NAMI California
NAMI California is a grassroots mental health nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1977, the organization is composed of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. NAMI California operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with 54 employees and serves as a statewide advocacy and support organization representing 71 local affiliates and approximately 19,000 people to the California Legislature and Governor on mental illness issues.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.8M
+17.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.2M
+199.9% YoY
Grant Count
20
+25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$360K
+139.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: NAMI California is a grassroots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. The organization advocates for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, for all constituents. It provides leadership in advocacy, legislation, policy development, education and support throughout California.
Vision: NAMI California is the leading organization of individuals working with mutual respect to provide help, hope and health for those affected by serious mental illness.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Mental health advocacy and legislative policy development
- Education for families, professionals, and the public about serious mental illnesses as neurobiological brain disorders
- Support for local grassroots affiliate organizations
- Criminal justice programs, including Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to improve outcomes between law enforcement and individuals with mental health needs
- Inmate rehabilitation and re-entry programs linking offenders to community-based rehabilitation services and mental health care
- Community collaboration and cultural competence initiatives
- Programs supporting the California Mental Health Services Act values
- Services for children, transition age youth, adults, and older adults
- Wellness, recovery, and resilience initiatives
- Stigma eradication efforts
Grantmaking
NAMI California functions as both a recipient and a grantmaker. The organization distributes grants to support mental health initiatives throughout California.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NAMI California operates statewide throughout California, supporting 71 local affiliates across the state and representing constituents to the California Legislature and Governor.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total assets: $8,848,037
- Total revenues: $11,476,041
- Total expenses: $10,407,544
- Total giving: $7,242,684
- Number of employees: 54
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,848,037 | $7,528,723 | $4,082,312 |
| Revenue | $11,476,041 | $6,928,885 | $6,153,087 |
| Expenses | $10,407,544 | $4,688,818 | $5,743,213 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $158,728 | $66,214 | $57,375 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mhacc ($2,783,191), NAMI San Diego ($967,191), NAMI Orange County ($670,780).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MHACC Castro Valley, CA | Coordination/Training/Counseling | $2,783,191 |
| NAMI Alameda Oakland, CA | — | $7,875 |
| NAMI Contra Costa Concord, CA | — | $107,316 |
| NAMI El Dorado Co El Dorado, CA | — | $20,000 |
| NAMI Fresno County Fresno, CA | Coordination/Training/Counseling | $134,442 |
| NAMI Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | — | $399,335 |
| NAMI Kern County Bakersfield, CA | Coordination/Training | $28,831 |
| NAMI Mt San Jacinto San Jacinto, CA | Coordination/Training | $35,653 |
| NAMI Orange County Lake Forest, CA | Coordination/Training/Counseling | $670,780 |
| NAMI Sacramento Sacramento, CA | Coordination/Training | $305,061 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jessica Cruz - Principal Officer
- Eugenia Cervantes - Operations Manager, Fundraising Contact
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Cruz MPAHS | CEO | 40 | $235,469 |
| Steven Kite | COO | 40 | $170,757 |
| Joe Farrow | President | 4 | — |
| Lupe Alonzo-Diaz | 1st VP | 4 | — |
| Christina Roup | 2nd VP | 4 | — |
| Robert McCarron | Secretary | 4 | — |
| Stuart Buttlaire | Treasurer | 4 | — |
| Erik Nasarenko | Director | 4 | — |
| Thomas Okamoto | Director | 4 | — |
| Andrew Bertagnolli | Director | 4 | — |
| Gary Tsai | Director | 4 | — |
| Veronica Kelly | Director | 4 | — |
| Anita Fisher | Director | 4 | — |
| Lara Gregorio | Director | 4 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
NAMI California has received significant grant support to expand mental health services and programs. Kaiser Permanente provided a grant to help NAMI California increase access to local mental health services and programs across the state.
Grant to mental health alliance helps grow California services, programsThe organization maintains an active legislative advocacy presence, ensuring consumer voices are heard and focused on mental health policy legislation in California.
Grant to mental health alliance helps grow California services, programsFrequently Asked Questions
What does NAMI California fund?
**Mission:** NAMI California is a grassroots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. The organization advocates for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, for all constituents. It provides leadership in advocacy, legislation, policy development, education and support throughout California. **Vision:** NAMI California is the leading organization of individuals working with mutual respect to provide help, hope an…
How do I apply for a grant from NAMI California?
NAMI California functions as both a recipient and a grantmaker. The organization distributes grants to support mental health initiatives throughout California. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $7,242,684 (based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing for 2024) • Typical award range: $5,500–$2,783,191 • Primary funding focus areas: Human Services, Health Care, and Mental Health & Crisis Intervention **Grantee Support:** NAMI California provides coordination and training grants to local affiliates.…
Where does NAMI California make grants?
NAMI California operates statewide throughout California, supporting 71 local affiliates across the state and representing constituents to the California Legislature and Governor.
What size grants does NAMI California award?
In 2024, NAMI California awarded 20 grants totaling $7.2M — an average of about $360K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is NAMI California's EIN?
NAMI California's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2676057. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in NAMI California's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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