by creating access to high-quality mental and behavioral health services through targeted local, state and national grantmaking.
The Toler Foundation is grounded in values of empowerment, inclusivity, and personal opportunity. With a primary focus on mental and behavioral health direct services and supports for children and adults, specifically veterans and front-line workers, and related interests in education and childhood development. The Foundation achieves its mission by partnering with like-minded organizations to achieve direct impact through enhanced access. Based in Southwest Florida, the Toler Foundation maintains interests locally, as well as at the state and national levels, preferring to be inspired by mission alignment and impact rather than defined by geography.
Debbie and Bill Toler formalized their foundation after witnessing what they observed to be severe inequities in awareness of and support for certain social needs. They first began to refine their focus around mental and behavioral health, with a stated commitment to Building Healthy Minds as one of their core value pillars. The Tolers believe, though their own personal experiences as well as deep community involvement, that concerns related to mental and behavioral health, education, and childhood development are nearly universally relatable, and fundamental to a life that is full, successful, and enjoyable.
To that end, the Toler Foundation currently supports initiatives by and through organizations including: Lee Health and the Golisano Children’s Hospital, Pace Center for Girls, Michael Phelps Foundation, Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground, and Guadalupe Center.
