American Endowment Foundation (AEF) Awards Two $100,000 Grants to Advance Youth Behavioral and Mental Health in Northeast Ohio

Grants to Child Guidance & Family Solutions and Fieldstone Farm reflect AEF’s continued commitment to supporting children’s mental wellness across the region.

HUDSON, OHIO (July 16, 2025)—American Endowment Foundation (AEF), one of the nation’s largest independent donor-advised fund (DAF) sponsors, today announced that its Philanthropic Council has awarded two $100,000 grants to Child Guidance & Family Solutions (CGFS) and Fieldstone Farm. This marks the second year of grantmaking for the Council, whose mission is to promote, advance, and protect the education, health, and well-being of children in Northeast Ohio.

The 2025 grantees were selected based on their longstanding commitment to serving vulnerable youth populations and their ability to scale programs that improve the behavioral and mental well-being of young people across Summit, Portage, and Cuyahoga counties. AEF presented CGFS and Fieldstone Farm with ceremonial checks at each organization to mark the occasion.

“We are proud to support organizations like Child Guidance & Family Solutions and Fieldstone Farm, whose work addresses both the immediate and long-term behavioral and mental health needs of children,” said Paula Hogan, Chief People & Culture Officer.

“These grants are more than financial contributions—they represent our commitment to building a healthier, more resilient future for children throughout the region. By supporting high-impact programs, we aim to create meaningful long-term change in the lives of young people.”

Child Guidance & Family Solutions, founded in 1939, provides community-based mental and behavioral health services to children, teens, and families. A key program, Building Resiliency in Children (BRIC), focuses on social and emotional learning for elementary students, helping them develop essential skills for academic and personal success. The AEF grant will enable CGFS to expand BRIC to additional schools in Summit County, with an expected reach of more than 600 new students in the 2025-2026 academic year.

“We are truly grateful to the American Endowment Foundation for their generous gift,” expressed Karen Talbott, retired CGFS President and CEO. “Right now, the need for our BRIC program is more critical than ever. Local classrooms are facing a significant rise in behavioral issues, and the impact on our children’s education is profound. Research shows that the foundation laid in those early years is crucial for future academic and life successes.”

Cassi Galloway, CGFS President and CEO added, “That’s where the BRIC program steps in. It’s designed to empower children and teachers, equipping them with essential lifelong skills like problem-solving, social confidence, and the ability to forge friendships. This means happier classrooms and brighter futures for our kids.”

Fieldstone Farm, based in Chagrin Falls, has been offering equine therapy since 1978. The center uses horses as therapeutic partners to help individuals, particularly children, with emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges. Over the years, the organization has grown to serve approximately 1,000 students annually and is recognized as one of the largest and most respected equine therapy centers in North America. The AEF grant will support the center’s efforts to expand its therapy services, ensuring more children in Northeast Ohio gain access to alternative impactful therapies.

“As the mental health needs of children continue to rise, so does the need for alternative therapies to healing,” said Lynnette Stuart, CEO of Fieldstone Farm. “Thanks to the generous support of AEF, we will be able to support and expand our program, reaching hundreds of youths with life-changing equine-assisted therapy. These funds will help us provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can build confidence, resilience and hope.”

AEF’s Philanthropic Council has pledged to award $1 million over five years to nonprofit organizations supporting the education, health, and well-being of children and youth in Northeast Ohio. Through thoughtful grantmaking and community partnerships, the Council continues to build a network of nonprofits dedicated to helping young people thrive.

“Our goal is to fund programs that not only address immediate needs, but also build long-term capacity for positive change,” said Hogan. “By investing in organizations like CGFS and Fieldstone Farm, we’re working to ensure every child in Northeast Ohio has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

For more information on the AEF Philanthropic Council, visit https://www.aefonline.org/the-aef-philanthropic-council-2025/.

###

ABOUT AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION (AEF):

Established in 1993, American Endowment Foundation (AEF) is one of the nation’s largest independent donor-advised fund sponsors with $8.3 billion in assets under management. AEF is a mission-motivated organization focused on expanding philanthropy led by a people-driven culture that results in a best-in-class client experience. To learn more, visit www.aefonline.org

ABOUT CHILD GUIDANCE & Family Solutions (CGFS)

Founded in 1939, CGFS is a mental and behavioral health agency serving children and families in Northeast, Ohio. The organization employs evidence-based practices and serves more than 8,000 clients through treatment, prevention, and consultation services each year. Services include individual, family and group outpatient counseling; prevention services for all ages; early childhood education; consulting and training for childcare centers to reduce the number of students expelled from preschool and promote kindergarten readiness; psychiatric assessment and medication management; programs for the early diagnosis and treatment of psychosis; school-based therapy and therapeutic behavioral services/case management; home-based therapy; and, intensive therapy for youth with co-occurring disorders (both mental health and substance use). For more information visit cgfs.org.

ABOUT FIELDSTONE FARM

Fieldstone Farm is one of the largest and most respected therapeutic equine centers in the country, serving approximately 1,000 students annually. Our therapy horses help people of all ages, with a variety of emotional, physical and cognitive challenges, reach goals they never thought possible. Since our founding in 1978, we have helped tens of thousands of people improve their emotional and physical well-being. To learn more, visit www.fieldstonefarm.org.

Media Contacts:

AEF
Kelly McGrath, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
kellymcgrath@aefonline.org

CGFS
Beth Boggins, Development and Communications Consultant
boggb@cgfs.org

Fieldstone Farm
Elizabeth Krouse, Communications Manager
ekrouse@fieldstonefarm.org