Case Study: ATX Mental Health Fund expands transparent mutual aid with Open Collective

ATX Mental Health Fund - Customer Case Study

The ATX Mental Health Fund, an initiative in Austin, Texas, faced the challenge of providing accessible mental healthcare to a community with a high uninsured rate, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They needed a transparent and legal way to collect and redistribute tax-deductible donations for direct cash assistance without incurring a significant tax burden or financial bureaucracy. They turned to the vendor, Open Collective, utilizing the Open Collective Foundation as their fiscal host.

Open Collective provided the solution by offering fiscal sponsorship, which enabled the fund to operate transparently, accept tax-deductible donations, and have the financial reporting and tax liability handled by the host. This allowed the volunteer-run mutual aid fund to launch and focus on its mission. The results include successfully redistributing money for mental health needs, with a maximum grant of $600 covering six weeks of therapy. The fund has grown, enabling them to become a trusted community resource, launch projects like "Mental Health Match Up," and run specific fundraisers, such as a $1,500 campaign to provide free counseling sessions to those affected by a local winter storm.

ATX Mental Health Fund

Samantha Meyer

Mental Health Therapist