 legacy: Marietta College graduate, Delta Tau Delta member, and catalyst for global mental health advocacy through The Bauer Fund and #Grantspeed kindness movement.){kind=link}
Grant Michael Bauer (b. 1989; d. September 5, 2014). An American college graduate and advocate for individuals with disabilities whose tragic suicide at age 25 catalyzed a global movement promoting mental health awareness and random acts of kindness.
Born in Marietta, Ohio, to William Michael Bauer and Mary Ella Bauer, Grant attended Marietta College, graduating in 2012 with a degree in Mass Media. As a member of the Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ) fraternity, he forged lasting bonds with peers who later perpetuated his legacy of compassion.
Bauer’s life, though brief, was characterized by profound empathy—particularly toward marginalized communities—and his family’s subsequent activism established enduring initiatives like The J. Luce Foundation Bauer Fund and the #Grantspeed campaign. His story underscores critical gaps in mental health support systems while inspiring international charitable actions.
Early Life and Education
Grant Bauer was raised in Marietta alongside his sister, Madison E. Bauer (later Ryser). His parents noted his early inclination toward inclusivity, often assisting people with intellectual and physical disabilities without hesitation.
This compassion extended into adulthood; he frequently spent his paychecks purchasing Vienna sausages for unhoused individuals, building genuine relationships with them—a practice his family discovered only after his death.
At Marietta College, Bauer joined Delta Tau Delta, where his charismatic personality made him a beloved figure. Classmates recalled his wit, love for music and films, and trademark optimism. Despite his outwardly cheerful demeanor, Bauer grappled with severe anxiety and depression after graduation—struggles his family believes were exacerbated by insufficient mental health resources.
Advocacy Legacy and The Bauer Fund
In response to Bauer’s suicide, his parents established The Bauer Fund in 2015 under the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation. This initiative funds microgrants, research, and programs focused on mental health, suicide prevention, and disability support. Key recipients include Operation Never Forgotten (aiding veterans) and Disability Rights Ohio.
The fund also anchors GRANT Day (September 5, coinciding with the United Nation‘s International Day of Charity), which expands into Grant Week (September 5–12). The acronym “GRANT” signifies “Genuine Respectful Actions Never Terminate,” encouraging global participation in #Grantspeed—documented random acts of kindness (RAKs). In its inaugural year, over 5,000 RAKs were logged, ranging from assisting elderly neighbors to funding strangers’ meals.
Commemoration and Cultural Impact
Bauer’s fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, institutionalized his legacy by performing annual kindness initiatives during National Suicide Prevention Month. In 2021, they designated their facility a “safe space” for mental health discussions. His family curates a memory quilt crafted from his T-shirts and swim trunks, symbolizing his vibrant spirit.
Tributes emphasize Bauer’s belief that “life goes on”—a phrase tattooed on his wrist—and his rejection of societal stigma toward disability and mental illness. Marietta College memorializes him through scholarships and campus events, while the #Grantspeed movement continues inspiring viral altruism, documented internationally via social media.