Mind has received the largest single donation in its 80-year history, the mental health charity has announced, which will be “semi-unrestricted” and verified through blockchain.
The charity received a $10m (£7.5m) donation from philanthropist, entrepreneur and global investor Dale W. Wood – via his firm Dale Ventures – to support its work over the next decade.
Wood is founder and chair of the global venture capital firm Dale Ventures, which invests in global companies across the finance, technology, real estate and consumer sectors, and has stakes in UK-based tech firms.
His donation is “semi-unrestricted”, which the charity said would give it the flexibility to channel the funding towards the areas that will have the greatest impact for people with mental health problems.
The donation will be subject to blockchain verification, which Mind said would offer donors and recipients a clear understanding of how the funds have been applied to benefit those in need.
A spokesperson for Dale Ventures said: “It is a huge honour for Dale to support Mind over the upcoming years, through this donation. Dale’s hope is that, by working together, we can achieve better for people living with a mental health problem.
“This is a cause close to Dale’s heart, and as many people know from life experiences, no community is untouched by mental health challenges.”
‘Extraordinary commitment’
Mind said that the donation had come at a time of growing need to improve mental support, “with waiting lists at an all-time high and systems at breaking point”.
Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, added: “This extraordinary commitment from Dale Wood comes at a time when too many people are struggling to access mental health support […]
“We must also be honest about the financial challenges we face in the charity sector. Rising costs, unpredictable income, and growing demand since the pandemic have seen mental health services stretched like never before, including across the local Mind network.
“The generosity of supporters like Dale Wood shows real confidence in our direction of travel at Mind.
“It empowers us to respond and adapt – to keep investing where it matters most, campaigning for change, strengthening our network of local Minds, and making sure people have access to accurate mental health information.”
In its most recent accounts, Mind said that it was planning to run one additional year of deficit amid “financial challenges”.
According to Mind’s page on the Charity Commission website, the charity’s annual expenditure has exceeded its annual income for the last three financial years.
In the financial year ending 31 March 2025, the charity recorded a total annual income of £63.7m against an expenditure of £68.4m.
