Foundations
Here's a look at documents from U.S. foundations
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Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: New Targeted Ovarian Cancer Treatment Available for NHS Patients for the First Time in Over 20 Years
LONDON, England, June 6 -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news:
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New targeted ovarian cancer treatment available for NHS patients for the first time in over 20 years
The NICE recommendation is based on findings from the international Phase III MIRASOL trial, which was led in the UK by The Royal Marsden.
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A team of Royal Marsden researchers have welcomed the news that a new life-extending targeted treatment for women with folate receptor-alpha (FRa)-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer will be available to eligible NHS patients in
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LONDON, England, June 6 -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news:
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New targeted ovarian cancer treatment available for NHS patients for the first time in over 20 years
The NICE recommendation is based on findings from the international Phase III MIRASOL trial, which was led in the UK by The Royal Marsden.
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A team of Royal Marsden researchers have welcomed the news that a new life-extending targeted treatment for women with folate receptor-alpha (FRa)-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer will be available to eligible NHS patients inEngland for the first time in more than 20 years.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended mirvetuximab soravtansine as a treatment option for eligible adults with FRa-positive, platinum-resistant, high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three previous lines of systemic treatment.
The life-extending ovarian cancer drug delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells
Mirvetuximab soravtansine is a targeted antibody-drug conjugate that identifies cancer cells expressing high levels of folate receptor-alpha and delivers chemotherapy directly to them.
The NICE recommendation is based on findings from the international Phase III MIRASOL trial, which evaluated the effectiveness and safety of mirvetuximab soravtansine in patients with FRa-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Professor Susana Banerjee, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Professor in Women's Cancers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, was the UK lead investigator for the study.
The MIRASOL trial demonstrated that patients receiving mirvetuximab soravtansine lived significantly longer without their cancer progressing and experienced improved overall survival compared with those receiving standard chemotherapy. The findings represent the first time in more than two decades that a treatment has shown a significant improvement in both progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with FRa-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
The NICE recommendation marks a significant step forward for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC), a disease associated with limited treatment options and poor outcomes.
PROC develops when ovarian cancer returns or progresses within six months of completing platinum-based chemotherapy. It is estimated that up to 70 per cent of patients will eventually develop platinum-resistant disease, which is associated with a median overall survival of around one year.
An important milestone in the treatment of ovarian cancer
"NICE's recommendation of mirvetuximab soravtansine is an important milestone, helping to ensure eligible women with FRa-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer can access this therapy," said Professor Susana Banerjee.
"For the first time in over twenty years, this new treatment offers the potential to extend survival where effective options have been limited.
"Mirvetuximab soravtansine is designed to target and help kill cancer cells expressing high levels of a biomarker called folate receptor. Having access to novel treatments such as mirvetuximab soravtansine is vital, offering patients more options where few have existed and supporting a more tailored approach to care for ovarian cancer patients."
The recommendation will provide a much-needed new treatment option for women living with one of the most challenging forms of ovarian cancer, helping to improve outcomes and offering renewed hope to patients and their families.
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Original text here: https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/new-targeted-ovarian-cancer-treatment-available-nhs-patients-first-time-over
Georgia Public Policy Foundation Issues Commentary: Reporting Gap in School Choice
ATLANTA, Georgia, June 6 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation posted the following commentary on June 4, 2026, by policy analyst J. Thomas Perdue:
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The Reporting Gap in School Choice
Over the last decade and change, the push to give students and families access to educational options that better fit their needs has grown from a once-marginal reform effort into a defining issue in education policy.
Year after year, in state after state, lawmakers are creating new school choice programs and families are filling up waitlists to participate. Some states have made eligibility universal
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, June 6 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation posted the following commentary on June 4, 2026, by policy analyst J. Thomas Perdue:
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The Reporting Gap in School Choice
Over the last decade and change, the push to give students and families access to educational options that better fit their needs has grown from a once-marginal reform effort into a defining issue in education policy.
