How is LETS Funded?
How far can passion and commitment take a mission to erase the stigma of mental illness? Let's find out!
With all the growth and enthusiasm surrounding Let's Erase the Stigma Educational Foundation, many have asked us, where do you get funding to support your outreach? In a word: passion.
So far LETS has received almost all of its financial support by LETS founder Philippe Fontilea's personal rock climbing business, On Belay: Rock Climbing Instruction and Fitness, LLC. On Belay is a subsidiary of the LETS Educational Foundation, with 100 percent of proceeds used to fund the LETS mission of empowering youth to erase the stigma of mental illness. The generous support from On Belay has helped LETS come this far, but we will need more support to establish educational programs in high schools and universities across the nation.
Why would somebody dedicate an entire business to funding a nonprofit without any gain? The answer goes back to passion. After seeing firsthand the harmful effects of stigma in his own family, Phil committed himself to erasing the stigma of mental illness. Now he is putting everything he can into LETS because he knows that LETS youth are doing important work, and he believes in them. As a devoted guide to climbers, father to his son, mentor to youth, and advocate against stigma, Phil is using On Belay to empower LETS.
"It's all about the kids! " Phil says. "Advocating for youth and helping them to erase the stigma of mental illness is one of the most important things I can do. I'm stoked that LETS is traveling with such great momentum and reaching an international level. I'm so proud of the awesome LETS kids!"
We Have Climbed. Please Help Us Soar.
LETS youth are already erasing the stigma of mental illness with a far-reaching message, but we still need help.
We appreciate all levels of support. If you can, please make a tax-deductible donation or introduce us to resources that can help us sustain a great mission for great youth. Funding directly benefits LETS kids and youth by enabling us to provide:
- Grants of $1,000 to each high school who starts their own Club
- Mentorship Funding for university-to-high-school and high-school-to-middle-school and middle-school-to-elementary programs
- Funding to develop and implement a toolkit for elementary and middle school classrooms
- Funding for universities to set up LETS chapters
- Research funding for universities to explore LETS outcomes
- Annual LETS Conferences for High School Students with no registration fee for students
- Youth symposiums for youth who want to make a difference
- Outreach opportunities for community service and education
- Stigma-erasing projects conceptualized and initiated by LETS youth
- Toolkits for elementary and middle school students to bring the conversation about erasing the stigma to the younger kids
If you take a look at how the LETS kids are making a difference, we're sure you'll believe in them too. We see that youth have an answer, and that their energy and drive can erase the stigma of mental illness for their communities and for future generations. We are excited for them! Passion is taking LETS far, and when we add the support of even more passionate people, LETS will soar.
