The Foundation of Hope

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The Foundation of Hope

The Foundation of Hope For Research and Treatment of Mental Illness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

The Foundation of Hope strives to promote scientific research aimed at discovering the causes of, treatments for, and prevention of, mental illness.

06/19/2026

What if the sounds most of us tune out never faded into the background?

For many individuals with autism-related disorders, everyday sounds like traffic, ventilation, or a crowded room can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to focus on important sounds like speech.

Because of supporters like you, the Foundation of Hope is proud to fund a $109,932 UNC Psychiatry study led by Dr. Hiroyuki Kato exploring how the brain learns to filter out irrelevant background noise — and why this process may be disrupted in autism-related disorders.

This research will help scientists better understand the brain circuits that support sound filtering and identify potential targets for future interventions.

Research like this brings us closer to greater understanding, better care, and renewed hope for individuals and families affected by autism-related disorders.

Learn more: https://walkforhope.com/kato-2026/

06/16/2026

Today, we’re excited to share the fourth of 12 new research grants approved by the Foundation of Hope in 2026.

This $200,000 grant will support Dr. Gabriel Dichter and Dr. Melissa Walsh at UNC Psychiatry for their study, “Clinical Profiles and Biological Mechanisms of Older Autistic Adults.”

Although autism is a lifelong condition, very little research has focused on older autistic adults. This project will explore the connection between autism and parkinsonism symptoms in older adulthood, helping researchers better understand the clinical profiles, biological mechanisms, and care needs of this often-overlooked population.

Research like this helps open new doors to better understanding, better care, and future treatment for individuals and families navigating mental illness — and it is only possible because of your generosity.

Learn more about this important research:
https://walkforhope.com/dichter-walsh-2026/

06/12/2026

A glimpse behind the scenes as we begin work on a special video project coming this September.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of capturing stories that remind us why the Foundation of Hope’s mission matters so deeply. These stories help shine a light on the life-changing power of mental illness research and the hope it makes possible.

Stay tuned!

06/08/2026

Give Dad a lasting place in the Walkway of Hope.

This Father’s Day, honor or remember a father in your life with a personalized brick at the Pavilion at the Angus Barn.

For $150, your engraved brick becomes a permanent tribute in one of Raleigh’s most beloved settings, while also supporting the Foundation of Hope’s mission to advance the research and treatment of mental illness.

Order by Friday, June 19 at 2 PM to receive an emailed Father’s Day certificate before Father’s Day. Printed certificates will be mailed afterward.

Dedicate a brick today:
https://my.walkforhope.com/forms/walkway-of-hope

06/04/2026

Wow! Young leaders in our community just keep raising the bar for mental illness research.

Yesterday, the team from Debut Sports stopped by the Foundation of Hope office to deliver an incredible $10,600 donation raised during their second-ever live charity stream.

Debut Sports, based out of Apex, is an online sports card streaming community, and for this event, they chose the Foundation of Hope as the beneficiary. During the stream, they auctioned off four sports cards and one signed Tom Brady Super Bowl photo, with 100% of the auction proceeds donated to the Foundation. Their community also contributed more than $2,000 in tips.

This kind of generosity is inspiring.

Earlier this week, we celebrated a $10,500 gift from Sigma Pi’s Break the Silence 5K. Now, just days later, another group of young leaders has stepped forward to support the urgent need for mental illness research.

These young people are using their platforms, their communities, and their creativity to make a real difference.

To the Debut Sports team and everyone who supported the stream, thank you. Your generosity helps fund research that is creating brighter, healthier futures for families affected by mental illness.

The next generation is not waiting to make an impact. They are already doing it!

06/02/2026

Sigma Pi showed up in a BIG way.

Last week, Matthew stopped by the Foundation of Hope office to hand-deliver a $10,500 check from Sigma Pi's Break the Silence 5K, held this April.

Now in their third year supporting the Foundation of Hope, this is the largest gift Sigma Pi has ever brought to us, and we could not be more grateful or impressed.

These young men are doing more than hosting a race. They are taking a stand for mental health, rallying their community, and helping fund life-changing mental illness research.

Way to go, Sigma Pi RHO Chapter. You crushed it!

Thank you for helping break the silence and shining a light on the urgent need for mental illness research.

Sigma Pi Fraternity NC State University

06/01/2026

Congratulations to our Hope in Action hat giveaway winners, Robert Walden and Brooke Greenley!

Thanks to 66 generous gifts, we are more than $6,400 closer to funding a brilliant new seed grant. And we’ve shined a light on mental illness, showing millions in the shadows that they are not alone. And it’s all because of YOU, our special partners and friends, who make it possible.

Thank you to everyone who gave, shared, and helped raise awareness for mental illness research throughout May.

05/29/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month ends in just a few days, but the need for mental illness research continues.

As we announced earlier this month, the Foundation of Hope approved 12 new research grants totaling more than $1.5 million, supporting researchers working to advance understanding, improve treatment, and bring new hope to families affected by mental illness.

One of those studies, led by Dr. Benjamin Buck at UNC-Chapel Hill, explores how young adults at elevated risk for psychosis are using AI tools for mental health support, and how those interactions may affect symptoms over time.

This is the kind of urgent, forward-looking research your support helps make possible.

Before May ends, a $31 gift, one dollar for each day of Mental Health Awareness Month, helps put Hope in Action and support the next promising idea in mental illness research.

And remember, every $31 gift through May 31 also enters you into our limited-edition Foundation of Hope hat drawing!

Give today: https://www.walkforhope.com/hopeinaction
Learn more about Dr. Buck's new study: https://walkforhope.com/buck-2026/

05/26/2026

A “time machine” for preventing addiction?

At the frontier of neuroscience, brain imaging, and AI, a new study funded by the Foundation of Hope is building what the research team describes as a “computational time-machine.”

Led by Dr. Tingting Dan at UNC Psychiatry, this project uses AI-driven brain modeling to study brain development in reverse, tracing adult brain patterns linked to substance use disorder back to earlier stages of life where risk may first begin to take shape.

The goal is to better understand the hidden origins of addiction, identify early signs of risk, and move the field closer to proactive, precision-based prevention.

This is the kind of bold, cutting-edge research the Foundation of Hope exists to fund, all thanks to YOUR support.

And this is why Hope in Action matters.

With just a few days left in Mental Health Awareness Month, your $31 gift helps move us closer to funding the next promising research grant.

And we’re keeping the hat drawing going through the final stretch: every $31 gift made through May 31 gives you one entry into a drawing for a limited-edition Foundation of Hope hat.

Together, let’s finish strong!

Give $31 today: https://www.walkforhope.com/hopeinaction

05/22/2026

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday.

Hope in Action continues through the end of May, and we are still working to fund one more bold idea in mental illness research.

If you feel moved to give, a $31 gift for the 31 days of May helps support urgent, early-stage research that can bring hope to families facing mental illness across North Carolina.

As a small thank-you, all $31 gifts made over the long weekend will be entered into a drawing for one of our limited-edition Foundation of Hope hats. Winners will be announced Tuesday.

Learn more about Hope in Action and make a gift:
https://www.walkforhope.com/hopeinaction

Address

3108 Glen Royal Road
Raleigh, NC
27617

Telephone

+19197819255

Website

http://www.walkforhope.com/, https://linktr.ee/foundationofhopenc

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