Year after year, in state after state, lawmakers are creating new school choice programs and families are filling up waitlists to participate. Some states have made eligibility universaland removed caps limiting the number of participating students in response to their popularity. In those states, the political fight has shifted from whether such a program should exist to how it should be maintained and expanded.
We hear a lot about how the supply of options in states like Georgia is not meeting demand. Demand for school choice and universal eligibility is obviously an important signal that families value the flexibility that such programs offer. However, demand is only the first indicator, and it does not demonstrate success on its own. A popular program should still be able to demonstrate measurable outcomes, student success and competent administration.
Relatively speaking, education scholarship accounts (ESAs) and similar programs are still new, so it's understandable that data are sometimes scarce and inconsistently collected across the country. Voucher and tax-credit scholarship programs can offer useful evidence as well, especially when they have existed long enough to produce longer-term results. So, ideally, what outcomes should be tracked?
States should want to know whether students are progressing in their learning over time, whether they remain in the program and whether participation is translating into longer-run attainment such as college enrollment or persistence.
For one, states should report as many metrics of student learning as possible, including nationally norm-referenced tests that allow for comparisons between students using school choice options and students in traditional public schools..
The Florida Empowerment Scholarship (FES) is an example of a large program that tracks such data. It reports reading and math performance and notes that participating students generally maintained their relative national standing, while also advising caution because public school and FES students often take different tests. This is a challenge, but not an excuse for opacity. States can still report these findings and strengthen their utility by linking them to other, long-run outcomes.
Long-run achievement, including college enrollment, college persistence, graduation and SAT/ACT performance, is indeed a more valuable and durable reporting opportunity. These metrics avoid some of the comparison issues that come with mixed school sectors. Florida also offers some evidence in this category through another of its school choice options. An Urban Institute study of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship found that participating students were more likely to enroll in and graduate from college than comparable public-school peers and found that this effect grew with additional years of scholarship participation. A 2024 study by the RAND corporation noted that Florida and Arizona have built large enough programs to support research into these kinds of outcomes.
Another metric worth tracking is whether students are staying in their program year after year. Arkansas's recent annual report is useful here because it reports both student performance snapshots and a continuation rate into the next year.This metric is closer in concept to demand than academic impact, but it does show whether families believe a given option is working for them after they've already had experience with it.
Beyond comparing students across school choice options and traditional public schools, states should report outcomes on subgroups, and whether outcomes differ for low-income students, students with disabilities, prior public-school students and students already in private education before joining.
If school choice advocates want these programs to last, they should demand better outcome reporting. The current state of scattered outcome reporting across the country is not sufficient to judge the success of universal eligibility, but there are a number of valuable pieces already available.
Universal eligibility is becoming more common because families clearly want more educational options. But popularity alone is not enough to sustain a reform over time. If these programs are going to remain politically durable and continue expanding, states need to show more than high demand or long waitlists. They need to show that students are learning, that families are finding better fits and that longer-run outcomes are improving. Some states are beginning to point the way, but as more outcomes data become available, the standard of reporting must rise nationwide.
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Original text here: https://www.georgiapolicy.org/news/the-reporting-gap-in-school-choice/
The Great American AI Act Seeks Good Governance, but Must Get the Details Right, Says Center for Data Innovation
WASHINGTON, June 5 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
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The Great American AI Act Seeks Good Governance, but Must Get the Details Right, Says Center for Data Innovation
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WASHINGTON-Following the release of Reps. Jay Obernolte and Lori Trahan's discussion draft of the Great American AI Act, the Center for Data Innovation released the following statement from Associate Director of AI Policy Michelle Lopes Maldonado:
The Great American AI Act is one of the most serious federal attempts yet to establish
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, June 5 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
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The Great American AI Act Seeks Good Governance, but Must Get the Details Right, Says Center for Data Innovation
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WASHINGTON-Following the release of Reps. Jay Obernolte and Lori Trahan's discussion draft of the Great American AI Act, the Center for Data Innovation released the following statement from Associate Director of AI Policy Michelle Lopes Maldonado:
The Great American AI Act is one of the most serious federal attempts yet to establisha coherent national AI framework. The bill's core architecture moves in the right direction: transparency requirements for the most powerful AI systems, independent auditing through licensed verifiers, and a federal standard that prevents conflicting mandates from fragmenting the national AI ecosystem. These are the right building blocks.
