Our Focus

Advancing lasting change in mental health through systems, partnerships, and long-term investment.

Systems Change & Innovation

Peg’s advances mental health by strengthening the systems that shape prevention, treatment, and recovery. We support efforts that test new approaches, align stakeholders, and influence policy and practice beyond any single initiative. Our focus is on long-term, sustainable change that improves outcomes at scale.

Investing in initiatives that align leaders, institutions, and systems across sectors
Supporting innovative approaches when traditional models fail to meet  complex needs
Remaining committed over time to move ideas from pilot to lasting  systems-level change

Reducing the Overrepresentation of Mental Illness in the Justice System

Through participation in the Stepping Up Initiative, Peg’s supports county-level efforts to address the intersection of mental health and the justice system. This work helps communities adopt policies and practices that improve outcomes for individuals with mental illness while strengthening systems across courts, jails, and behavioral health providers.

Learn About the Stepping Up

From Evidence to Action

Peg’s supports policy-focused efforts that prioritize statewide capacity building and proof of concept for effective mental health solutions. By investing in work that informs policy and practice, Peg’s helps ensure that successful models influence broader systems and lead to lasting reform.

Learn About Our Policy Work

A New Model for Behavioral Health Crisis Response

Clear Pathways focuses on aligning crisis response systems so individuals experiencing a behavioral health emergency have a place to call, a team to respond, and a place to go. By supporting coordinated, community-based crisis infrastructure, Peg’s is helping shift how behavioral health emergencies are handled, reducing reliance on emergency departments, jails, and law enforcement. The work is designed to be sustained and replicated across communities.

Learn About Clear Pathways

Progress Through Partnerships

Peg’s believes lasting progress happens when the right people work together toward a shared goal. We bring together partners across sectors to align expertise, resources, and leadership around complex mental health challenges that no single organization can address alone.

Through collaboration and shared ownership, these partnerships help move ideas forward, strengthen collective impact, and turn vision into action.

Convening leaders, organizations, and institutions around shared priorities
Supporting collaborative efforts that leverage diverse perspectives and expertise
Advancing progress through trust-based relationships and collective action

Explore Program Partners

Aligning National Leaders Around a Shared Vision

The CEO Alliance for Mental Health brings together leaders from across the mental health field to develop and advance a shared vision for improving care in the United States. Peg’s plays a key role in convening and supporting this collective effort, demonstrating how collaboration at the leadership level can accelerate progress and amplify impact.

Learn About the CEO Alliance

Investing in Leadership Through Academic Partnership

Through a long-term partnership with Northeast Ohio Medical University, Peg’s established an endowed chair in psychiatry to support leadership, education, and research in mental health care. This investment reflects Peg’s belief in strengthening the field by working alongside institutions that prepare the next generation of mental health leaders.

Learn About Endowments

Collaborative Policy Thinking with National Reach

In partnership with other foundations, Peg’s supported the development of Think Bigger Do Good, a series of policy papers designed to inform and influence mental health advocacy. The collaboration brought together diverse expertise to elevate ideas that could shape public conversation and policy at multiple levels.

About Think Bigger Do Good

$121MM

Invested since 2005

Years of sustained impact

1859+

Cross-Sector Collaborations

Our Investment Approach

Peg’s approaches grantmaking as a strategic investment, directing resources toward efforts that drive meaningful change, strengthen partnerships, and create lasting impact at both the local and national level.

Grant Opportunities

Recognizing Those That Move the Mission Forward

The Peg’s Impact Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose work advances systems change,  strengthens communities, and reflects the values at the heart of Peg’s mission.

View Past Recipients