The inaugural Gov. Richard J. Codey Memorial Golf Outing will bring together New Jersey’s business, civic and philanthropic leaders on Aug. 31 for an afternoon of golf with a much larger purpose: advancing mental health initiatives across the state.
The event honors the late governor’s decades-long commitment to improving mental health care while raising support for the Codey Fund for Mental Health, the nonprofit he founded with his wife, Mary Jo, to expand awareness, education and access to quality care.
For Kevin Codey, the outing represents more than the launch of a new annual tradition. As president of the Codey Fund and one of the late governor and Mary Jo’s sons, Kevin, along with the board of trustees, is leading the effort to carry forward one of New Jersey’s most enduring public service legacies. The organization continues to award grants, support nonprofit partners, promote public education and work to eliminate the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking treatment.
As the Codey Fund enters its next chapter, Kevin Codey spoke about honoring his father’s legacy, the growing role of the business community in advancing mental health, and why ensuring every New Jerseyan has access to compassionate, quality care remains the organization’s highest priority.
Q: This is the first major event since your father’s passing. What emotions come with hosting the inaugural Gov. Richard J. Codey Memorial Golf Outing?
Kevin Codey: It’s emotional, but it’s also incredibly uplifting. My father spent his entire career bringing people together around causes that mattered. This outing reflects who he was. We’re celebrating his life, but more importantly we’re bringing people together to continue the work he devoted himself to for more than 50 years.
Q: Your father’s name is synonymous with mental health advocacy in New Jersey. What does it mean to now lead the organization that carries that mission forward?
Kevin Codey: It’s a tremendous responsibility. The Codey Fund isn’t about preserving a legacy for legacy’s sake. It’s about continuing the work. Every grant we make, every partnership we build and every conversation we encourage moves us one step closer to a New Jersey where people can seek mental health care without fear, stigma or barriers.
Q: What do you hope people understand about the Codey Fund that they may not know today?
Kevin Codey: Many people know us because of my father, but the Fund is focused on the future. We invest in organizations doing outstanding work across New Jersey, support education and awareness initiatives, and help connect people with resources. Our mission is to create lasting change, not just raise awareness.
Q: Why was it important to make the golf outing more than simply a fundraiser?
Kevin Codey: We wanted it to become a gathering place. New Jersey’s business leaders, healthcare professionals, nonprofits and advocates all have a role to play. If we can bring those communities together once a year around a common purpose, we’ll create partnerships that extend well beyond one afternoon on the golf course. Dad, of course, also loved to golf, terribly at that, but it was one his life’s passions.
Q: The business community has embraced this event early. You have three big sponsors in FBT Gibbons, CBRE and March Construction. Why do you think this cause resonates with employers?
Kevin Codey: Every organization is touched by mental health. Whether it’s an employee, a family member or a friend, these challenges affect all of us, and our family would like to think my father’s work contributed to that in some way. Companies increasingly recognize that supporting mental health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s part of building healthy workplaces and strong communities.
Q: What lessons did you learn from your father about leadership that guide you today?
Kevin Codey: He taught me that leadership begins with listening. He never viewed mental illness through a political lens. He listened to families, healthcare providers and people with lived experience. That’s how meaningful change happens, and it’s the approach we continue to take at the Codey Fund.
Q: Where do you see the greatest opportunities to improve mental health care in New Jersey over the next decade?
Kevin Codey: Access remains one of our biggest challenges, particularly for young people and families. We also need to continue breaking down stigma, so people seek help earlier. Prevention, education and early intervention can change lives, and those are areas where the Codey Fund intends to make a lasting impact.
Q: If someone reading this wants to honor Gov. Codey’s legacy, what’s the best way to do it?
Kevin Codey: Support the organizations doing this work. Join us at the golf outing. Become a sponsor. Volunteer. Start conversations in your workplace and your community. Learn more about our foundation at codeyfund.org. Everything helps and my father believed that every person could make a difference. That’s still true today, and that’s how his legacy will continue to grow.
About the Codey Fund for Mental Health: The Codey Fund for Mental Health is a nonprofit organization founded by Richard and Mary Jo Codey to promote awareness, education and access to quality mental health care throughout New Jersey. Through grants, advocacy and public outreach, the fund supports organizations and initiatives that improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. To learn more, visit: https://www.codeyfund.org/.
For event registration, sponsorship opportunities or additional information, contact Joanne Tobia at 973-325-9650 or [email protected].
