Best Mental Health Grants in New York

Eligible New York organizations developing peer specialist workforce infrastructure can receive operating support to build the New York Peer Specialist Independent Practice Association. Focused on mental health and workforce development, the New York State Office of Mental Health offers US $485,000 annually for five years, plus potential startup funds, to coordinate collaboration and professional development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York can seek funding for mental and behavioral health programs that provide direct services to poor, disadvantaged, or underserved residents. With a mission to support mental wellness, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation backs interventions, increased access, and prevention efforts that are culturally responsive and embedded in community or clinical settings.

Nonprofit organizations in New York City working to build AI readiness and organizational capacity can apply for Citizens Charitable Foundation’s Champions in Action award, which provides US $50,000. With a mission to strengthen communities, Citizens Charitable Foundation provides New York mental health and community service nonprofits with funding plus promotion, publicity, and volunteer support.

Grants from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management help New York 501(c)(3) community-based organizations deliver youth-focused programs in mental health, harm reduction, substance use disorder, housing, and workforce development. Eligible Tier 1 nonprofits with annual expenditures between $50,000 and $2,499,999.99 can request US $50,000 - US $200,000 for services in communities disproportionately affected by past drug policies.

New York 501(c)(3) public charities with budgets over $750,000 can seek more than US $75,000 to deliver direct health and mental health services to poor and underserved residents. Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s General Fund supports programs benefiting vulnerable groups, including youth, older adults, immigrants, people with disabilities, and justice-involved individuals across the state.

Nonprofit and community-based organizations expanding mental wellness supports can seek funding in New York to promote resilience and healing. The New York State Office of Mental Health will make up to 20 awards of up to US $750,000 over three years for universal prevention projects that strengthen mental health and wellness within specific communities statewide.

Grants of US $200,000 help New York 501(c)(3) community-based organizations deliver youth-focused mental health, harm reduction, substance use disorder, housing, and workforce development programs in communities disproportionately impacted by past drug policies. Grants from New York State Office of Cannabis Management support Tier 2 organizations with annual expenditures of at least $2.5 million through the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund.

New York organizations developing community behavioral health crisis response programs can apply for funding to launch or expand health-led crisis teams. Focused on mental health and substance use, the New York State Office of Mental Health will support at least one urban, one suburban, and one rural pilot that emphasizes trauma-informed care, racial equity, and harm reduction.

Veterans and first responders seeking wellness, rehabilitation, or recovery support in New York can apply for the Gridiron Veterans Scholarship to access mental health, physical therapy, and holistic wellness programs. With a mission to support the military-veteran community, Bob Woodruff Foundation partners with Gridiron Veteran Foundation to remove financial barriers to high-quality, customized care.

New York mental health providers operating or planning psychosocial club or recovery center programs can seek funding to develop accredited Clubhouses in the Central, Hudson River, Western, and Long Island regions. New York State Office of Mental Health provides more than US $551,175 to expand access to community-based mental health Clubhouse services.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on mental health and substance use disorder treatment or prevention in New York can apply for Elevance Health Foundation’s Behavioral Health Grant. Funding supports programs that increase access to MH/SUD treatment, emphasize prevention and early intervention, and reduce social isolation or loneliness, with opportunities for both local and national initiatives.

Mental health providers in New York offering OMH-licensed or authorized community programs can secure funding to provide student loan repayment for eligible clinicians who commit to three years of service. Focused on mental health care and reducing disparities, the New York State Office of Mental Health supports agencies employing licensed social workers, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and related professionals.

Mental health and refugee service providers in New York can seek funding to promote health literacy, coordinate mental health services, and facilitate wellness group activities for Ukrainian arrivals. Grants from New York State Office of Mental Health offer US $200,000 to support culturally informed, county-based programs addressing refugees’ immediate and long-term mental health needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New York and the broader Northeast offering mental health, emotional support, or rehabilitation programs can seek up to US $2,500 to relieve suffering for people in need. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation also considers small, under-resourced groups providing youth development, after-school, nutrition, arts, or related community services.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits with at least three years of status and $100,000+ budgets can seek funding for mental health, youth development, and job-readiness programs in communities where RBC Wealth Management operates. RBC Foundation USA supports initiatives building in-demand skills, increasing community stability and accessibility, and advancing environmental sustainability and a net-zero future.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with established health or education programs for underserved adolescents, post-secondary students, or adults can apply for L B Research and Education Foundation grants, including in New York, to expand proven work. Funding of US $10,000 - US $75,000 supports innovative, research-informed approaches to mental and physical health access, outcomes, and related educational or workforce initiatives.

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 Community Residence Single Room Occupancy (CR-SRO) initiative in Richmond County, spearheaded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, aims to provide 51 units of supportive housing for adults recovering from serious mental illness. This project underscores the commitment to reducing psychiatric hospitalizations through community-based services, enhancing recovery opportunities for individuals in need. By fostering a supportive living environment, CR-SRO seeks to promote mental health and well-being for its residents.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

New York State Office of Mental Health

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) oversees a large multi-faceted mental health system serving nearly 800,000 individuals each year. This includes operating 23 psychiatric centers and overseeing the Nathan S. Kline Institute and New York Psychiatric Institute. OMH regulates and certifies more than 6,500 programs operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.

Mission

Our mission is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on providing hope and recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances.

Community Based Diversion Programs

The Office of Mental Health announces funds for the development or enhancement of diversion programs. Programs should be rooted in evidence-based programming or emerging promising practice.

The goal of diversion programs is to reduce the risk of criminal justice involvement for adults with behavioral health needs.

Applicants must already be administering services in the following counties:

• Cayuga
• Essex
• Franklin
• Montgomery
• Madison
• Oneida
• St. Lawrence
• Warren/Washington

Target Population

The target population to be served by the proposed diversion program model is individuals at least 18 years of age with complex and/or chronic behavioral health issues and who are involved with the criminal justice system at one or more intercepts on the Sequential Intercept Model. 

New York mental health and human services workers in theatrical exhibition, distribution, or related vendors facing illness, injury, or major life events can access emergency and medical assistance funding through the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund. Support includes counseling, temporary aid for medical and living expenses, vocational rehabilitation, and equipment grants for eligible U.S.-based industry professionals.

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) offers 24/7 crisis counseling to individuals in the U.S. and its territories facing emotional distress from disasters. Managed by SAMHSA, the helpline aims to enhance and strengthen access to crucial support services year-round, ensuring that those affected by natural or human-caused disasters receive the help they need to mitigate behavioral health impacts.

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.