The Karen Phillips Mental Health Impact grant honors the legacy of Karen Phillips by empowering local schools, youth groups, nonprofits, and community leaders to design and implement mental health awareness and education projects. These projects aim to promote resilience, connection, and overall well-being throughout Grinnell.

This mini-grant program is a pilot initiative of the Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium and offers a flexible funding opportunity to support innovative, community-driven ideas. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded on a rolling basis, as funds are available.

Karen first worked as a counselor at the former Poweshiek County Mental Health Center before finally becoming the elementary school counselor serving the three elementary schools in Grinnell. Her education students often called her “The I-Care Cat Lady” because of a cat puppet she often used when teaching in the classroom with students beginning in kindergarten.