Company: The Jed Foundation
Company Description: The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow. JED empowers teens and young adults by building resiliency and life skills, promoting social connectedness, and encouraging help-seeking and help-giving behaviors.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Organization of the Year - Non-Profit or Government - Medium
 Nomination Title: The Jed Foundation
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 198 words used.
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today…and tomorrow.
Phil and Donna Satow lost their youngest son, Jed, to suicide in 1998. Although suicide was and continues to be a leading cause of death among young adults, schools had no uniform model for preventing suicide on campus. Communities struggled to overcome the shame and secrecy that prevented honest discussion of mental health.
In 2000, JED was founded to surmount these hurdles and launch a blueprint for prevention. Today, JED is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to youth mental health. Together we’re helping students navigate emotional challenges, prepare for adulthood, and thrive.
JED’s has three areas of focus. JED equips individuals by building resiliency and life skills; promoting social connectedness; and encouraging help-seeking and help-giving behaviors. JED strengthens schools by working directly with high schools, colleges, and universities to put systems, programs, and policies in place to create a culture of caring. Lasty, JED mobilizes communities by partnering with them to create a culture of caring grounded in deeper understanding and reduced shame and secrecy.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 198 words used.
In 2021, JED joined the Mental Health Storytelling Coalition as part of the Expert Advisory Council. Other members include MTV, Nickelodeon, and The Walt Disney Company.
JED’s updated Mental Health Resource Center was relaunched in 2021, generating 57% growth in new users to the JED website.
In October 2022, JED led a first-of-its-kind Montana Youth Mental Health Summit, with community leaders. The summit reached 8% of Youth in Park County.
JED was the lead advocacy group to expand resources for Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education), working with Representative Tony Cardenas and Senators Jacky Rosen and Lisa Murkowski on bill H.R. 1803 which influenced this action.
JED advised the National Governors Association (NGA) on youth mental health.
JED’s in-house experts provided guidance to (as part of NCSP) SAMHSA on 988 implementation and our concern that suicide prevention remain a key focus.
JED's earned media increased by 105% (which included features in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Forbes).
JED held a "Back to School" satellite media tour with Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, M.D., M.A., reaching 15% of the U.S. population (49 million impressions) with 1,843 broadcast TV/radio and web placements.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 144 words used.
JED has positioned itself as a thought leader on mental health and suicide prevention across various media types and communication modes. High-profile collaborations and partnerships possible through the trust and credibility that JED has built. Some examples include McGraw Hill, CollegeBoard, and MTV, to name a few.
JED has increased its programmatic, advocacy, and advising efforts significantly over the last couple of years. Since 2021, a new advocacy team has been added which is dedicated to supporting and creating legislation at a local, state, and federal level that will advance mental health and suicide prevention. JED is advancing their JED High School program to extend our reach to our beneficiaries. The creation and expansion of these teams and programs are possible through the trust, support, and shared passion of JED’s donors, fundraisers, and advocates.
JED has a current score of 97% on Charity Navigator.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 53 words used.
The “JED Stats” attachment highlights some of JED’s impacts within our JED Campus programs as well as our plans leading up to 2026. This document supports our information regarding JED Higher Ed and JED High School.
The “JED Overview” document provides an overview of JED’s works including programs, resources, and some corporate sponsors.
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