The University of Oregon (UO) has announced a gift of more than $425 million from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of Ballmer Group, to launch the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health.

Based in Portland, the Ballmer Institute will unite the university’s top-ranked research programs, Oregon public schools and families, and community support groups in the creation and delivery of intervention and treatment programs that can be part of the daily lives of K-12 students. To that end, the institute will develop new undergraduate degree and certificate programs, subject to state approval, and provide scholarships through a $100 million endowment. Early goals call for the institute to graduate at least 200 behavioral health practitioners annually. Initial plans also call for the addition of more than 20 faculty members. 

“As a public research university, it is always important to reflect our broad role within the state and beyond,” said UO provost and senior vice president Patrick Phillips. “We naturally celebrate our core mission of education and research, but here we have an unprecedented opportunity to build upon these strengths to have an incredible impact on the world.”

“Right now, the need for behavioral health services across our country is at critical levels, and there is an opportunity to strengthen and enhance the behavioral health system so that it is set up to address every child’s needs—now and in the future,” said Connie Ballmer, a UO alumna who served on the university’s board of trustees from 2014 to 2021. “Steve and I are excited to help bring to life this institute, which can help strengthen talent and build partnerships to create long-lasting impact for Oregon’s kids and families.”

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/Bradley Buchbinder)