Best Mental Health Grants in Ohio

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on mental health access, health disparities, or education for adolescents through adults, including those in Ohio, can seek program expansion funding from the L B Research and Education Foundation. The foundation awards US $10,000 - US $75,000, with a rolling concept-paper process and a focus on underserved populations and proven, research-informed programs.

Ohio nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community organizations running mental health and related community service programs can apply for AmeriCorps Formula Grants to host AmeriCorps members. ServeOhio administers these grants to support evidence-based service projects addressing mental health, youth, poverty, and other critical needs while providing members with training and education awards.

Law enforcement drug task forces and related agencies in Ohio can seek funding to cover costs of enforcing drug laws and supporting diversion, outreach, education, prevention, harm reduction, and Quick Response Team activities. Grants from Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services help mental health, addiction, and first responder-focused initiatives connected to the RecoveryOhio initiative.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with $100,000+ budgets working on mental health and related workforce or youth development programs in Ohio can seek project support, if located where RBC Wealth Management has a business presence. RBC Foundation USA funds initiatives that build in-demand skills, increase community stability, and advance environmental sustainability.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing mental health and substance use disorders in Ohio can apply for Elevance Health Foundation’s Behavioral Health Grant to expand treatment, prevention, and early-intervention services. Programs that reduce loneliness, support whole-person health, and offer culturally relevant, scalable solutions with measurable outcomes may be especially competitive.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing adverse childhood experiences and children’s mental health can apply for Amerihealth Caritas Foundation’s project-specific grants, with awards of US $100,000 - US $150,000. Grants from Amerihealth Caritas Foundation help mental health and family service organizations in select Medicaid markets support healing behaviors, improve health care access, and empower vulnerable families.

Veterans and first responders seeking wellness, rehabilitation, or recovery support in Ohio can apply for the Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, which funds access to mental health, physical therapy, adaptive training, and holistic wellness programs. With a mission to strengthen the military-veteran community, Bob Woodruff Foundation backs evidence-based services that improve resilience and overall quality of life.

The Day-End Dough-Nation® Program by Panera Bread exemplifies community generosity through the donation of unsold bakery products to local charities. This impactful initiative supports various organizations that distribute food to those in need, including shelters, health centers, and youth programs. By partnering with thousands of non-profits nationwide, Panera Bread not only reduces food waste but also plays a crucial role in addressing hunger and promoting equality within communities.

The Dell Scholars Program, established by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, provides scholarships and support to empower students in their journey towards college graduation. It offers flexible funding for tuition, housing, and essential expenses, ensuring students can focus on their education. Alongside financial aid, scholars receive academic coaching, career guidance, and mental health resources, fostering resilience and success. Since 2004, it has helped over 6,000 scholars, including 4,500 graduates, achieve their academic goals.

Ohio PTA leaders supporting student mental health can apply for a 12‑month Healthy Minds Fellowship to deepen mental health knowledge and leadership. With a mission to strengthen family engagement, National Congress of Parents & Teachers provides active PTA leaders who have implemented the Healthy Minds program in the past three years with a US $1,500 stipend and cohort-based training.

Nonprofit organizations providing mental health, addiction, disability, senior, or patient care services in Ohio, especially Erie and Huron Counties, can seek funding for their programs and services. With a mission to support community-serving health and care initiatives, the Albert G and Olive H Schlink Foundation provides flexible grants with no preset minimum or maximum request amounts.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Ohio can seek up to US $2,499 for community health and wellness programs, including mental health initiatives, poverty reduction, and neighborhood improvements. With a mission to strengthen community well-being, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation provides quick-turnaround support grants that prioritize projects advancing community health needs and reducing health inequities.

Ohio mental health and social service professionals serving theatrical exhibition and distribution workers can access funding through Will Rogers Motion Picture for emergency financial aid and counseling. Support includes medical and equipment grants, housing and basic needs assistance, vocational rehabilitation, and ongoing stipends for eligible retired film industry members facing illness, injury, or major life events.

Nonprofit organizations providing physical or mental health programs in Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas, or Wayne Counties in Ohio can apply for support from the Austin-Bailey Health and Wellness Foundation. Funding can help improve healthcare affordability for uninsured or underinsured residents, low-income individuals, children, single parents, and seniors, and expand mental health services for individuals and families.

Eligible organizations managing crisis counseling services in the U.S., including Ohio, can apply for SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline program, with awards up to US $1,200,000 to operate a 24/7 support line. Funding supports mental health, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention for people affected by natural or human-caused disasters.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

Jeryl Salmond II Memorial Scholarship ($1,700)

This renewable scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a career in the Mental Health field. 

Patricia Schroder Memorial Scholarship

Pat had a big heart for helping others and devoted her life to assisting, teaching, and coaching students with disabilities. She worked as a special education teacher's assistant at various schools across the Evergreen School District after earning her Masters, she moved to White Salmon, Washington, where she taught at Columbia High School. In 1994, she moved back to Vancouver and accepted a teaching position at Camas High School where she taught social studies and special education. She retired in 2010 after more than 16 years with the Camas School District.

Pat had a big heart for helping others. She loved and took interest in many of her students throughout her teaching career. She was also actively involved in Special Olympics as a coach and volunteer in addition to providing temporary respite care relief for families of children with special needs.

