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BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)

BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) is a national nonprofit that trains, funds, and connects therapists, wellness practitioners, and community leaders to expand community-based mental health care and healing for Black communities.

BEAM trains community leaders in peer mental-health support and funds grassroots healing work, and the MacArthur Foundation backed it with a $500,000 operating grant in 2021.

You give directly to BEAM. randomcharity.com takes $0 and never touches your money.

What BEAM does

BEAM, the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, is a national nonprofit founded by Yolo Akili Robinson. It works from hub cities in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and its IRS filings list it in Culver City, California. Its stated aim is to remove the barriers Black people face in getting access to emotional and mental health care and staying connected to it, by building what it calls ecosystems of care across the U.S. and beyond.

Its work falls into a few areas. BEAM trains community leaders and professionals in peer support and healing-justice approaches. It makes grants to grassroots wellness initiatives, and it hosts monthly healing circles in Inglewood, Atlanta and online. It also publishes resources, including the Black Virtual Wellness Directory and the Psychiatric Green Book, a guide to navigating psychiatric care.

BEAM reported about $3.5 million in revenue in 2024, nearly all from contributions. In 2021 the MacArthur Foundation gave it a $500,000 two-year grant for general operations, and Charity Navigator rates it four stars. Donors can give once or monthly, or direct a gift to its Southern Healing Support Fund or Black Parent Support Fund.

Key facts

  • Holds monthly healing circles in Inglewood, Atlanta and online (BEAM site)
  • Received a $500,000 two-year general operating grant from the MacArthur Foundation in 2021 (MacArthur)
  • Publishes the Black Virtual Wellness Directory and the Psychiatric Green Book, and makes grants to grassroots wellness initiatives (BEAM site)
  • Reported $3.53M revenue in 2024, about 98% from contributions (IRS 990 via ProPublica)

Before you give

  • Donation page offers one-time and monthly gifts, plus designated gifts to the Southern Healing Support Fund and Black Parent Support Fund. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 103033, Pasadena, CA 91189-3033 (beam.community/donate).
  • BEAM's donation page states it is a 501(c)(3) and gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law; EIN 81-3138233 per IRS data on ProPublica.

Common questions

Is BEAM a legitimate charity?

Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 81-3138233, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Independent ratings — Charity Navigator: 4 of 4 stars. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.

Are donations to BEAM tax-deductible?

US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.

Where does BEAM work?

BEAM works in United States (Los Angeles and Atlanta hubs; national). It is based in Culver City, CA.

How do I donate to BEAM?

Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to BEAM's own donation page on beam.community. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.

Sources

  1. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/813138233
  2. charitynavigator.org/ein/813138233
  3. beam.community/
  4. beam.community/about/
  5. beam.community/donate/
  6. guidestar.org/profile/81-3138233
  7. macfound.org/grantee/black-emotional-and-mental-health-collective-101154
  8. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yolo_Akili

Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.

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