The discussion draft correctly recognizes that AI policy is about more than regulation. It's also about investments in standards development, cybersecurity, research, infrastructure, and workforce readiness, all of which are essential to ensuring the United States remains the global leader in AI.
However, getting the structure of AI governance right won't be enough if Congress doesn't get the details right. To do this, bill sponsors should use the discussion draft period to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of independent reviews, establish a dynamic compute threshold mechanism that keeps pace with evolving frontier thresholds, ensure language on preemption scope and duration factors state concerns while enabling innovation, and add transparency obligations that reflect AI's full footprint, not just its most dramatic failure modes.
Done right, the Great American AI Act can be exactly what its name implies: a framework that keeps the United States at the frontier of AI development and governance alike.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, press@datainnovation.org
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Original text here: https://itif.org/publications/publications/2026/06/05/the-great-american-ai-act-seeks-good-governance-but-must-get-the-details-right/
Reason Foundation Issues Commentary: Georgia Finally Gets Licensing Reform Across the Finish Line
LOS ANGELES, California, June 5 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by Sephria Reynolds-Tanner, criminal justice and drug policy analyst:
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Georgia finally gets licensing reform across the finish line
Senate Bill 207 gives people with criminal records a real path to obtaining occupational licenses and a model for other states to follow.
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Georgia citizens with criminal records will see expanded opportunities to find employment and rejoin productive society thanks to a new bill signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 12.
Senate Bill (SB) 207 makes some significant
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, June 5 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by Sephria Reynolds-Tanner, criminal justice and drug policy analyst:
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Georgia finally gets licensing reform across the finish line
Senate Bill 207 gives people with criminal records a real path to obtaining occupational licenses and a model for other states to follow.
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Georgia citizens with criminal records will see expanded opportunities to find employment and rejoin productive society thanks to a new bill signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 12.
Senate Bill (SB) 207 makes some significantreforms to the state's occupational licensing laws and will require, among other things, that officials prove a direct relationship between a person's criminal history and the line of work they're pursuing before they can deny them a license.
An occupational license is a government-issued state credential that many workers must obtain before they can legally work in fields ranging from cosmetology to contracting. In Georgia, more than one in five jobs requires an occupational license, including one in four of the state's high-demand jobs. Georgia already has a shortage of workers in licensed fields like healthcare and childcare, with 65,000 licensed positions sitting unfilled today and projections showing that number could triple as the current workforce retires.
At the same time, these jobs are going unfilled, and some Georgia citizens are getting rejected from opportunities to get these occupational licenses due to criminal backgrounds that do not necessarily correlate with any actual risks of misconduct on the job.
There are, of course, some cases where there is a legitimate public safety interest that justifies denying licensure to individuals. A conviction for elder abuse should disqualify an individual from working in a nursing home or caretaking role, and someone with a fraud conviction should not be managing other people's money.
But beyond those direct connections, individuals who find stable, gainful employment are less likely to reoffend. Research finds that employment stability reduces recidivism regardless of prior work history or criminal background.
Georgia has been working for years to reduce these barriers. In 2021, Georgia passed Senate Bill 114, which barred licensing boards from denying licensure to applicants under community supervision. But boards still retained broad discretion to deny licenses under vague "moral turpitude" standards with no requirement to show the conviction was related to the occupation sought.
Additionally, Georgia law did not allow prospective applicants to determine in advance whether their convictions would disqualify them before investing in the training, education, and fees required for licensure. After several failed attempts at reform in recent years, the passage of SB 207 finally gives qualified Georgians with a criminal record a pathway to licensed careers.
SB 207 removes "moral turpitude" as a basis for denial and requires the board to demonstrate a "direct relationship" between a conviction and the license sought. A conviction is disqualifying only if it directly relates to the duties of the occupation. Boards must make that distinction explicitly and document it. The new law also:
* Creates a predetermination petition process allowing individuals to seek an early eligibility ruling, even while still incarcerated or before completing education and training requirements or paying application fees.
