Sidney R. Baer, Jr., a member of the well-known family who founded the Stix Baer & Fuller department store chain, established the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation for the benefit of mental health. The Foundation which was established in 1999 is a private grant-making foundation for alleviating the suffering of the mentally ill. Upon his death in 2002, he left the balance of his Estate to the Foundation. George B. Handran and U.S. Bank, N.A. are the Co-Trustees of the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation.

Mr. Baer personally faced mental health challenges.  Throughout his life he also sought to alleviate the suffering of those afflicted with mental illness.  Mr. Baer established the Foundation to stimulate education, research, and direct care in the mental-health field with special emphasis on benefiting those individuals unable to afford proper mental health care and for whom appropriate intervention can produce positive change.

Mr. Baer was born and raised in St. Louis and then moved to Boston in the middle of his life. He was also active in supporting mental health programs in the greater New York City area. While Mr. Baer's generosity knew no geographical bounds, the Foundation's primary focus will be on applications supporting programs located in Mr. Baer's birth and adopted cities.