Jason Foundation, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Jason Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to the prevention of the "Silent Epidemic" of youth and young adult suicide, which is the 2nd leading cause of death for young people ages 10- 24. In fact, suicide takes an average of 137 young people each and every day. But, the good news is that suicide is PREVENTABLE!
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
A Promise for Tomorrow
The student curriculum “A Promise for Tomorrow” presents a positive look at how students can help friends who may be depressed or having suicidal thoughts. This curriculum aims to provide information and strategies needed to be a lifesaving influence. The program is designed to be used within a school’s current Health and Wellness program for grades 7-12.
It is designed in a two-lesson format for the traditional high school schedule of 50-to-60-minute classes. These can be presented as two separate lessons or back-to-back to accommodate an extended block class of 90 minutes or longer. The curriculum content is delivered digitally with facilitator-led sections to reiterate information and lead discussion.
Parent & Communities Seminars
Our original JFI program is still one of our most popular and important. Creating awareness with parents and communities about the magnitude and impact of youth suicide is the first step in building a successful prevention campaign. The program also helps train individuals to recognize “warning signs” that four out of five young people show before a suicide attempt. The program stresses the need to put together an action plan before it is needed in order to react timely and correctly should a suicidal situation arise. Previously, this program was only available by JFI staff presentation. It is now available in a “Facilitator’s Packet” so that people inside or outside the mental health arena can present a quality and professional presentation on youth suicide prevention. This program is available on our website for parents.
Other Programs
The Jason Foundation, Inc. has other educational programs such as Faith Based, College, "B1" Project, "A Friend Asks" Youth App and many others. For more information about other programs we offer, please visit us www.jasonfoundation.com.
Professional Development Series
The Jason Foundation, Inc. series of online Staff Development Training Modules provide information on the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. These training modules are suitable for teachers, coaches, other school personnel, youth workers, first responders, foster parents and any adult who works with or interacts with young people or wants to learn more about youth suicide. This series of programs introduces the scope and magnitude of the problem of youth suicide, the signs of concern, risk factors, how to recognize young people who may be struggling, how to approach the student and help an at-risk youth find resources for assistance. At the conclusion of each training module, an opportunity to print a certificate of completion is provided.
Where we work
External reviews

Photos
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?
The Jason Foundation, Inc. works aggressively to provide educational programs for students, educators, youth workers, parents, and communities providing information, tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth. The JFI National Network consists of offices across the nation providing our programs and resources to millions of individuals throughout the nation at no charge.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Jason Foundation (JFI) utilizes a network of highly trained individuals to create a grass-roots approach for reaching out to communities. By analyzing the unique needs of specific neighborhoods, communities, cities and states, the JFI team is able to tailor our programs for those geographic areas and respond accordingly.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Through strategic partnerships, JFI has expanded our outreach through physical offices located in 37 states in our nation. Our increased use of technology has further enhanced our community outreach into all fifty states and several foreign countries. Additionally, JFI enjoys a top-notch corporate staff, as well as an outstanding medical advisory board to ensure that our programs are clinically sound and educationally effective.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Jason Foundation has reached many milestones toward our mission of the prevention of youth suicide. These are just a few:
1, In 2022, JFI provided 192,421 educator trainings.
2. JFI was instrumental in the passage of "The Jason Flatt Act" (named after our founders son), which requires teachers to be trained as a regular part of their continuing education. This legislation has now been passed in 21 states.
3. Our student curriculum - "A Promise for Tomorrow" - is utilized in classrooms - grades 7 - 12 - across the nation. In 2022, over 605 new schools impacted more than 274,520 new students who had not yet received the training.
JFI continues to evaluate and update our programs and have very exciting new training modules to be released in the next few months.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our 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.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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.
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.
Jason Foundation, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 06/21/2023
Mr. Paul Summers
Attorney General - TN (Retired), Senior Judge - State of TN (Retired), Director of Government/Corporate Relations - JFI
Term: 2022 - 2024
Mrs. Cindy Sheriff
Employee Assistance and Benefit Advisor
Term: 2022 - 2024
Thurbert Baker
Former Georgia State Attorney General (Retired)
Connie Flatt
JFI Corporate Officer
John Flatt
Pediatric Neurology - Private Practice
Clark Flatt
The Jason Foundation
Gordon Gee
President - West Virginia University
William Helou
Attorney - WSM Legal, PLLC
Deanne Ray
Executive Director/CP/COO - JFI
David Martin
The Jason Foundation, Inc. Director of Sports Relations
Michele Ray
The Jason Foundation, Inc. Sr. VP and CEO
Paul Summers
Former Attorney General State of Tennessee - Retired
Sandy Webster
Community Advocate
Brandi Ray
Chief Marketing Officer - JFI
Jim Hood
Former State Attorney General - Mississippi
Eric Paul
President - HCA Behavioral
Cindy Sheriff
Employee Assistance and Benefit Advisor
Terrance Bridges
Healthcare Professional
Alberto Gonzales
Former Attorney General of United States
Jim Schnuck
Healthcare Professional
Todd Berry
American Football Coaches Association - Executive Director
Jean Scallon
Signature Healthcare Regional VP Operations
Jim Shaheen
Founder & Chairman - Shaheen Strategic Investments, LLC.
Osei Mevs
Vice President of Government Relations – Acadia Healthcare
Mike Garone
Sr. VP of Business Development & Marketing - New Season
John Fisher
Vice President of Business Development - Springstone
Jonathan Skrmetti
TN Attorney General
Joe Franks
Exec. Director - National Organization of Coaches Association Directors (NOCAD)
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
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? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
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? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 06/18/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.