Fountain House, Inc.
Transforming Mental Illness Recovery Through Community and Advocacy
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
In 2017, the US Census Bureau reported that in New York State over 700,000 adults live with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This population is usually severely isolated from society, lives in precarious environments that make recovery difficult, and are often left with a deep feeling of hopelessness. Public agencies set-up to support people living with serious mental illness are disconnected from other services and are over-burdened with a shortage of mental health professionals. This results in greater trauma and health risks for people with SMI and disturbs the progress of communities in which they reside. Consequently, access to support networks becomes limited and opportunities for recovery are hindered. Fountain House addresses the issue of social isolation, eliminates barriers to care, and helps members overcome social stigma through an evidence-based model.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Employment
Work has been the cornerstone of Fountain Houses programming since its inception. It is the activity that speaks to the fundamental belief that people with serious mental illness can be productive members of society. Whatever their previous work experience, Fountain House has developed a variety of innovative opportunities for members to strengthen job readiness skills, regain the confidence and motivation to succeed, acquire consistent long-term employment, and achieve greater economic independence.
Fountain House members work at over 120 unique businesses and have achieved an employment rate that is almost consistently double that of comparable employment programs for persons with serious mental illness in New York City. Fountain Houses current Employment Resource Center reaches more than 400 clubhouse members each year, offering a range of opportunities that meet the individuals where they are in their capacities and recovery.
Education
Fountain House operates a robust supported education program, making it possible for people with serious mental illness to return to or advance their college studies, regardless of their previous education, illness, or disability.
The organizations supported education programming includes in-house courses conducted by members and staff, high school equivalency prep and college prep tutoring, and courses in computer and financial literacy. Fountain House members who enroll in degree or certificate-seeking programs have a 90 percent average semester completion rate.
Health and Wellness
People with serious mental illness have a life expectancy that is 10-20 years less than the general population. Fountain House addresses and reverses the numerous adverse health trends experienced by members through health and wellness programming at our clubhouse locations, and supports member access to primary and psychiatric care, care management, and home and community-based services.
Through fitness, nutrition, and health education, members gain energy and motivation, lose weight, and improve their overall wellness and quality of life. They also learn how to incorporate healthy food into their diets and reduce stress through yoga and meditation. Fountain House members experience reduced hospitalizations and a 21% decrease in costs to Medicaid.
Housing
Thirty-six percent of Fountain House members have a history of homelessness. Without proper housing, people face a continuous cycle of homelessness or entering jails, shelters, and hospitals.
Fountain House has always believed and made it possible for members to live in and contribute to their communities. A pioneer in housing individuals living with mental illness, Fountain House is the oldest provider of supported housing for those with serious mental illness in New York City.
Fountain House provides housing throughout all five boroughs in New York City and ensures that every member has a stable living environment, whether in Fountain House residences, independent apartments or with family and friends. Fountain House opened the first HUD-funded mental health residence in the country, and was one of the first programs to turn a licensed facility into independent housing and introduce 24/7 outreach services to people residing in our accommodations.
Fountain House Gallery and Studio
Fountain House Gallery and Studio supports the careers and creative visions of contemporary artists living with mental illness.
Founded by Fountain House in 2000, the Manhattan-based Gallery sells original artworks and collaborates with a wide network of artists, curators and cultural institutions. Embracing artists who are emerging or established, trained or self-taught, Fountain House Gallery cultivates artistic growth, makes a vital contribution to the New York arts community, and challenges the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The Studio, located in Long Island City, is a collaborative workspace that furthers the professional practice of Fountain House artists and provides member-artists with the resources, training, inspiration, and support they need to succeed in the highly competitive art world.
Social Enterprise
The social enterprise program is a creative solution to create jobs in a rapidly changing job-seeking environment. Fountain Houses social enterprises offer affordable, top-quality services while providing employees from traditionally marginalized populations with the opportunity to enter the workforce and obtain invaluable job skills. Through innovative ventures, members learn industry-specific skills that are transferable in the marketplace.
Fountain House currently operates six social enterprise businesses: Fountain House + Body (sustainable home supplies and goods), Jackrabbit Deliveries (Meals on Wheels), Bee Well (peer services), Rockdove Industries (professional services), Blue Bird (gardening and landscaping), and Wildlife Works (administrative services).
