Deadline: 30-Jun-25
The Born This Way Foundation’s Kindness in Community Fund provides grants to community-led, youth-focused organizations supporting mental health.
To help identify their next cohort of grantees, they’re inviting young people to tell them about organizations doing this important work in their country.
The foundation will provide grants to fund free, accessible, community-informed resources to support youth mental health.
The Kindness in Community Fund, a joint initiative by the Born This Way Foundation and the Cotton On Foundation, is now accepting nominations for its 2025 grant cycle. This program aims to support community-led, youth-focused organizations that provide accessible mental health resources and foster inclusive environments for young people.
Since its inception, the Kindness in Community Fund has made significant strides in supporting youth mental health worldwide. In 2024, the fund awarded $3 million to 65 organizations across ten countries, including Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States . These grants have empowered organizations to implement programs that address various aspects of youth mental health, from direct services to community-based initiatives.
Previous grant recipients have made notable contributions to youth mental health:
– Minus18 (Australia): Focuses on improving the lives and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ youth through leadership programs and community engagement .
– Sad Girls Club (USA): Aims to destigmatize mental wellness for millennial and Gen Z women, girls, and femmes of color by providing community support and resources .
– Waves for Change (South Africa): Offers surf therapy programs to youth in under-resourced communities, combining physical activity with mental health support .
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for community organizations to receive support in their efforts to enhance youth mental health services. By participating in the nomination process, individuals can help identify and uplift organizations making a meaningful impact in their communities.
Purpose
The purpose of the Kindness in Community Fund is to address unmet needs in youth mental health by supporting the organizations in countries around the world that serve them directly.
Born This Way Foundation aims to work in partnership with these organizations to learn from them and make a high impact in youth mental health. The fund seeks to simplify the process and make it as impactful as possible.
Funding Information
Grant sizes will be based on the proposals submitted, up to $150,000 USD per organization.
Eligible Countries
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.
Eligibility Criteria
- The foundation requests nominations from young people themselves, of tax-exempt organizations, non-profits, NGOs, and similar types of organizations based in the above listed countries that are focused on mental health, and:
- are informed and/or led by young people,
- are rooted in practices of community, inclusion, and equity at all levels, and
- provide free and accessible mental health resources.
For more information, visit Born This Way Foundation.
