When it comes to mental health, there’s no need to go it alone. 

That’s true both for people who are struggling and for the philanthropic groups working to support them. 

To wit, Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation celebrated World Mental Health Day on Friday by releasing its annual Impact Report while unveiling a new partnership with RAISEfashion and a campaign highlighting work in the area by football player Kayvon Thibodeaux.

“At the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation, partnerships are at the heart of our work,” said Richard Baker, board president of the foundation, the luxury retailer’s charitable arm. “Our mental health partners are achieving remarkable outcomes nationwide, pioneering the latest in mental health research and supporting the emotional well-being of their local communities — and we are honored to serve alongside them.”

Baker said Saks and its foundation have in total “invested more than $8.5 million in mental health initiatives. These funds have helped more than 15 million people receive actionable information on ways to access care.”  

The foundation was established in 2017 and is dedicated to making mental health a priority in every community by increasing awareness, improving access to care and “building protective factors,” including the attitudes and relationships that build the foundation for mental health. 

Emily Essner, president and chief commercial officer of Saks Global and officer of the foundation, said: “The demand for comprehensive mental health resources has never been more critical, and each year the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation deepens its commitment to make mental health a priority. 

“In the past year, our nonprofit partners have reached thousands of individuals directly and supported programs that uplift underserved communities across the country. By expanding our partnerships and empowering local leaders, we’re building more pathways to care and working to ensure that more people have access to the support they need and deserve.”

For the 12 months covered in the report, the foundation distributed $1.1 million in grants, 86 percent of which were directed toward underserved communities. 

The foundation also revealed the winners of its Local Grant Program.  

This year, the foundation received a tenfold increase in applications for its Local Grand Program, selecting 10 winners out of a field of 2,500 nonprofits to receive a total of $250,000 in funding. 

The 2025 recipients include: 

Saks’ new partner, RAISEfashion, seeks to create sustainable pathways for underrepresented designers and students — something that is only possible with proper attention to mental health.  

“To be announced as a new grantee on World Mental Health Day is a profound milestone for our organization and the community we serve,” said Felita Harris, cofounder and executive director of RAISEfashion. “It sends a powerful message that the well-being of creatives matters, that success in fashion begins with supporting the whole person, mentally, emotionally and financially. We are deeply looking forward to collaborating with the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation to make mental health an integral part of building healthy businesses and thriving creative lives.”

The campaign with Thibodeaux, a defensive lineman for the New York Giants, will highlight his work on youth menthol health as founder of the JREAM Foundation.

“The JREAM Foundation is focused on creating opportunities for young people to feel supported, inspired and confident in themselves. Mental health is a huge part of that journey,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m grateful to the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation for its commitment to mental health, and proud to stand alongside them in ensuring that children in our communities know they’re not alone.”