Oliver's Fund Grants

Oliver’s Fund was created by family and friends to honor the life of Oliver Zlonis who graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 2002. Oliver was 19 when he died by suicide.

Since 2004, Oliver's Fund has donated more than $47,000 to support the mental health and wellness of students in the Mahtomedi Public Schools. Initially, the primary focus of Oliver’s Fund was to identify students who may be in need of support by funding depression screenings in the high school health classes and helping students and staff learn about symptoms and warning signs.  Oliver’s Fund has also provided funding for speakers, dramatic presentations for students, workshops for parents, and staff development on topics such a stress, grief and loss, trauma, facing adversity, substance abuse, and bullying.  In Spring 2014, Oliver’s Fund was a sponsor for a student led 5K to support Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE).  In recent years, as a more all-inclusive understanding of mental health and wellness has emerged, our funding has been directed to curriculum and materials that nurture social-emotional development, self-regulation skills, and resilience as building blocks for the success of students of all ages.

Grants from Oliver’s Fund are awarded to projects which increase awareness of the critical issues of depression and suicide, reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, and help create an environment where young people in Mahtomedi feel able to connect and contribute to the community. Staff of Mahtomedi Public Schools may apply for an Oliver's Fund grant.

GUIDELINES FOR FUNDING

The fund supports activities which increase awareness of the critical issue of youth depression and suicide, reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, and create an environment where young people feel able to connect and contribute to the community.

Priority will be given to projects that reflect current best practices and coordinate with other programs in the school and community to support youth mental health and wellness.
  
While other MAEF grants typically only support activities that happen during the school day, Oliver’s Fund accepts applications for evening programs for families and provides funds for mental wellness activities of student-led groups.
   
Grant Applications for Oliver’s Fund will be reviewed by an advisory committee consisting of a representative from the MAEF Board of Directors, the Zlonis Family, a mental health professional from the community, and one other community member familiar with local mental health initiatives.  

Individuals and groups receiving funds from Oliver’s Fund are requested to provide a written summary at the conclusion of the activity or project (a form will be provided). 

Foundation policy and Internal Revenue Service regulations require that funds be returned to the Foundation for activities that are not completed.