Skip to Main Content
Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Join us in tackling the youth mental health crisis.

The Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health is addressing one of the most urgent challenges of our time—the youth mental health crisis—by creating a groundbreaking bachelor’s-level workforce dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based mental health support for children and families. 

The Ballmer Institute’s undergraduate degree in Child Behavioral Health is the first of its kind in the nation, providing undergraduate students with the types of training typically reserved for graduate degree programs, allowing them to enter the workforce sooner and reducing barriers to entry into behavioral health professions. 

As a bold and innovative initiative, the Ballmer Institute is experiencing rapid growth and transformation. The Executive Director’s Innovation Fund is a vital resource that empowers the institute to invest in new ideasrespond to emerging opportunities, and accelerate impact – advancing its mission to transform youth mental health. 


Your gift to the Executive Director’s Innovation Fund will drive impact and growth by 


Expanding Mental Health Support for K-12 Students 
With additional investment, we can expand mental health support for K-12 students by launching a Summer Skills Camp and other skill-building programs. These initiatives will increase access to care and give students the tools to build emotional resilience and thrive. 

Preparing the Next Generation of Behavioral Health Professionals 
Through increased funding, we could expand clinical trainingstrengthen partnerships with mental health organizations, and launch a Behavioral Health Clinic, giving undergraduates real-world experience to make an immediate impact. 

Ensuring Community Voices Shape Our Work 
With expanded resources, we could enhance and sustain our collaboration with our Community Advisory BoardNational Behavioral Health Advisory Board, and Youth Advisory Board. Their input is critical to ensuring that our training program aligns with the evolving needs of youth, families, and communities, preparing our graduates to serve where they are needed most. 


Your gift helps shape the future of behavioral health by supporting the development of a new profession—the Child Behavioral Health Specialist—to meet the growing demand for accessible youth mental health support. 

Together, we can make access to high-quality mental health support a fundamental right for all children and families in Oregon and across the nation. 

Donate today and be part of this transformational initiative. 

Leaderboard
Presidential Leaderboard Challenge
Your generosity has unlocked a generous gift from UO President Karl Scholz and Melissa Scholz! This gift will be split between the programs that had the most gifts - stay tuned to see the winning teams.
Rank Prize Department Gifts
1 $5,000 Club Sports Baseball 793
2 $2,500 Club Sports Dance 670
3 $1,250 Athletics 382
4 $1,250 Duck Parents and Families 308
5 College of Education 184
Ended
$5,000
Ballmer Institute Smith Carr Challenge
We did it! This challenge gift has been unlocked thanks to YOUR support! THANK YOU!!
30 / 30 Gifts
Completed
$10,000
Ballmer Institute Tullius Challenge
We did it! This challenge gift has been unlocked thanks to YOUR support! THANK YOU!!
50 / 50 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
UO Foundation Board Trustees Los Angeles Challenge
THANK YOU Los Angeles Ducks! This challenge has been unlocked thanks to your support.
108 / 108 Donors
Completed
$5,000
UO Foundation Board Trustees Portland Challenge
THANK YOU Portland Ducks! This challenge has been unlocked thanks to your support.
370 / 370 Donors
Completed
$21,000
UO Faculty & Staff Student Support Challenge
Faculty and staff have flocked together to support students. THANK YOU!
200 / 200 Gifts
Completed
$1,500
Ballmer Institute Rodriguez Challenge
We did it! This challenge gift has been unlocked thanks to YOUR support! THANK YOU!!
15 / 15 Gifts
Completed
$10,000
Ballmer Institute Hornecker Challenge
We did it! This challenge gift has been unlocked thanks to YOUR support! THANK YOU!!
40 / 40 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
UO Foundation Board Trustees Bay Area Challenge
THANK YOU Bay Area Ducks! This challenge has been unlocked thanks to your support.
264 / 264 Donors
Completed
$5,000
UO Foundation Board Trustees NYC Challenge
THANK YOU New York Ducks! This challenge has been unlocked thanks to your support.
46 / 46 Donors
Completed
$5,000
UO Foundation Board Trustees Seattle Challenge
THANK YOU Seattle Ducks! This challenge has been unlocked thanks to your support.
119 / 119 Donors
Completed
Share on social media with #DucksGive!
Ballmer Institute Donors
Rank State Gifts
1 OR 47
2 WA 3
3 CA 2
Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at giving@uoregon.edu.