Additionally, Pat developed a passion for politics at an early age when she first served as a government page at the Washington State Capitol during her senior year in high school. She became an active member in Washington State Democrats, where she attended state democratic caucuses and managed senatorial and legislative campaigns. She also successfully spearheaded the passage of levy and bond election campaigns to support educational programs in the Evergreen School District. Her love for politics later resulted in her running and being elected as Mayor of the city of White Salmon in 1992, where she held the post for two years. Pat enjoyed visiting Frisco, Texas to spend time with her family whenever she could.

Award Amount

2 scholarships are awarded each year. Awards will likely be between $1,000-$1,400.

The ALACRITY Research Centers, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, aim to enhance the effectiveness of mental health interventions for youth and adults. This initiative supports interdisciplinary research to develop innovative approaches for optimizing mental health care access and quality. By fostering collaborations across various fields such as behavioral science and health systems engineering, the program seeks to transform clinical practices and improve outcomes for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Cures Within Reach

Cures Within Reach is the philanthropic leader in drug, device and nutraceutical repurposing research, which has the potential to transform the lives of patients with unsolved diseases by delivering treatments that can be used in the near-term. Our focus: we find and fund proof-of-concept clinical trials that, once successful, de-risk and catalyze follow-on funding, building the clinical evidence required for regulatory approval or to support off-label use by patients everywhere.

Clinical Repurposing Research to Impact US Veterans/Military

This Request for Proposals (RFP) from Cures Within Reach (CWR) is seeking clinical repurposing trials from US-based research institutions using already approved treatments to address unmet and high-priority medical needs of US veterans and/or active US military, such as mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries. Our strongest preference is for proof of concept, pivotal, Phase I or Phase IIA clinical repurposing trials. Eligible trials may be conducted at accredited US-based academic, nonprofit and governmental research institutions and/or health systems involved with medical research, including Veterans Administration (VA) health systems and hospitals. 

Repurposed therapies must be approved and/or generally recognized as safe for human use by some regulatory agency, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Health Canada or Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, and may include drugs, devices, nutraceuticals or diagnostics, as well as combination therapies. These repurposed therapies must be tested in a new indication for which they are not already approved or used widely in clinical practice as standard of care. Repurposed therapies also may be added to current standard of care to improve patient outcomes and/or quality of life.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Madeline A. Naegle Scholarship for Mental Health Nursing

In 2018, Madeline A. Naegle, PhD, CNS-PMH, RN, BC, FAAN, a national and international nursing leader in mental health/substance abuse education, research, and practice together with NEF created this scholarship with a preference to graduate nurses specializing in mental health nursing.

The Judith G. Whitaker Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports nurses pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must have two semesters of study remaining and meet specific eligibility criteria, including a valid RN license and a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students focusing on nursing research. This scholarship reflects over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education and leadership.

The Joanne V. Pontier Scholarship, established in 2022 by Mary V. Insall, honors her sister, a dedicated emergency nurse. With a generous $50,000 donation, this scholarship supports emergency nurses pursuing graduate studies. Applicants must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and have a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students in nursing research. This scholarship aims to foster leadership in nursing and improve emergency care, ultimately saving lives and supporting families.

The Joan L. Conroy Scholarship, established in 2024, supports Ph.D. nursing students dedicated to educating future nurses. It honors Joan L. Conroy's legacy, emphasizing her love for education and nursing. Applicants must have two semesters left in their program and demonstrate a commitment to geriatric nursing and home health care. This scholarship is funded by the Nurses Educational Funds Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes nursing leadership through educational scholarships.

The Jane Eleanor Knox Scholarship, established by a $50,000 bequest from Dr. Knox, supports doctoral nursing students committed to leadership in the field. Applicants must possess a current RN license and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6 while enrolled in accredited nursing programs. Preference is given to those focusing on nursing research or organizational studies. This scholarship fosters the advancement of nursing education and leadership through financial support from Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

The Isabel McIsaac Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports master's and doctoral nursing students with a minimum GPA of 3.6. Applicants must hold a current RN license and have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Preference is given to candidates pursuing nursing research or organizational studies. This scholarship aims to promote nursing leadership and is funded solely through donations, reflecting over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education.

FY25 Veterans Treatment Court Program

Executive Summary

This NOFO will support the implementation and enhancement of veterans treatment court (VTC) operations. VTCs connect veterans who come in contact with the justice system to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD), mental health disorders (MHD), co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Funding supports service coordination, and recovery support services. VTCs integrate mandatory drug testing, incentives and sanctions, and transitional services in judicially supervised criminal court settings that have jurisdiction over veterans with behavioral health treatment needs. These courts aim to reduce recidivism and overdose fatalities, while increasing access to treatment and recovery support that leads to long-term recovery.

Category 3 supports state applicants to improve, enhance, or expand VTC services statewide. Activities include expanding treatment and services; audits of program policies and procedures; and data collection and analysis to assess program practices and track recidivism. These are intended to be one-time projects to enhance capacity that can be sustained.

Program Description

Statewide grants are available to state applicants to improve, enhance, or expand veterans treatment court services statewide. Activities include expanding treatment and services; reviewing programs’ policies and procedures; and data collection and analysis to assess program practices and track recidivism. This could include training to address staff turnover and offer operational skills updates and to expand treatment resources in locations with critical substance use needs. These are intended to be one-time projects to enhance capacity that can be sustained

The Defiance Area Foundation Grant supports various programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Defiance County. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations focused on addressing unmet community needs. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of project costs or $25,000 per organization annually. The foundation emphasizes prevention and collaboration, avoiding funding for individual grants, sectarian activities, and operating expenses of established organizations.