JED, NAMI, and Macy’s Partnership Raises Over $1.4 Million During Back-to-School Fundraiser for Youth Mental Health

By Lauren Patetta 

Macy’s raised over $1.4 million to support the work of the Jed Foundation (JED) and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), addressing the mental health needs of teens and young adults this back-to-school season. 

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 14, Macy’s customers could choose to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, donating the extra money to JED and NAMI. The donations allow both organizations to continue creating and implementing vital youth mental health programming, which helps give young people the resources they need to support their well-being at the start of the school year and beyond. 

The partnership is part of the Macy’s social-purpose platform Mission Every One, and this year marked the second consecutive fundraiser held on behalf of JED and NAMI. 

To kick off the fundraising launch, JED’s Chief Development Officer, Adee Shepen, joined NAMI’s Director of External Relations, Kate Kennedy-Lynch, at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City. The event, which took place Aug. 3, brought together Macy’s staff for an in-store celebration and rally to generate excitement for the upcoming weeks. 

“Thank you to … the thousands of Macy’s employees across the country who are now going to be able to talk about [JED’s] work with their customers and encourage them to join in support,” Shepen said at the event. 

Macy’s and JED also joined forces with Daelan Pinksy, a 17-year-old student from Florida, and Georgia Messinger, JED’s 2021 Student Voice of Mental Health Award winner. Pinksy and Messinger were chosen to help lead this year’s youth mental health fundraising campaign because of their previous advocacy work and dedication to the mission. 

Thank you so much to Macy’s corporate, Macy’s employees, and everyone who helped make this month of fundraising such a success. All proceeds will go toward supporting young people and fostering systemic change across the country.