ABOUT BFF
WHO WE ARE
Better Feelings Foundation Leaders were tired of seeing programs cut, funding slashed, and kids left struggling. A new avenue was needed for youth in our communities to impact their mental health needs and improve their futures. We decided to create that new avenue ourselves.
After a year of dedicated planning by Iggy Michniacki, with the support of Erin Michniacki, Danielle Treat, Stacey Ziegelbauer, and Dru Girouex, Better Feelings was born in September 2025. The Foundation was created from a shared belief: that every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported.
Better Feelings Foundation exists to champion mental health awareness and to raise vital funding for children facing depression. Better Feelings is doing this by creating family and kid-friendly events and programming in the community, raising money to award college scholarships, and offering therapy funding to families that can’t otherwise afford the care.
Though we are just beginning our journey, the response has already been inspiring. In our first quarter, we raised nearly $1,000, a testament to the compassion and commitment of our growing community of supporters.
Our story is one of hope, collaboration, and determination. Together, we are building a future where children’s mental health is prioritized, resources are accessible, and awareness leads to action.
HOW THE MONEY WORKS
When starting Better Feelings Foundation, the team made it a goal to not squander the money coming in. It’s important to put the money to good use.
Any and all money that is donated to our Therapy Fund, Scholarships, or Events & Programming Fund go directly to funding the programs. Meaning, if we raise $1000 through the Therapy Fund we will award $1000 in therapy grants. All donations to the Best Friends Fund goes towards ensuring we cover administrative and operational costs. On top of that, we’re exhausting all avenues to find partners that will work with us for a great price on our promotional and marketing materials.
All of that means two things. First, it means donations don’t get tied up in inflated salaries, fancy offices, or other wasteful spending. Second, it means your decision on what fund to give to determines exactly where your money goes.
But we don’t just say it, we show it. We publish our quarterly and annual income reports on our About Us page with a detailed breakdown of funds. Rest assured, whether you give to a specific fund or our operational costs, all money donated goes towards advancing our cause and backing our mission.
YEAR ONE (2026) GOALS
LEADERSHIP
Our Board of Directors and local leadership team work to establish Better Feelings Foundation as a leading partner in adolescent mental health and a leader in the communities we serve.
VOLUNTEER
BFF is all hands on deck. Meaning, we need each and every one of you to make a difference. Check out our Volunteer Page to learn more about how you can support the mission.
THE MISSION
Better Feelings Foundation is just getting started in Boulder and Denver, Colorado but we already know where we’re going as outlined in our mission, values, strategy, and purpose.
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS
Data from the CDC, National Library of Medicine, and show that About 1 in 5 adolescents have a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition.
In 2023, more than 5.3 million adolescents ages 12-17 years (20.3% of adolescents) had a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition (anxiety, depression, or behavior/conduct problems). Anxiety was the most common condition (16.1%), followed by depression (8.4%) and behavior/conduct problems (6.3%).
Between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed mental or behavioral health conditions among adolescents increased 35 percent (from 15.0% to 20.3%).
Nearly every study conducted shows that the increase in screen time, device ownership, and access to social media amongst children has had a negative impact on mental health.
CURRENT IMPACT ON U.S. KIDS
The current administration says it will stop paying out $1 billion in federal grants that school districts across the country have been using to hire mental health professionals, including counselors and social workers.
The current administration has also removed the LGBTQ young people option on the US national suicide prevention hotline.
The current administration has cut roughly $170 million in grants that supported the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and other federal agencies.
DOCUMENTS & MINUTES
September 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes Available Upon Request
October 15, 2025 Meeting Minutes Available Upon Request
February 18, 2026 To Be Ratified
FY2024 (9/25/2025 - 9/30/2025)
FY2025 Q1 (10/01/2025 - 12/31/2025)
FY2025 Q2: Due May 2026
FY2025 Q3: Due August 2026
FY2025 Q4: Due November 2026
*Fiscal Year is October - September
FY2025: Due October 2026
BFF LOCATION
Serving Boulder and Denver, Colorado
1500 N Grant St, Ste. N
Denver CO 80203
WHAT'S IN A NAME
We thought tirelessly about what we would call this new foundation, and we knew we found the perfect name when we arrived at Better Feelings Foundation. Better Feelings is what we are all about, focusing on helping the next generation not just feel better but drive better feelings beyond them and out into the world. But it’s not just about Better Feelings, the Foundation’s abbreviation of BFF is a fun play on Best Friends Forever, something we intend to be with the families we serve, the communities we operate in, the businesses we partner with, and the many people volunteering alongside us to make a difference.
501(c)(3) DISCLOSURE
Better Feelings Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity recognized in Colorado and the United States. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Filing and goodstanding status of Better Feelings Foundation is available on Colorado Secretary of State and the IRS websites. Documentation required by Colorado and Federal law is available on the About Us page or by request. Financial disclosures, meeting minutes, and annual reports are published on the About Us page after ratification.
Better Feelings Foundation has earned Candid’s Silver Seal of Transparency for 2025 & 2026! Earning the Silver Seal signifies our commitment to accountability by showcasing our impact and services clearly.