Mission & Values
Mission-Driven,
Values-Guided
Our commitment to being mission-driven and values-guided ensures every philanthropic decision we make stays true to our purpose and creates lasting, meaningful impact.
Mission
Esler Family Foundation is committed to healing minds and strengthening spirits. We achieve this mission in partnership with organizations worldwide working in our focus areas of mental health, youth opportunity, and economic mobility. These key funding pillars are where we hope to create meaningful, lasting change.
Mental Health
We prioritize mental health services, research, and education to reduce stigma and ensure equitable access for underserved communities. We believe that mental health impacts the ability to engage and achieve, and is closely interconnected and foundational to youth opportunity and economic mobility.
Youth Opportunity
We invest in a dynamic and equitable future by expanding access to educational and supplemental programs, creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, gain support, and reach their full potential.
Economic Mobility
We support strategies that address barriers to wealth equity and create pathways for all people to build sustainable livelihoods, enhance their quality of life, and contribute to a vibrant economy.
Values
Our values inform all that we do, providing vital guidance and direction for our giving priorities and partnerships.
Trust-Based Philanthropy
We hope to build collaborative relationships that prioritize open and honest communication, mutual trust and respect, and shared learning and vision. We believe that trust and accountability are interwoven; nonprofits need to be able to use funds with discretion and agility to effectively respond to the needs of the communities they serve. Unrestricted giving and multi-year gifts provide flexibility to allocate resources to where they will have the greatest impact, allowing organizations to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and emerging challenges. This approach leads to more impactful partnerships.
Upstream Approaches
We favor approaches that tackle root causes. We believe that to create lasting change in our community and around the world, we must move beyond addressing symptoms and instead focus on preventing problems before they arise. This means we prioritize initiatives that target the policies and structures that create unequal access to resources, opportunities, and well-being. By focusing on these systemic issues, we can achieve the greatest possible impact, creating a more equitable world for everyone.
Inspiring Generosity
We provide philanthropic leadership to encourage giving. We understand that our role extends beyond simply providing funds; we want to help our partners expand their reach and impact. To achieve this, we utilize powerful incentives, such as early funding and matching grants. These tools are designed to help organizations leverage our initial investment to connect with new donors and motivate current supporters to increase their commitments. By doing this, we help our partners reach their fundraising goals faster and build long-term momentum, creating a broader and more sustainable community of support.
