Deadline: 10-Jul-25
The Decolonizing Wealth Project has launched a new culturally responsive care fund focused on supporting and expanding mental health care for youth in the United States, prioritizing access for LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color.
Decolonizing Wealth Project seeks to nurture healing, belonging, and empowerment for youth. They will prioritize initiatives that are community-led or engage young people directly in decision-making processes and efforts. Examples of meaningful youth leadership may be in staffing, youth steering committees, youth boards, and processes that generate regular feedback from youth.
Priority Areas
- Applications will be accepted across the following three priority areas:
- Community-Based Programs
- Increasing access to culturally responsive mental health care by providing services in places where youth live, learn, and play (e.g. in schools, churches, community centers, particularly in rural areas, etc). (Note: in the case of partnerships between community-based organizations and clinics/health care system units, grants will be awarded to the community-based nonprofit).
- Youth-led organizations that provide programs to improve mental wellbeing outcomes, such as peer support, skill-building, and youth advocacy. These programs should create spaces where youth can connect, share experiences, and learn coping strategies, while advocating for changes in policies and practices that impact their mental well-being.
- Cultural-Based Healing
- Innovative culturally relevant delivery models that promote connection to belonging, culture, and improve mental health care. This may include programs that use creative expression such as: language, movement, art, music, dance, and theater as therapeutic tools to explore identity, process trauma, and build resilience.
- Storytelling projects that amplify communal and personal stories of mental health journeys to foster solidarity and representation.
- Heritage-based wellness programs that integrate cultural practices, rituals, and spirituality into mental health approaches for young people.
- Awareness and Advocacy Campaigns
- Community-based education programs tailored to equip youth, families, providers, and educators with tools to recognize and address mental health challenges.
- Campaigns that challenge cultural and systemic stigmas around mental health care and identity, and work to expand access to services and support, as well as post-traumatic growth and joy.
- Support for organizations working towards systemic change in mental health services and care delivery to dismantle inequities in mental health care systems impacting youth; Priority given to programs that train youth as advocates for systemic change in mental health policies and systems.
- Community-Based Programs
Funding Information
- The YMHF fund will invest at least $15 million in grants over the next 3 years, for a minimum of $5 million annually.
Uses of the Funds
- Most funding is general operating support; Some Opportunity Grants may be project-specific. All funding must be used for charitable purposes in alignment with the goals of the fund.
- General operating support funds may be used for advocacy, direct service, or other organizational priorities such as staffing, travel, supplies, etc.
- Grant funds may not be used for subsidies or regranting to other organizations.
- Qualifying organizations are only eligible for one grant per organization.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and Federally Recognized Native American Tribes are eligible. Non-Federally Recognized Tribes are eligible to apply under a 501(c)(3) organization. Fiscally-sponsored projects under a 501(c)(3) entity are eligible.
- U.S.-based organizations only.
- They value representative leadership and encourage organizations with leadership from BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities to apply.
- Proposals demonstrating youth engagement and voice in strategy and program development will be prioritized. Organizations should have a track record of supporting youth from a variety of backgrounds, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Private non-operating foundations and individuals are not eligible.
For more information, visit DWP.