* Entitles applicants to a hearing if the board denies a license. The board must issue written findings signed and retained for at least five years, in addition to explaining the denial and noting the applicant's right to appeal.
* Requires licensing boards to weigh evidence of rehabilitation based on sentence completion, treatment, education, employment history, and family/community responsibilities.
* Prohibits boards from considering sealed, pardoned, or annulled convictions, deferred adjudications, discharged first offender treatment, or misdemeanor convictions more than five years old in most circumstances.
Reason Foundation contributed research and policy analysis throughout the legislative process. State Sen. Brian Strickland (R-42nd District) celebrated SB 207's passage in a Facebook video, noting, "This has been a several-year effort to make certain that we have a clear process for those with criminal records in our state, they know exactly what to expect when it comes to getting occupational licenses, and help people get out of the system and get a job and support their families. This is a great bill for all of Georgia and all Georgia citizens."
For the 4.5 million Georgians carrying a criminal record, SB 207 is a positive step forward for successful reentry and reduced recidivism in Georgia.
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Sephria Reynolds-Tanner is a criminal justice and drug policy analyst at Reason Foundation.
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Original text here: https://reason.org/commentary/georgia-finally-gets-licensing-reform-across-the-finish-line/
Hispanic Access Foundation Connects Local Leaders to Strengthen Community Health and Wellness Networks
WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
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Hispanic Access Foundation Connects Local Leaders to Strengthen Community Health and Wellness Networks
Hispanic Access Foundation is strengthening community health and wellness by equipping trusted local leaders with the tools, training, and networks needed to improve quality of life. Through initiatives focused on mental health, faith communities, urban forestry, and wellness nationwide, the organization is helping communities build healthier, more resilient futures.
"Our health initiatives are rooted
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WASHINGTON, June 5 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
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Hispanic Access Foundation Connects Local Leaders to Strengthen Community Health and Wellness Networks
Hispanic Access Foundation is strengthening community health and wellness by equipping trusted local leaders with the tools, training, and networks needed to improve quality of life. Through initiatives focused on mental health, faith communities, urban forestry, and wellness nationwide, the organization is helping communities build healthier, more resilient futures.
"Our health initiatives are rootedin the understanding that wellness extends beyond healthcare--it includes mental and emotional well-being, strong community connections, and healthy environments," said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "By connecting local leaders with resources and opportunities, we help communities build lasting solutions that improve overall well-being."
One example is Iglesias Sanas, Comunidades Sanas (Healthy Churches, Healthy Communities), a cornerstone of Hispanic Access Foundation's Leadership Institute. The initiative equips faith and community leaders with the knowledge, resources, and networks needed to advance health and wellness in the communities they serve.
Recently, Hispanic Access Foundation convened a cohort gathering in Puerto Rico, bringing together leaders from across the country to share successes, strengthen collaboration, and identify new opportunities to expand access to critical health resources.
Mental health remains a key focus of the program. To date, 60 faith leaders have completed Mental Health First Aid training, enabling them to recognize signs of mental health challenges, provide initial support, and connect individuals with professional care. By empowering trusted community leaders, the program helps reduce stigma and create supportive spaces where people feel comfortable seeking help.
Through leadership development and community partnerships, Iglesias Sanas continues to expand access to health information, mental health resources, and wellness support nationwide.
Hispanic Access Foundation is also advancing wellness through its urban forestry initiative. One of the subgrantees through the program, Bosque Comunitario de la Fe: Un Corredor Ecologico Urbano en la Florida Central (Community Forest of Faith) in Orlando's Azalea Park neighborhood, is leading a wellness workshop series through November 2026, in partnership with the Renacer Foundation. The evidence-based curriculum combines health education and community engagement, covering topics such as mental health first aid, stress management, emotional resilience, goal setting, healthy coping strategies, and nature-based wellness practices.
