M2G Ventures, a North Texas-based real estate investment and development firm, recently hosted its sixth annual fundraising gala, Art of the Mind, raising more than $500,000 for M2G’s Mental Health Initiative (MHI) through an auction featuring art and experiences.
The funds benefit the University of Texas Southwestern’s Center for Depression Research & Clinical Care (CDRC) in Tarrant County and The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation (JEHF) and its Summit for Research. More than 300 guests attended the event, which was hosted on Nov. 6 at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.
M2G’s cofounders, Jessica Miller Essl and Susan Miller, launched the M2G Mental Health Initiative (MHI) in 2019 following the loss of a loved one to bipolar disorder. MHI earned 501(c)(3) status in 2022 to change the way the world diagnoses and treats mental illness. Since it began, the initiative has raised more than $2 million.
“MHI’s philanthropic beneficiaries are notable institutions doing great work, and these are long-term partnerships for us,” Miller said. “Their work and research-based care set the standard for future partnerships. We are growing and evolving MHI and understand the importance of backing change-makers. We are their biggest cheerleaders and can’t wait to see how we can support them in the future.”
One beneficiary, the UT Southwestern CDRC, brings its services, studies and resources to children and young adults in Tarrant County and across North Texas, and is nationally acclaimed for innovative research in unipolar and bipolar depression, among other advances.
The other beneficiary, JEHF, hosts an annual Summit for Research conference that brings together 20 of the world’s leading suicidologists to collaborate and determine how their work can influence JEHF programming. According to JEHF’s 2024 Impact Report, this summit contributed to broader efforts that helped achieve a 75% decrease in suicide in the schools JEHF serves.
M2G, known for integrating immersive art into its development projects, strategically partnered with local, regional and national artists to commission fine art that was auctioned during Art of the Mind’s live auction.
Included in the auction lineup were works by well-known artists Katie Murray, Knox Kronenberg, Captain Casual, Lindsey Meyer, Erin Davies Miller, Michael Wayne Hall, Gregory Gove, Elle Caerbert and Carroll Swenson-Roberts. Experience-based items included an exclusive culinary experience donated by Chef Tim Love, an exclusive fishing trip to the Amazon, a luxury yachting adventure launching from Miami and several more custom opportunities.
“The impact of this event grows each year because our community continues to show up with compassion, generosity and a collective passion for change,” Essl said. “The art moves us, the shared understanding inspires us, and the collective support brings us closer to transforming the way mental illness is understood and treated.”
M2G’s second annual impact wall, which honors loved ones who have lived or currently endure mental health struggles, was showcased with an interactive feature, a custom scarf made by Wild Silks. Guests had the opportunity to chainstitch their loved one’s name, initials, etc., providing a meaningful memento to honor and remember their loved ones, in partnership with W Durable Goods
Entertainment was provided by Fort Worth native Armond Vance, and a private concert by Hans Williams closed the evening.
“Art of the Mind was created from an idea that ties together our love of art with our passion to change outcomes for those living with mental illness,” said Katie Wharry, M2G’s director of social impact. “This event would not have been possible without our generous donors. We want to extend a special thank you to Simmons Bank, Winstead PC and Balfour Beatty. Through their generosity, we were able to create an evening of discussion, hope and inspiration.”
Community participation in the MHI initiative is welcome. Information about how to invest in the future of mental health, as well as more about M2G’s Mental Health Initiative, is available at the company’s social impact page.
Source: Press release
