Best Mental Health Grants in Connecticut

Larger, established U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on mental health, health access, or education programs for adolescents, post-secondary students, or adult learners in Connecticut and other eligible states can seek support for expansion or continuation of proven programs. The L B Research and Education Foundation awards US $10,000 - US $75,000, beginning with a 300–500 word concept paper and rolling review.

Connecticut mental health and public safety organizations can receive funding to deliver crisis intervention team (CIT) training statewide for law enforcement, first responders, dispatchers, and behavioral health clinicians. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides up to US $306,100 to qualified CIT-trained entities; an electronic LOI and attendance at a mandatory bidder’s conference are required.

Connecticut mental health and education providers can seek funding to deliver supported education services for adults with mental health or co-occurring substance use disorders. Focused on integrated educational support, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services offers US $170,000 to maintain a high-quality, statewide Supported Education network that helps participants pursue their educational goals.

Connecticut mental health and addiction service providers can seek funding to operate 23-hour Rapid Evaluation, Stabilization and Treatment (REST) crisis centers in rural Regions 3 and 5. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides up to US $3,000,000 to expand adult crisis stabilization, offering walk-in, police drop-off, and referral-based care in trauma-informed settings.

With a mission to support community programs, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation provides Connecticut 501(c)(3) organizations with US $1,000 - US $15,000 for program-focused work in health and human services, including mental health, education, environment, and community vitality. Eligible nonprofits must operate where Dominion Energy serves or has significant business interests and apply during spring or fall cycles.

Small 501(c)(3) organizations offering mental health or emotional support services in Connecticut and the broader Northeast can apply for grants up to US $2,500 to relieve suffering for people or animals in need. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation also considers related programs like youth development, rehabilitation, after-school initiatives, and nutrition support.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities with $100,000+ budgets can seek funding for mental health, youth development, job readiness, and related programs that build skills and stability. RBC Foundation USA provides support for initiatives that equip people for future careers, expand inclusive prosperity, and advance environmental sustainability in communities where RBC Wealth Management has an active presence.

Behavioral health providers and other qualified contractors in Connecticut can apply for Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services funding; awards US $13,275,000 for intensive residential programs. Funding supports 24/7 supervised housing, skill-building, and evidence-based services helping adults with severe mental illness transition from state facilities or incarceration into the community.

Nonprofit organizations in Connecticut working on aging, mental health, and related equity issues can receive multi-year, general operating support that may include staff wellness and leadership development. Grants from Point32Health Foundation help community-based groups addressing social and racial justice, policy, advocacy, and systems change for older people in communities facing systemic barriers.

The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund offers crucial financial support and counseling for individuals in the theatrical exhibition and distribution sectors facing health-related challenges. This fund assists with medical expenses, housing emergencies, and essential services like vocational rehabilitation and equipment aid. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of three years in exhibition or five years in distribution. The fund aims to provide a safety net for those impacted by illness, injury, or significant life changes.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund offers grants ranging from $2,500 to $49,999 to support community health initiatives. Gundersen Health emphasizes collaboration and addressing social needs to foster well-being. Eligible organizations include non-profits, schools, and government agencies. The fund prioritizes projects that align with the Community Health Improvement Plan, focusing on health equity, civic engagement, and neighborhood enhancement. This initiative aims to empower communities and improve health outcomes while fostering corporate social responsibility.

Organizations providing disaster-related crisis counseling and mental health support in Connecticut and nationwide can apply for SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline program, with awards up to US $1,200,000 to manage and strengthen helpline services. Funding supports 24/7 confidential assistance for people in the U.S. and territories facing emotional distress from natural or human-caused disasters.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund offers grants up to $2,499 to support local programs that enhance community health and well-being. This initiative by Gundersen Health emphasizes collaboration, focusing on areas such as physical and mental health, poverty alleviation, and neighborhood improvements. Organizations like non-profits and government agencies can apply for funding during a rolling application period, with decisions made monthly. The fund aims to empower communities and address health inequities through impactful partnerships.

The Albert G. and Olive H. Schlink Foundation, established in 1966, has significantly impacted Ohio's nonprofit sector by increasing its annual grant distribution from an initial $500 to over $1.4 million in 2023. The Foundation prioritizes organizations with ties to Erie and Huron Counties and emphasizes thoughtful evaluation of all grant applications. With a focus on community needs, it continues to honor the founders' legacy while adapting to the evolving demands of local nonprofits.

The Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation, awarded by the American Philosophical Society, support research in clinical medicine across various fields, including internal medicine and psychiatry. Each fellowship provides $40,000 annually for up to two years, contingent on satisfactory progress. Eligible candidates include those with recent M.D. or Ph.D. degrees, and applicants must conduct research under a scientific advisor in the U.S. Preference is given to those with limited postdoctoral training.

Students pursuing mental health-related degrees can access funding for accredited higher education through the Jeryl Salmond II Memorial Scholarship, a renewable award supporting fields like counseling, clinical social work, psychology, and sociology. Grants from Central Carolina Community Foundation help mental health and psychiatric students, including those in Connecticut, who meet GPA and enrollment requirements and are studying at nonprofit institutions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and qualified grassroots groups in Connecticut can receive US $5,000 - US $15,000 for health and human services programs, including mental health, food, housing, and general health. The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain prioritizes projects serving New Britain and Berlin, especially those supporting children’s mental health and basic needs.

Students with developmental, emotional, physical, or similar challenges, or those who have worked with such students, can receive scholarship support for higher education through the Patricia Schroder Memorial Scholarship. Focused on disability-related needs, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington invites graduates of specified Washington and Texas school districts pursuing further study, including mental health fields, to apply for awards of US $1,000 - US $1,400.

Nonprofit organizations in Connecticut providing food, housing, health, mental health, and other basic needs can seek flexible support, typically US $8,000 - US $20,000, to aid residents’ economic stability. Farmington Bank Community Foundation’s Cycle One grants can fund ongoing programs, start-up costs, capital needs, or, in select cases, core operating support.

Connecticut mental health research institutions and interdisciplinary teams can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish ALACRITY practice-based research centers. Grants up to US $1,500,000 support high-impact studies to optimize mental health interventions, improve access and quality of care, leverage data and technology, and train emerging clinical researchers across eligible U.S. jurisdictions.

Connecticut research institutions working on mental health and psychiatric conditions can access funding through Cures Within Reach to run clinical repurposing trials using already approved drugs, devices, nutraceuticals, or diagnostics. Eligible U.S.-based academic, nonprofit, governmental institutions, and VA health systems may receive up to US $75,000 for proof-of-concept or early-phase trials benefiting veterans and active military.

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 Rare Impact Fund, founded by Selena Gomez, is dedicated to transforming mental health support for young people. With a commitment to mobilizing $100 million, the fund aims to enhance access to mental health services and promote a stigma-free community. Through public Requests for Proposals, the initiative seeks to strengthen the nonclinical youth mental health workforce, ensuring effective support systems that reflect the diverse backgrounds of youth. This innovative approach fosters lasting change in mental health care.