Mental Research Institute
The Mental Research Institute (MRI) is a private foundation based in Menlo Park, California. It supports research and programs using interactional, systemic approaches to understanding and improving human relationships.
Mental Research Institute at a glance
In short: Mental Research Institute gave $560K across 33 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), top state Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $560,280
- +35.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 33
- +73.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,978
- -22.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $11,256,580
- +6.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Mental Research Institute
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
MRI’s website describes a rolling, two-phase application process, but its 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 671 Oak Grove Ave Suite H, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone: (650) 321-3055
Website: https://mri.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mental Research Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Denver ($54K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $284K.
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 86 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MRI’s 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, the leading recipient states were Colorado (13%), Pennsylvania (10%), North Carolina (9%), California (9%), and Georgia (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Mental Research Institute gives
- 7% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 90% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $149K (2023) to $560K (2025). In 2025 it made 33 grants totaling $560K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Neural Synchrony During Emtional Interactions as P | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA | Exploring Relational Impacts Student-Designed Mind | $25,000 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Systemic Child Anxiety Intervention on Family Func | $25,000 |
| University of North Carolina at GRE Greensboro, NC | Centering Youth Voices Humanizng Mental Health | $25,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Understanding How Interpersonal Relationships and | $25,000 |
| New York University- Metropolitan C New York, NY | Emotion Regulation and Psychological Well-Being | $25,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Foundat Newton Center, MA | Dyadic Processes Underlying Loneliness and Risk of | $25,000 |
| Seattle University Seattle, WA | Daily Emotion Regulation Strategies and Depression | $25,000 |
| Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA | Cueing Parents to Reframe Negative Emotions for TH | $25,000 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | Fostering the Compassionate Mind Implementing Comp | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Mental Research Institute?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,256,580 | $537,330 | $799,235 | $560,280 | 33 | $741,441 | $474,932 | $514,883 |
| 2024 | $10,584,159 | $557,568 | $576,212 | $414,550 | 19 | $535,400 | $515,770 | $387,187 |
| 2023 | $9,650,040 | $278,471 | $317,986 | $149,060 | 7 | $276,934 | $266,707 | $468,079 |
| 2022 | $10,494,210 | $479,370 | $486,117 | $294,690 | 13 | $454,609 | $362,861 | $529,846 |
| 2021 | $10,526,099 | $159,472 | $433,174 | $258,060 | 14 | — | $104,826 | $470,633 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mental Research Institute reported a distributable amount of $515K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MRI’s mission is “to explore and support the development of innovative interactional, systemic approaches to understanding and improving human relationships.” It says it welcomes applications from groups or individuals seeking to investigate processes that advance psychology, social systems, and interactional approaches. It also encourages collaboration among social science researchers and practitioners and supports research-based virtual and in-person platforms and programs.
Its 2025 grants included projects on emotion regulation, anxiety, loneliness, family functioning, resilience, and relationships. Recipients included universities and colleges. For example, Northwestern University describes its mission as excellent teaching, innovative research, and student growth in a diverse academic community; Seattle University says it is dedicated to educating the whole person and empowering leaders for a just and humane world.
Grantmaking
In 2025, MRI reported 33 grants totaling $560,280. Grants ranged from $4,500 to $25,000, with a median of $20,000. Its largest listed 2025 awards included $25,000 each to Northwestern University for research on neural synchrony during emotional interactions; Pennsylvania State University for work on student-designed mental health initiatives; Yale University for a systemic child-anxiety intervention; and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for work centering youth voices in mental health.
MRI’s website describes a two-phase application process: an initial application, followed—if invited—by a detailed research proposal, budget, and timeline. It says applications are accepted on a rolling basis, that Phase 1 review usually takes four weeks, and that applicants are informed of a Phase 2 decision within two weeks of the review date. Applicants must be employed by a 501(c)(3) organization or have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor, and cannot have had a proposal declined within the prior 12 months. MRI says awards may be up to $25,000, depending on grant type, available funds, and project scope. Separately, the foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary Ann Norfleet as president, Sophie Suberville as executive director, Peggy Bradshaw as treasurer, Patrick Whalen as secretary, and Kathryn DeWitt as a board member.
Mental Research Institute is led by Sophie Suberville, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sophie Suberville
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$61K (2021) → $85K (2025)
Mary Ann Norfleet
President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Whalen
Secretary
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Bradshaw
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Dewitt
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Reed Lestinger (2022–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Bruce Neben (2023–2024) — Boasrd Member
- Former: Claire De Maistre (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Arthur Bodin (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Reed Letstnger (2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $85K, to Sophie Suberville (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Mental Research Institute
How much does Mental Research Institute give each year?
Mental Research Institute gave $560K across 33 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $415K across 19 grants.
What is Mental Research Institute's typical grant size?
Mental Research Institute's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $16,978, across 33 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Mental Research Institute give grants?
Mental Research Institute's top state is Colorado, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (10%) and North Carolina (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (4 grants) and Athens, GA (2 grants).
Does Mental Research Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Mental Research Institute's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mental Research Institute's largest grantees?
Mental Research Institute's largest 2025 grantees include University of Denver ($54,336 across 3 grants), University of Georgia ($29,500 across 2 grants) and Northwestern University ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mental Research Institute?
Mental Research Institute reported $11.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $741K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $515K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Mental Research Institute fund?
MRI’s mission is “to explore and support the development of innovative interactional, systemic approaches to understanding and improving human relationships.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mental Research Institute?
MRI’s website describes a rolling, two-phase application process, but its 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mental Research Institute's EIN?
Mental Research Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1585914. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Mental Research Institute accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mental Research Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Grant Thornton Foundation
Chicago, IL
In 2024, the Grant Thornton Foundation funded general support, educational institutions, and disaster relief, awarding 10 grants of $1,575 to $41,450 (median $19,060). It is based in Chicago, with 2024 grants concentrated in California, Arizona, and Florida. The foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$224K
Grants
10
Total Given
$181K
American Chemical Society
Washington, DC
The American Chemical Society funds chemistry research, education, scholarships, fellowships, student activities, and related projects through programs for researchers, institutions, educators, students, and ACS groups. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,200 to $504,691, with a median of $31,252; funding supports U.S. and international research, though some programs are limited to U.S.-based applicants. The profile does not state whether ACS accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
341
Total Given
$22.4M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mental Research Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mental-research-institute-morg_00d60169744845ee8b80af4baba45c4b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_941585914_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mental Research Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mental-research-institute-morg_00d60169744845ee8b80af4baba45c4b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Mental Research Institute's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Mental Research Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?