Stead Foundation
Founded by Jerre and Mary Joy Stead, the Stead Foundation has given more than $400 million to healthcare, education, and faith-based nonprofits making measurable, lasting change.
Giving Back
Jerre and Mary Joy established the Stead Foundation as a reflection of their commitment to giving back, which they embraced during their early lives when resources were scarce. The Foundation focuses its giving in specific areas to help address some of the most critical issues facing our world, complementing the impact investing of Stead Impact Ventures. In addition to making grants, the Stead Foundation provides multiple levels of support to its grantees and seeks to inspire the next generation of philanthropists.
I’ve found that the more we give, the more we get. And so, the more we get, the more we give. Philanthropy, to us, is not just about giving. It’s investing in the future.
– Jerre Stead
Impact Philanthropy
In the area of healthcare, the Stead Foundation established two Arizona-based organizations: the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, which has revolutionized the standard of care for Alzheimer’s and memory-related disorders, and Community 43, a community hub for individuals with serious mental illness. The Foundation also supports the Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa, home of “the wave.”
In education, the Foundation is supporting the next generation of leaders through the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. The Foundation also supports religious organizations around the world, including Interfaith America, which demonstrates how religious differences can serve as a bridge of cooperation, and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, which forms courageous leaders to cultivate communities of justice, compassion, and hope.
Select Nonprofit Partners
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute provides ongoing hope and help for patients and families living with Alzheimer’s disease related dementias, offering exceptional services, groundbreaking research, and innovative programs to address both medical and non-medical needs.
Community 43 offers a healing space for individuals with serious mental illness through the clubhouse concept, a purposeful community with crisis intervention services and vital resources.
Fountain House is a national mental health nonprofit fighting to improve health, increase opportunity, and end social and economic isolation for people most impacted by mental illness.
The Honor Health Research Institute Center of Innovation is dedicated to finding new treatments, advancing the standard of care, and helping patients live longer and with quality of life.
Through innovation, collaboration, quality, and safety, UI Health Care provides life changing primary and specialty care and expertise to patients and families, seeks knowledge through research to advance biomedical science, and educates and trains the next generation of health care professionals.
The Lily Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University is the world’s first school dedicated solely to the study and teaching of philanthropy, and its PhilD is the world’s first professional doctorate for philanthropic and nonprofit professionals.
The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation sponsors leadership training, personal development programs, and undergraduate scholarships to assist deserving members of the fraternity.
Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education.
For over 168 years, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary has prepared spiritually adventurous, intellectually daring, and deeply faithful leaders for service to the Church, the academy, and diverse cultures and settings.
Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its mission is to preach the gospel and to meet human needs without discrimination.
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