AACAP's mission is to promote the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families through research, training, prevention, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment and to meet the professional needs of child and adolescent psychiatrists throughout their careers.

Where Most Needed A donation “Where Most Needed” supports all of AACAP’s initiatives, and gives us the greatest flexibility to direct your contribution where it will have the biggest impact.

International Fund The international medical community has contributed significantly to best practices in effectively treating children with mental illnesses. By recognizing and investing in the work of our international colleagues, your donation to the AACAP International Fund will help us tackle the biggest barrier to access to services: a global shortage of child psychiatrists. It costs $2,500 to sponsor a travel scholarship for one international student or resident to attend the Annual Meeting and be mentored by an AACAP member.

Workforce Development Fund The average wait for a child to see a child and adolescent psychiatrist is seven and a half weeks; compared with two weeks for an adult to see a general psychiatrist. This deficit in our workforce has a devastating impact on children in need of treatment. The AACAP Medical Student Fellowship program helps eliminate the CAP deficit by encouraging the best and brightest young medical minds to pursue careers in child and adolescent psychiatry. It costs $3,500 to sponsor one medical student in a 12-week fellowship.

E. James Anthony Fund This fund is used to provide travel support for the president of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions to attend the AACAP Annual Meeting.

Marilyn B. Benoit, MD Child Maltreatment Mentorship Fund This fund heightens interest and awareness in the areas of child welfare, foster care, child maltreatment prevention/intervention and provides opportunities for experiential learning in these areas.

Drs. Gabrielle and Harold Carlson Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Award Fund This fund was created to promote and support mentored research in pediatric psychopharmacology with the goal of growing the field of child and adolescent psychiatrists engaged in psychopharmacology research. Gifts made through November 30, 2022 will be matched up to $50,000.

Leatherman-Ritvo Endowment Fund for the Advancement of Psychodynamic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. This fund, created in honor of Martin Drell, MD, Samuel Ritvo, MD, and Lucille B. Ritvo, Ph.D., funds two components: the AACAP Psychodynamic Faculty Initiative (PsyFI) and the Leatherman-Ritvo Psychodynamic Projects. PsyFI, the psychodynamic faculty development initiative, is a mentorship program for early and midcareer faculty teaching psychodynamics. The Leatherman-Ritvo Psychodynamic Projects provide financial support to projects consistent with the Fund’s founding goal of advancing psychodynamic psychiatry within our discipline.

Jeanne Spurlock, MD Lecture and Award on Diversity and Culture Fund  This fund was created to acknowledge outstanding contributions that advance the understanding of diversity and culture in the US and the world as it pertains to mental health.

1953 Society The 1953 Society honors and thanks those members and friends of AACAP who have arranged a bequest or estate gift to the Academy. There is no minimum pledge required to become a member. Please call us at 202-966-7300 ext. 113, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Life Members Fund The Life Members Fund supports medical students and residents interested in a career as child and adolescent psychiatrists with travel scholarships to AACAP’s Annual Meeting. At the meeting, they are mentored by Life Members, our most senior members. Since 2010, 100 medical students and residents have been supported by your donations. It costs $1,325 to sponsor a travel grant to the Annual Meeting for CAP Medical Students and Residents.

Campaign for America's Kids The Campaign for America’s Kids (CFAK) funds projects that promote quality mental health services and treatment for children and adolescents with mental illness, through Education, Stigma Reduction, and Workforce Development initiatives.

Elaine Schlosser Lewis Fund The Elaine Schlosser Lewis (ESL) Fund encourages innovative research in the areas of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and learning disabilities. It is through this research that physicians and mental health experts can improve the current diagnostic tools and treatment options for ADHD. It costs $15,000 to sponsor one ESL Pilot Research Award.

Virginia Q. Anthony Fund Created to honor the service of AACAP’s retired Executive Director, the Virginia Q. Anthony Fund underwrites the annual Virginia Q. Anthony Outstanding Woman Leader Award, which celebrates the achievements of female CAPs who have had a profound impact on their field. It costs $2,000 to sponsor a Virginia Q. Anthony Outstanding Woman Leader Award.

AACAP Endowment Fund A gift to the AACAP Endowment is a permanent financial investment in the future and stability of AACAP. The AACAP Endowment exists to fund important programs that support AACAP's mission for current and future generations.

To learn more about AACAP's charitable funds please contact the Development Department at 202. 966.7300 ext. 113 or development@aacap.org.

Thank you to all our donors! AACAP greatly appreciates your support!