Silver Center
Fountain House proves people with mental illness can live healthy, fulfilling, and longer lives when given the right resources and tools. In 2018, Fountain House opened the Silver Center to keep older members supported and connected as they age, and to address ongoing concerns of isolation, physical illness and decline, inadequate housing, and poverty.
In addition to having created a dedicated senior residence within walking distance from our main clubhouse in NYC, members and staff also make outreach visits throughout the boroughs to members who are living in adult homes, nursing homes or independent apartments, to reduce isolation and keep them connected to vital services.
Where we work
Awards
Hilton Humanitarian Prize 2014
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
58 percent of members are diagnosed with schizophrenia, 22 percent are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and 35 percent of members have been diagnosed with chronic depression.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Founded in 1948, Fountain House empowers people with serious mental illness in New York City to live and thrive in society. Every day, individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression come to Fountain House to contribute their talents, learn new skills, access opportunities, and build friendships. Alongside staff, members operate award-winning social interventions in areas of employment, education, wellness, and housing and work as partners to perform the functions that keep the community going. Through innovative paths to mental health recovery, Fountain House serves over 900 people each month between its two Clubhouses in Manhattan and the Bronx, and has a current active annual membership of 1,600 individuals from all five New York City boroughs. The organization’s evidence-based approach has served as an international model for over 330 Fountain House replications in over 30 countries, serving hundreds of thousands of people each year.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Fountain House has pioneered one of the most successful community-based mental health recovery models in the world to address the issue of social isolation, eliminate barriers to care, and overcome social stigma through an evidence-based approach. Social isolation is a critical issue for this population, as many people with SMI have lost jobs and become alienated from family and friends. The experience of mental illness can prevent people from learning basic life management skills and limit their exposure to the types of learning that people generally experience, including the ability to build and sustain social relationships, manage financial affairs, and seek educational and employment opportunities. Fountain House’s comprehensive suite of social interventions and supports include housing, employment, education, and wellness programs that empower members to reclaim their lives, realize their abilities, and cope with the normal stresses of life. This unique model continues to inspire and give hope to thousands of people with serious mental illness in New York City and around the world.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Fountain House has a long tradition of effectively evolving its programs to meet the changing needs of people living with mental illness. Fountain House is recognized globally as a social innovator and premier National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) evidence-based leader in creating working communities. As an organization, Fountain House continues to expand its reach through piloting new programs, and currently has over 15,000 donors supporting its mission and goals, which contributes to the financial security and success of its model. Additionally, Fountain House maintains a strong, diverse Board of Directors, including Fountain House members, people with family members living with mental illness and mental health advocates. The Board of Directors cultivates involvement and strong leadership within its subcommittees, which strengthens the organizations ability to successfully meet its goals and fulfill its mission.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Grounded in evidence-based programming, Fountain House uses a strength-based approach that helps people with serious mental illness recover with dignity and compassion. Fountain House's community prides itself on its inherent social inclusivity, message of personal empowerment, and innovation. During its seventy years of operation, Fountain House has impacted hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers living with SMI. In 2011, it was added to the SAMHSA National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. In 2014, Fountain House was awarded the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize—a humanitarian honor that goes to an organization doing the most to alleviate human suffering. In 2016, a research study by NYU’s Health Evaluation and Analytics Lab (HEAL) demonstrated that Fountain House members have a 21 percent decrease in total cost of care for Medicaid high utilizers after enrolling in Fountain House. Additional research has shown that the re-hospitalization rate of Baer Center patients is 10 percent, while re-hospitalization rates for people with schizophrenia in the general population are as high as 50 percent. In 2018, Fountain House was added to CSQ’s list of “100 Philanthropies You Should Know in NY and LA,” and in 2019, it was featured in Philanthropy Magazine based on its credibility and social impact.
Additionally in 2018, Fountain House facilitated an international conference, Healthier Longer Lives. For two days in New York City, mental health leaders and advocates shared insights and experiences to inspire action, change policy, and bring serious mental illness recovery to the forefront of public discussion to address stigma and barriers to care.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Fountain House, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 03/18/2024
Mr. Gregory Baecher
Charles J. Marsden
Alexandra A. Herzan
Gregory Baecher
William S. Hilburn
Meghna R. Desai
Thomas R. Insel
Arvind Sooknanan
Reginald D. Williams
II
Philip Fleming
Sonia Perez
Andrew J. Imparato
Alexandra Cawthorne Gaines
Debra Irwin
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes