | $1,014,832 |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI New York, NY | DEPRESSION RESEARCH | $959,012 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Ann Arbor, MI | DEPRESSION RESEARCH | $885,217 |
| JOAN & SANFORD I WEIL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL New York, NY | DEPRESSION RESEARCH | $413,323 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY Durham, NC | DEPRESSION RESEARCH | $388,227 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,419,091 | $44,089,416 | $47,213,164 |
| Revenue | $3,352,342 | $2,671,993 | $3,383,561 |
| Expenses | $7,276,738 | $8,469,439 | $7,749,109 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,220,938 | $564,745 | $1,700,410 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Hope for Depression Research Foundation is led by Louisa Benton, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Louisa Benton
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$226K (2020) → $302K (2025)
Audrey B. Gruss
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Kahn
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harold W. Koenigsberg
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Michels
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven P. Roose
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Zislin
Vice President & Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice President & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bhash Lalta
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Keemss
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin D. Gruss
Senior Vice President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: William T. Speck (2020–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Frequently asked questions about Hope for Depression Research Foundation
How much does Hope for Depression Research Foundation give each year?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation gave $3.7M across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.0M across 6 grants.
What is Hope for Depression Research Foundation's typical grant size?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $885,217, and its average grant was $732,122, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Hope for Depression Research Foundation give grants?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation gives mostly in New York: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Michigan (24%) and North Carolina (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Hope for Depression Research Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Hope for Depression Research Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Depression Research" (5 grants).
Who are Hope for Depression Research Foundation's largest grantees?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene Inc ($1,014,832), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai ($959,012) and University of Michigan ($885,217), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Hope for Depression Research Foundation?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation reported $39.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.4M.
What is Hope for Depression Research Foundation?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Medical Research, based in New York, NY. It holds $39.4M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Hope for Depression Research Foundation's EIN?
Hope for Depression Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4559210. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Hope for Depression Research Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hope for Depression Research Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University funds research, health care, and medical research, including university research awards and subcontract grants to organizations. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $87,500, though awards ranged from about $5,300 to $35.5 million; recipients were concentrated in Georgia, which received 46% of grant dollars. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Northwestern University funds research, education, faculty and postdoctoral development, and community projects; its ANCHOR grants support partnerships addressing health and resilience in Evanston and Chicago. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $63,000, while listed programs range from up to $3,000 for research-library grants to $25,000–$65,000 for ANCHOR projects. It lists specific funding opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$20.8B
Grants
383
Total Given
$133.4M
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn
Arlington, VA
The Association funds ALS research, care services and clinics, assistive technology, and advocacy. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000 (ranging from $6,750 to $250,000); research applicants submit a letter of intent, with full proposals by invitation, while clinic grants have separate application processes.
Assets
$100.4M
Grants
42
Total Given
$3.5M
The Commonwealth Fund
New York, NY
The Commonwealth Fund supports health care research, policy, and projects that improve access, care quality, affordability, and equity, primarily through grants to health care-focused organizations. In 2025, grants ranged from $75 to $2.35 million, with a median of $15,000; it funds work in the United States and supports international learning and exchange. It accepts letters of inquiry through its online portal on a rolling basis and responds to unsolicited proposals, generally from tax-exempt charities.
Assets
$922.7M
Grants
534
Total Given
$31.3M
The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience
Minneapolis, MN
The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience funds competitive research on brain and behavioral disorders, including work on their biological mechanisms and potential diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Its 2024 grants ranged from $16,500 to $110,310, with a median of $75,000, and went to organizations in multiple U.S. states. It offers annual award programs with online applications; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
—
Grants
45
Total Given
$3.4M
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
New York, NY
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society funds global research to stop MS, restore lost function, and develop a cure, including research training and shared resources. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1.62 million, with a median of about $156,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$189.2M
Grants
92
Total Given
$23.2M
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
New York, NY
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation funds scientific research into serious mental illnesses and brain and behavior disorders, including work on causes, treatment, and prevention. In 2024, its grants ranged from $34,281 to $384,952, with a median award of about $70,000; grants went to research institutions, and no geographic limit is stated. It describes an application process but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$62.4M
Grants
80
Total Given
$8.4M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The foundation funds health initiatives to expand healthcare access and strengthen health systems, with priorities including cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation. Its 2024 grants had a median of $134,090, though awards ranged widely; its stated focus geographies are Brazil, India, ten Sub-Saharan African countries, and the United States. It invites organizations to inquire about its grantmaking process, with application materials available upon request and no deadline listed.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center supports medical and scientific research, health and educational programs, and related institutional purposes, with grants to universities, medical centers, and research organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $116,000, though awards ranged widely; recipients were based across the U.S., with the most funding going to Tennessee. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
246
Total Given
$125.1M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation supports neighborhood revitalization, underserved small businesses, financial health, and economic mobility and career pathways, with 2024 grants ranging from $4 to $4,635,000 and a median of $550. Its grants reached organizations across multiple U.S. locations, including Washington, DC, New York, California, Illinois, Washington state, and Georgia. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
11,076
Total Given
$193.0M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Pfizer Foundation funds locally led health programs that improve access to care and strengthen health systems, as well as health-crisis and disaster responses, worldwide. In 2024, grants ranged from $2 to $4 million, with a median of $200. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
The Verizon Foundation funds digital inclusion, climate protection, human prosperity, K–12 literacy and STEM, and domestic violence education and prevention, with an emphasis on underserved and diverse communities. It gives nationally, with priority in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, and also supports work in India and Israel; 2024 grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a $500 median. It does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
More Funders in New York
Hope for Depression Research Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?