Impact
Stories from the Field
#HalfTheStory
Youth | Community
When the Tracy Family Foundation sought to better understand youth mental health needs in West Central Illinois, Mindful Philanthropy recommended a lasting investment in digital wellbeing.
Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike counties make up one of the most rural corners of Illinois, and one of its most under-resourced. When Mindful Philanthropy studied the region's landscape for youth mental health support, it found almost no non-clinical programming addressing digital wellbeing or access challenges faced by rural communities.
In September 2022, Mindful Philanthropy recommended #HalfTheStory's SocialMediaU curriculum to the Tracy Family Foundation, built for exactly the kind of digital-wellbeing and stigma-reduction work the region lacked. The foundation has funded the organization every year since, growing its support from an initial $98,755 grant in 2023 to roughly $225,000 committed to #HalfTheStory to date.
“Mindful Philanthropy worked alongside us as a true partner. As an objective guide, they helped us develop a big picture strategy and identify specific focus areas to impact mental health in Illinois.”
Jean Buckley | President, Tracy Family Foundation
That renewed funding let #HalfTheStory grow deliberately rather than in one jump, preparing them and supporting them consistently through accelerated funding and reach in the coming years.
What the funding made possible
Consistent early support: Since this early funding in 2023, #HalfTheStory has received support from major funders and wider interest and recognition of their programs.
Steadily growing reach: from 4 schools in the program's first year with TFF's support to 14 schools and more than 900 students in 2025-26
Measurable student outcomes: 76% of students say they'd recommend SocialMediaU to a peer, and 23% show measurable gains in “digital flourishing” (org-reported, reflects all funding sources, not TFF-specific)
What began as one recommendation for a region with few resources is becoming a lasting foundation: a growing network of schools where rural students learn to build a healthier relationship with technology, backed by a funder committed to seeing that work reach even more of them.
Youth mental health is one of Mindful Philanthropy’s Flourish Together priorities. Learn more about Youth & Their Support Systems.
Explore #HalfTheStory’s work by visiting their website.