Largest grant in organization’s history will expand mental health, wellness, and educational resources for family caregivers
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (October 13, 2026) — Royal Neighbors of America®, a life insurance organization, has awarded a $20,000 Nation of Neighbors℠ grant to BrainCharge, a Dallas-based nonprofit helping family caregivers of individuals impacted by brain-related trauma, injury or illness access the knowledge, resources and support they need to care for themselves while caring for their loved ones.
The award is the largest grant BrainCharge has received since its founding in 2021.
Founder Vidya Ayyr’s passion for supporting caregivers stems from her own experience receiving care. During that time, her mother balanced caregiving across generations, caring for Ayyr while also supporting her grandparents—all while working and managing the demands of everyday life.
Watching her mother navigate those responsibilities helped Ayyr recognize how easily caregivers’ own needs can become secondary to the people they support. That experience shaped her belief that caring for caregivers is essential to strengthening families and communities.
“Caregivers can become so focused on the person they’re caring for that they lose sight of their own health and their own needs,” Ayyr said. “When you care for the caregiver, you strengthen the whole family.”
BrainCharge provides mental health and self-care workshops, education and wellness programming to help caregivers recognize their needs and develop tools to support their well-being.
The Royal Neighbors grant will help expand these programs and fund a library of short microlearning videos and educational resources caregivers can access when they need practical information and support. The organization will also gather caregiver feedback and stories to help guide future programming.
Although BrainCharge began in Dallas, its virtual programming now reaches caregivers nationwide, with participants joining from as far away as Germany. Through accessible education and community connection, the organization aims to help caregivers feel supported rather than navigate their responsibilities alone.
For Ayyr, the work is about recognizing the people who often put everyone else first.
“You are more than enough. You are doing enough. You are more than doing enough,” she said.
The award is part of Royal Neighbors of America’s annual Nation of Neighbors℠ program, which recognizes community leaders making a meaningful difference for women and girls and provides grant funding to help expand their impact.
“As a life insurance organization, Royal Neighbors’ core belief is that when we care for those who care for others, we strengthen entire communities,” said Zarifa Reynolds, CEO and president of Royal Neighbors of America. “That’s why we call this program ‘Nation of Neighbors.’ Brain Charge embodies this belief, and we’re proud to support its mission to ensure caregivers feel seen, supported, and empowered.”
About BrainCharge
BrainCharge is a Dallas-based nonprofit serving caregivers of individuals impacted by brain-related trauma, injury or illness. Through education, mental health resources, wellness programming and community connection, BrainCharge works toward a world where caregivers are uplifted, valued, equipped and recharged.
About Royal Neighbors of America
Founded in 1895 by nine women, Royal Neighbors of America was among the first organizations to make life insurance accessible to women. Today, the organization remains committed to its mission of Insuring Lives, Supporting Women, and Serving Communities℠.
Royal Neighbors members experience Insurance with a Difference℠ through life insurance and annuity products, opportunities to give back in their communities, and benefits that support financial and personal well-being.
Royal Neighbors holds an “A” (Excellent) rating from AM Best for financial strength and its ability to meet ongoing obligations to certificate holders. In 2025, the organization received its ninth Great Place to Work certification. In 2026, it was recognized by Forbes and Statista as one of the World’s Best Insurance Companies. For more information, visit royalneighbors.org.
Media Contact
Marie Young
Director, Marketing & Communications
Royal Neighbors of America
Marie.Young@royalneighbors.org