Philosophy’s hope & grace initiative is the first in the beauty world to take on the support of women affected by mental illness – and the award-winning actress Glenn Close is committed to helping promote the cause.

Through the initiative, philosophy will dedicate 1% of all sales across all products to effective community-based organizations working to empower women through the promotion, prevention and treatment of mental health.

The program has launched this month on philosophy.com and will become integrated into all philosophy retail channels (online, in-store, and televised) in January 2015. Within five years, the hope & grace initiative is projected to donate more than $10 million toward the cause.

The hope & grace initiative created the Hope & Grace Fund, and the first grant is designated to Bring Change 2 Mind, a national anti-stigma organization co-founded by Close. The organization’s mission is to raise awareness and work to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

Close commented:

“When my sister, who lives with bipolar disorder, had the courage to ask for help, it started the conversation in our family. Talking openly is the first step in ending stigma and discrimination and will lead to treatment and save lives. philosophy’s hope & grace initiative is an inspiring, ground-breaking example of ways to improve how society views mental illness.”

The words “hope” and “grace” have become synonymous with philosophy, and the Initiative was named after the brand’s two best-selling products, Hope in a Jar moisturizer and Amazing Grace fragrance (shown).

Photos: Glenn Close in a still from 2011, starring in season 4 of the Emmy-winning legal drama, Damages, on DirecTV; Hope in a jar; one of the fragrances in the Grace collection.