Our Founding Story
Our origin story is one of grief harnessed into hope – a story of community coming together to remind us that we don’t need to go through life’s moments alone. Born from real life experiences, Sprout Society was created to make space: space to talk, space to make, space to do and space to be.
The Russell J. Efros Foundation was formed
Following Russell’s passing from fentanyl poisoning, the Efros Family founded an organization to keep Russell’s memory alive through his love of community and collaboration.
June 1, 2018First Annual Celebration of Life Event
Over 600 people came together at the Market Hotel in Brooklyn, NY to celebrate Russell’s life and talents and to raise money to create The RJE Memorial Award Fund at Russell’s alma mater, the School of Visual Arts. The fund supports one film student’s thesis project annually.
September 1, 2018Established the Sprout Fund
The Sprout Fund was established to support creatives to work with audiences and topics relating to mental wellness and community. To date, the Sprout Fund has distributed over $80,000 to individual projects.
April 1, 2021Launched Sprout Society
The organization launched the Sprout Society initiative to provide zero cost, mental wellness peer support for all who need it based on a need from the community for mental wellness and community resources. After our community expressed a need for mental wellness resources and community, the organization appointed an Executive Director and laid down the foundational principles, structure and strategy for the new organizational initiative to provide zero cost, mental wellness peer support for all who need it. Why Sprout Society? Russell was affectionately known to his friends and family as ‘Russell Sprouts’.
March 1, 2023Hosted Inaugural Gala
Our community came together to celebrate the public launch of Sprout Society, raising over $750,000 to power the opening of our first physical site and the launch of our virtual programming.
September 1, 2023We opened our doors!
The start of the year was a big for us - the opening of our first physical Sprout Society center! Located in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, the space is open and thriving with community activations and peer group events.
January 1, 2024