Dear Friends and Supporters of the Nolan Robison Foundation (NRF):
Thank you for supporting our mission to help children with mental health needs. We are sending this update with a different message than you might expect, but we want you to be timely informed regarding a decision that became inevitable over the past few months. In analyzing the future path of NRF, we were forced to realize the difficulty of sustaining a long-term nonprofit mission, with so many great causes soliciting donations and new worthy causes constantly arising.
Therefore, after much thought, discussion and prayer, the NRF Board of Directors has decided to start the “winddown” of the NRF. This will be a bittersweet phase and we continue to be very thankful for the generosity of our donors, who have funded approximately $1,600,000 toward mental health therapy for nearly 250 children in need over the past nine years. We are especially proud that our program has sponsored over 135 graduates who met the cost of their therapy needs via NRF funding.
Our namesake and Hugger Extraordinaire, Nolan Robison, passed away on July 7, 2015 (his 21st birthday), and we have targeted that date in 2025 for completing our winddown. We plan to fund therapy for children currently in the program through March 31, 2025, and we will strive to provide an orderly transition for those still in the program at that time, utilizing their existing providers and/or organizations such as Pro Bono Counseling, a nonprofit that provides free mental health services to children throughout Maryland.
AND WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY QUIETLY!! Over the next year, we need to raise roughly $120,000 to ensure that all children in our program are funded through March 31, 2025, noting we have cleared our waiting list for 2024! With that goal in mind, we are planning a Blowout “Final Fundraiser Fiesta” at Farmacy Brewing on Friday September 13, 2024 (why not!). PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!!
Thinking back over the past nine years, we have joyful memories of times spent with many of you at our themed events: Belmont Stakes Day, Picnic in the Park, Hippie Tie-Die Night and other annual fundraisers, all the way back to our multi-generational lacrosse tournaments at NDP! Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for your support. We hope you can understand our desire to plan for an orderly winddown phase and to include you in communicating this decision to the public.
We pray for your continued financial and spiritual support as we wrap up our mission.
May God Bless you and your family.
HUG ON!!!
The Board of Directors of the Nolan Robison Foundation
HONORING BARRY OFFUTT
BOARD MEMBER & FRIEND
October 16, 1961 – March 2, 2022
With great sadness we report that Barry Offutt, an original and longstanding member of the Board of Directors of the Nolan Robison Foundation, passed away unexpectantly from natural causes on March 2, 2022. Barry’s desire to help children in need, especially those with mental illness, was a driving force of the Foundation. His creativity, thoughtfulness, and problem solving skills were unmatched, and were valued ingredients in managing the Foundation and influencing its positive impact throughout Central Maryland. Our prayers are with Barry’s family and friends. Hug On!!
17.1 MILLION CHILDREN IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS.
That is nearly 25%. That means according to the CDC, 1 in 4 children aged 3-17 in our country are struggling and need access to important resources like therapy and medication. The problem is that mental healthcare is expensive and therefore can be inaccessible to those who may desperately need it. We believe that no family should have to make difficult decisions about their child's mental wellbeing due to lack of finances.
OUR MISSION
Is to provide compassionate and comprehensive support for families of children needing therapeutic care for depression, anxiety or attention deficit disorder regardless of their ability to pay. We subsidize the cost of therapeutic care for underprivileged children under the age of 21 with a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and/or attention deficit disorder. Funding will be paid directly to licensed providers, including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers and/or Pediatricians, upon receipt from the Provider of an invoice and documentation of the diagnosis.
HONORING
NOLAN
On July 7, 2015, Nolan Ryan Robison lost his life in a tragic car accident on his 21st birthday. Nolan was an amazing son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, lacrosse player, golfer, friend and hugger.
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In an effort to make some sense out of our loss, and create something positive out of this tragedy, we have formed the Nolan Robison Foundation.
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Nolan experienced many challenges during his life and was preparing to start a new chapter in his life. Sadly we will not see Nolan grow older but through this Foundation he will continue to help others.
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIRECT IMPACT.
97% of your donations go directly to supporting children that need care.
$1.23M
11,200
Dollars funded for treatment/
therapy
Therapy Sessions paid for to date
225
Children assisted
125
Children graduated
*NUMBERS AS OF JUNE 1, 2023
YOUR GIFTS AT WORK
JENNIFER B., PROVIDER
"The Nolan Robison Foundation has provided many of our hardworking families the opportunity to start or continue treatment for their children. The hope and support the Foundation provides is immeasurable to these hardworking families who only want the best for their children struggling with depression, anxiety, and AD/HD.
ANONYMOUS PARENT
My children are blessed to have the help of the Nolan Robison Foundation. The Robisons have used the tragedy of losing their loving son to help individuals in need. Access to quality mental health services is very limited and expensive. Because of the foundation, my son and daughter are able to receive proper services to fit their mental health needs. A huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders, and I will always have sincere gratitude for John Robison and his family. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the opportunity for help and healing.
JESSICA G., PROVIDER
“I am so grateful for the Nolan Robison Foundation. Their mission to help fund treatment for young people with depression, anxiety, and ADHD makes therapy accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to afford it. Their grants have provided relief and hope to children and their families in my practice.
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