As residents work together to plant and care for trees, they help create cooler, healthier neighborhoods while experiencing the mental, emotional, and social benefits of community engagement and connection to nature.
The Central Florida project reflects Hispanic Access Foundation's broader vision for health--one that recognizes the connection between physical, mental, environmental, and social well-being.
Alongside the wellness workshops, Corpus Care expands access to health resources through digital programming and community activities, while Observatorio Ambiental provides technical expertise to support conservation practices that improve neighborhood livability. These partnerships have driven strong grassroots engagement, with multigenerational events involving local families and digital outreach reaching more than 48,700 people.
Through initiatives like Iglesias Sanas and Community Forest of Faith, Hispanic Access Foundation continues to strengthen the leadership, partnerships, and community networks that help people thrive.
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Original text here: https://www.hispanicaccess.org/news-releases/3111-hispanic-access-foundation-connects-local-leaders-to-strengthen-community-health-and-wellness-networks
Boston Foundation: Report Finds Massachusetts Uniquely Vulnerable to Economic Impact of Federal Immigration Crackdown
BOSTON, Massachusetts, June 5 (TNSrpt) -- The Boston Foundation issued the following news release:
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New report finds Massachusetts uniquely vulnerable to economic impact of federal immigration crackdown
Value of immigrants in key industries and overall population growth put state at risk from funding cuts, destruction of immigration pathways
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A new report from Boston Indicators, the research center at the Boston Foundation, and the MassINC Policy Center finds that Massachusetts faces significant demographic and economic impacts from continuing efforts by the Trump Administration to implement
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, June 5 (TNSrpt) -- The Boston Foundation issued the following news release:
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New report finds Massachusetts uniquely vulnerable to economic impact of federal immigration crackdown
Value of immigrants in key industries and overall population growth put state at risk from funding cuts, destruction of immigration pathways
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A new report from Boston Indicators, the research center at the Boston Foundation, and the MassINC Policy Center finds that Massachusetts faces significant demographic and economic impacts from continuing efforts by the Trump Administration to implementbroad-based cuts to immigration into the United States.
Combining demographic and labor market analysis with interviews conducted with people working in life sciences, healthcare, and construction, An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force highlights the impacts of restricting immigration on a state with one of the lowest native birth rates in the country. The report does not evaluate the impact of specific restriction proposals but rather explores the contributions of immigrants to the Massachusetts economy and the sectors and places where restrictions to immigration will continue to have the largest impact.
"This report illustrates in stark terms how policies to shut down or restrict immigration pathways will have significant negative impact for our overall population and labor force in Massachusetts, with even more troubling results for industries like education and healthcare and for communities around the state for whom immigration is a source of continuing growth and economic opportunity," said Lee Pelton, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation.
"The nature of the Massachusetts economy makes it more vulnerable to the disruption of our immigration system than many other parts of the country," said Ben Forman, Director of the MassINC Policy Center. "A broad-based crackdown on immigration pathways has impacts on both high- and lower-skill industries, triggering disruptions that touch the lives of virtually every person in the Commonwealth, but are felt most strongly in our Gateway Cities."
Immigration as a Stabilizing Presence in the Labor Force
The collapse in international immigration forced by federal policy changes will make it more difficult for Massachusetts to sustain its labor force. Report authors from Boston Indicators and the MassINC Policy Center estimate that because of domestic outmigration and the aging of the Massachusetts labor force, the state would need an estimated 64,000 net international immigrants to maintain current labor force levels. The estimated net immigrant migration to the state in 2026 is estimated to be less than half of that (roughly 29,000 people).
"These immigrant workers don't just fill jobs, they contribute markedly to the Massachusetts economy," noted Kimberly Goulart, Senior Research Analyst at Boston Indicators. "Our estimates show foreign-born heads of households in Massachusetts had more than $50 billion in spending power in 2024. On top of that, these households contributed about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes and more than $23 billion in federal taxes."
