Sozosei Foundation Inc
Sozosei Foundation Inc is a corporate foundation established in 2019 as the philanthropic arm of Otsuka. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, the Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since April 2020. The name "Sozosei" means "creativity" in Japanese, reflecting the Foundation's Japanese heritage and commitment to innovative problem-solving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.3M
+32.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
-44.8% YoY
Grant Count
34
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$81K
-44.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sozosei Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $187K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's primary mission is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. The Foundation focuses on decriminalizing mental illness and supporting resilient communities.
The Foundation's philanthropic approach is guided by three core principles:
- Community-driven: ensuring programs and policies are developed by and for the people they seek to support
- Original: taking an innovative and data-driven approach toward problem solving
- Sustainable: cultivating the circumstances and motivation necessary for long-term, self-supported success
The Foundation is guided by the Japanese spirit of "Jissho," or "proof through execution," employing unique assets and skills to contribute to building healthier communities.
Grantmaking
The Foundation makes grants to organizations working on decriminalization of mental illness and related initiatives. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
of approximately $81,000
Average Grant
of approximately $81,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on New York, the District of Columbia, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 (Most Recent)
- Total Assets: $8,312,519
- Total Revenue: $8,163,451
- Total Expenses: $5,569,489
- Annual Giving: $2,762,415
- Net Investment Income: $161,056
2023
- Total Assets: $6,268,958
- Total Revenue: $6,426,532
- Total Expenses: $6,828,967
- Qualifying Distributions: $6,424,434
2022
- Total Assets: $6,470,793
- Total Revenue: $5,056,566
- Total Expenses: $12,528,552
- Qualifying Distributions: $12,837,379
The Foundation has one employee as of 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,312,519 | $6,268,958 | $6,470,793 |
| Revenue | $8,163,451 | $6,426,532 | $5,056,566 |
| Expenses | $5,569,489 | $6,828,967 | $12,528,552 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,913,496 | $6,424,434 | $12,837,379 |
| Net Investment Income | $161,056 | $226,532 | $52,698 |
| Distributable Amount | $186,551 | $249,803 | $471,939 |
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
186 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Wisconsin ($200,000), One Million Madly Motivated Moms ($125,000), 1 Million Madly Motivated Moms Inc ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 MILLION MADLY MOTIVATED MOMS INC LAS VEGAS, NV | FOR THE RIGHT RESPONSE | $100,000 |
| ADVOCATE PROGRAM INC MIAMI, FL | WAYFINDER - DECRIMINALIZING MENTAL ILLNESS | $100,000 |
| ADVOCATE PROGRAM INC MIAMI, FL | MIAMI JAIL DIVERSION PROJECT - DECRIMINALIZING MENTAL ILLNESS | $75,000 |
| AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY FELLOWS PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| CAMDEN COALITION OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS CAMDEN, NJ | MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP | $100,000 |
| CHILDREN'S RIGHTS NEW YORK, NY | LITIGATION TO DECRIMINALIZE MENTAL ILLNESS | $100,000 |
| DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE NEW YORK, NY | TO BUILD AN INTERSECTIONAL MOVEMENT TO DECRIMINALIZE MENTAL ILLNESS | $100,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY INC HAZARD, KY | TO DECRIMINALIZE MENTAL ILLNESS IN KENTUCKY | $100,000 |
| GEORGETOWN LAW CENTER FOR INNOVATIONS IN COMMUNITY SAFETY WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE RIGHT RESPONSE DIRECTORY | $50,000 |
| GREENBURGER CENTER FOR SOCIAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE NEW YORK CITY, NY | TO DECRIMINALIZE MENTAL ILLNESS | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Melissa M. Beck, Esq. serves as Executive Director.
Altha J. Stewart, MD was appointed to the Board of Directors in December 2024. Dr. Stewart is a nationally recognized leader in psychiatry and management of public mental health systems, with extensive experience in public and mental health advocacy and addressing health disparities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM CARSON MD | CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTOR | 20 | $125,000 |
| KENITA BARROW | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JAMES SAUER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MARY MICHAEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MELISSA BECK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| TAREK RABAH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR ALTHA STEWART | DIRECTOR - AS OF OCTOBER 2024 | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2025**: The Sozosei Foundation announced a grant to Georgetown Law's Center for Innovations in Community Safety to catalyze a partnership with 1 Million Madly Motivated Moms to further develop the functionality of The Right Response directory.
The Sozosei Foundation Announces New Grants to Decriminalize Mental Illness**December 2024**: Altha J. Stewart, MD, a nationally recognized leader in psychiatry and public mental health systems, was appointed to the Foundation's Board of Directors.
**June 2024**: The Foundation announced Spring 2024 grantee partners, awarding $2,169,000 to 36 organizations to increase access to mental healthcare and end the inappropriate use of the carceral system as treatment for mental illness.
The Sozosei Foundation Announces New Grants to Decriminalize Mental Illness**2024**: The Foundation published newsletters addressing organizational values including curiosity, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.
**2021**: The Foundation conducted a Global Solution Lab, convening over 50 multidisciplinary experts to identify top solutions for advancing the decriminalization of mental illness.
The Sozosei Foundation Announces New Grants to Decriminalize Mental IllnessSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sozosei Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's primary mission is to increase access to mental healthcare in order to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the United States. The Foundation focuses on decriminalizing mental illness and supporting resilient communities. The Foundation's philanthropic approach is guided by three core principles: 1. **Community-driven**: ensuring programs and policies are developed by and for the people they seek to support 2.…
How do I apply for a grant from Sozosei Foundation Inc?
The Foundation makes grants to organizations working on decriminalization of mental illness and related initiatives. Recent grant activity includes: • **Spring 2024**: Awarded $2,169,000 to 36 organizations • **2023**: Made 61 grants totaling approximately $4,055,000 (with individual grants ranging from $300,000 to smaller amounts) • **2024**: Made 34 grants with an average grant size of approximately $81,000 Notable 2023 grantees included Children's Rights Inc, Meadows Mental Health Policy Ins…
Where does Sozosei Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on New York, the District of Columbia, and California.
What size grants does Sozosei Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Sozosei Foundation Inc awarded 34 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $81K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sozosei Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sozosei Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $187K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sozosei Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sozosei Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3915935. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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