Deadline: 21 November 2025
The Childhood Bereavement Changemaker Grief Reach Cycle (CBC) has been announced, offering competitive funding to organizations across the United States that provide bereavement support to children and families.
This initiative aims to expand and strengthen grief support services in local communities, with a particular emphasis on reaching diverse populations and addressing unmet needs. The funding program is offered twice a year, giving organizations multiple opportunities to enhance their impact and capacity.
This grant cycle emphasizes community expansion through innovation, encouraging organizations to rethink traditional service models and develop new methods that better align with the needs of grieving children and families. The grant program offers funding of up to $110,000 for organizations with a minimum annual budget of $333,000, and up to $160,000 for organizations with a minimum annual budget of $500,000.
The primary goals of this funding opportunity are to increase access to bereavement support, expand services where gaps exist, and provide tangible resources to communities coping with grief and loss. It also seeks to enhance the organizational capacity of service providers through innovative approaches that respond to the specific cultural and social needs of their communities. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how they can adapt or expand their programs to serve grieving children more effectively, whether by introducing new formats such as weekend sessions or hosting programs in more accessible community spaces.
Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status for at least three consecutive years. They must provide two of the past three years’ 990 tax returns and audited financial statements for the most recent full fiscal year. Organizations should also have at least one paid staff member and be the direct providers of children’s bereavement services. Grant requests cannot exceed 15% of the organization’s most recent fiscal year actuals. Additionally, applicants must include cultural considerations relevant to the children they serve and, if part of a larger institution, submit a dedicated program budget for their bereavement services.
Before being invited to submit a full application, organizations must successfully complete two eligibility screenings. The first, the CBC Eligibility Review, assesses the organization’s alignment with the initiative’s goals, while the second, the Financial Eligibility Review, verifies financial readiness through recent audited financial statements and budget documentation. These eligibility reviews close on November 21st, and late submissions will not be accepted.
Organizations that meet both criteria will be invited to submit a full application for the Changemaker/Grief Reach Grant Program. Those that meet only the CBC eligibility may still be included in a CBC-Only Track, offering capacity-building support without direct funding. Organizations failing to meet either criterion will not move forward in this cycle but are encouraged to apply in future rounds.
This funding opportunity represents a significant step toward building stronger, more inclusive bereavement support systems for children across the U.S. By fostering innovation and community engagement, the CBC program aims to help organizations bring hope and healing to families navigating grief and loss.
For more information, visit National Alliance for Children’s Grief.