Immigrants at Work: Challenges to Massachusetts' "Meds and Eds" Economy
Massachusetts' immigrant labor force is unique in its educational spread - nearly one-third of immigrants in the state labor force have a master's degree or more, compared to roughly one-fifth of native-born residents. And more than one-third of immigrant workers in Massachusetts have only a high school diploma or less. As a result, changing immigration rules has effects in research labs and innovation spaces as well as in construction, food service, healthcare and other service jobs.
The economic risk is notably acute in higher education, where universities, hospitals, biotech firms, and other research institutions depend heavily on global talent, and a pipeline of high-skilled undergraduate and graduate students.
Adapting a model from NAFSA, a nonprofit association that promotes international education and exchange, a 30 percent drop in foreign student enrollment would have a negative impact of more than $1.4 billion dollars, even assuming that the most selective institutions would be able to backfill their international student losses with domestic students.
Restrictions and a new $100,000 fee for H1-B visas were also raised in interviews with industry leaders - the new fee forces companies to be more selective with sponsoring foreign workers, with the unintended result that companies move jobs offshore entirely if or when they cannot find similar talent locally.
At the other end of Massachusetts' U-shaped pipeline, threats to broad-based immigration systems such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is exacerbating existing hiring challenges in direct care roles in places such as nursing homes, elder care and home health care. According to the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, nursing facilities in the state currently face vacancy rates in direct care roles of around 13 percent, even before accounting for potential immigration-related labor force losses.
Construction is another area facing challenges, as the industry tries to simultaneously ramp up production and maintain labor force levels. Industry representatives said that a reduction in the number of available workers, exacerbated by a fear of immigration enforcement, is leading to delays particularly among subcontractors that cost both time and money on projects.
Gateway Cities Under Stress: From Expansion to Rapid Contraction
The impact of rapid swings in immigration policy at the federal level are often most strongly felt in Massachusetts' 26 Gateway Cities, where children with at least one immigrant parent now make up a growing share of the future labor force. The rapid increase in immigrant arrivals in many cities from 2022-2024 created one set of short-term challenges for city and school leaders in many cities, but researcher found no close correlation between increased numbers of foreign-born residents and housing prices in the Gateway Cities. Nor did researchers find a strong correlation between the growth in the foreign-born low-skilled labor force in Gateway Cities and earnings growth for lower-skilled workers over the past decade.
But, the researchers note, "A rapid contraction in our immigrant population could prove even more destabilizing than the latest increase in new arrivals." Data has not yet captured real time population changes, but stories from Main Street business owners, declining school enrollments and higher absentee rates suggest reason for concern.
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REPORT: https://www.bostonindicators.org/-/media/indicators/boston-indicators-reports/report-files/2026/bi_immigrationlabor060326.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2026/june/immigration-crackdown-report-release
2026 JED Gala Honors UBS Optimus Foundation, Tom Kitt, and Student Mental Health Champions
BOSTON, Massachusetts, June 5 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release:
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2026 JED Gala Honors UBS Optimus Foundation, Tom Kitt, and Student Mental Health Champions
The Jed Foundation (JED) hosted its annual gala on June 3 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, bringing together 650 attendees and raising more than $1.7 million to support its mission to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults nationwide. Because of this support and commitment to JED's mission, the organization has been able to expand programmatic partnerships, ultimately supporting
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, June 5 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release:
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2026 JED Gala Honors UBS Optimus Foundation, Tom Kitt, and Student Mental Health Champions
The Jed Foundation (JED) hosted its annual gala on June 3 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, bringing together 650 attendees and raising more than $1.7 million to support its mission to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults nationwide. Because of this support and commitment to JED's mission, the organization has been able to expand programmatic partnerships, ultimately supportingnearly 1,500 schools and community-based organizations that serve 10 million youth with evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention programs; educate more than 30 million stakeholders through campaigns, training and digital resources; and guide a powerful federal and state advocacy presence.
For the third straight year, Emmy Award-winning journalist Savannah Sellers hosted the inspiring event, recognizing honorees, presenters, and special guests amplifying JED's work to strengthen mental health systems where young people live, learn, and grow.
"More than a quarter century ago, Donna and Phil Satow founded The Jed Foundation after their son, Jed, died by suicide. Since then, we have seen both progress and new challenges in the youth mental health and suicide prevention landscapes. Throughout this time, JED has remained committed to creating a world where no young person struggles alone," said John MacPhee, JED CEO. "We stand at the beginning of a new chapter where we can help youth and every person across the lifespan feel connected and thrive. JED is humbled by our roots, grateful for our hopeful present, and invigorated for our shared future. This gala is a reflection and celebration of all we've achieved and all that lies ahead."
This year's gala held special significance as JED's first event since announcing its planned merger with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to form the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention across the lifespan, pending regulatory approvals expected this fall. Phillip M. Satow, JED's co-founder and chair emeritus, spoke about next steps for the combined organization - AFSP/JED - a union of equals leveraging the complementary strengths and decades of expertise to prevent suicide, touch lives, and improve mental health outcomes.
Tony award-winning performer Adrienne Warren introduced Tom Kitt, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, arranger, orchestrator, and producer - whose work in theater, film, and television has been seen and celebrated internationally. He was honored with the 2026 Voice of Mental Health Award for his extraordinary contributions to elevating awareness of youth mental health and suicide prevention. Kitt's groundbreaking rock musical, Next to Normal, for which he composed the music, explores mental health challenges and their impact on family. His lyricism has been widely praised for its thoughtful, compassionate portrayal of mental illness, grief, and modern psychiatry.
"It is truly an honor to be recognized by The Jed Foundation. As an artist, I have always tried to create work that investigates the human condition and champions compassion, empathy, connection, and resilience," said Kitt. "These are all qualities at the core of JED's mission, and I am incredibly proud to support the important and vital work that they do."
Elisha London, founder of United for Global Mental Health, presented UBS Optimus Foundation with JED's 2026 Corporate Voice of Mental Health Award for their leadership and unwavering commitment to young adult mental health and well-being. The UBS Optimus Foundation is a global network of separately organized and regulated, tax-exempt, charitable organizations, founded and managed by UBS, that make grants and other financial contributions to implementing partner organizations aligned with their values and objectives. Their mental health strategy takes an integrated, systems-level approach to improve outcomes for young people by strengthening early intervention in schools, expanding equitable access to 24/7 crisis support, and promoting healthier digital environments through a curated platform of vetted partners. By mobilizing philanthropic capital toward scaled, evidence-based solutions--while emphasizing equity, measurement, and collaboration--the Foundation aims to move the field beyond fragmented projects toward durable, nationwide impact for youth mental health and well-being.
"The JED Gala was a powerful reminder of what's possible when leaders across philanthropy, business, mental health, and culture come together with a shared purpose," said Liza Green, CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation US. "We're deeply honored to accept this award from JED, which recognizes UBS Optimus Foundation's commitment to making youth mental health and suicide prevention a core philanthropic priority. This acknowledgment affirms our belief that driving systems level change--and challenging the stigma and silence around mental health--is essential to helping young people thrive."
Sellers introduced the 2026 Student Voice of Mental Health Award recipients: 17-year-old Sarah Shelke, a recent California high school graduate bound for University of California, Berkeley, and 21-year-old Kyra Wagner of Nashville, Tennessee, a rising senior at Spelman College. Both recipients shared with attendees their passion for mental health advocacy, and lived experiences that have shaped their work.
The evening also featured powerful performances by Kitt, who wrote and dedicated an original song especially for the Gala, JED, and its supporters titled, "I've Got You"; Adrienne Warren; Indigo Girls singer-songwriter Emily Saliers; Young People's Chorus of New York City; and 2024-2025 National Youth Poet Laureate Stephanie Pacheco.
To support JED's transformative work and its future with AFSP, visit jedfoundation.org/donate/.
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About The Jed Foundation
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools, colleges, school districts, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We're encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
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Original text here: https://jedfoundation.org/2026-jed-gala-honors-ubs-optimus-foundation-tom-kitt-and-student-mental-health-champions/
