Best Mental Health Grants in Massachusetts

Veterans and first responders seeking wellness, rehabilitation, or mental health recovery support in Massachusetts can apply for the Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, which funds access to treatment and holistic wellness programs. With a mission to strengthen the military-veteran community, Bob Woodruff Foundation backs evidence-based services like mental health care, physical therapy, adaptive training, and fitness partnerships nationwide.

Nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts working on equity in aging, including mental health and social determinants of health for older people, can seek multi-year general operating support that also covers staff wellness and leadership capacity. Grants from Point32Health Foundation help community-based groups advancing social and racial justice for older adults, especially in communities facing systemic inequities and disinvestment.

Nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts 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 community-focused nonprofits, Citizens Charitable Foundation provides selected organizations with funding plus promotion, publicity, and volunteer support that may benefit mental health and related service providers.

Small 501(c)(3) organizations offering mental health and emotional support programs in Massachusetts and the broader Northeast U.S. can seek funding for services that relieve suffering for people or animals in need. Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation awards up to US $2,500, with a preference for well-run groups under $1M in assets and limited government funding.

Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits with at least three years of status and $100,000+ budgets can seek funding for mental health, youth development, job readiness, and related programs in communities where RBC Wealth Management operates. RBC Foundation USA supports efforts that build in-demand skills, increase community prosperity, and advance environmental sustainability alongside mental health services.

Postdoctoral fellows and mentored clinician scientists conducting mental health and psychiatric or related biomedical research in Massachusetts can apply for two-year awards from the Charles A. King Trust, administered by Health Resources in Action, ranging from US $219,100 - US $240,000. Funding supports advanced training toward independent research careers in human disease and public health.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Massachusetts addressing food security, housing stability, or safe, bias-free spaces can seek up to US $25,000 to strengthen their programs. Sincere Charitable Foundation considers impact and organizational capacity, and includes mental health resources and supportive services within its priorities for vulnerable communities.

Nonprofit organizations working on mental health access and education equity in Massachusetts can apply for US $10,000 - US $75,000 from the L.B. Research and Education Foundation. U.S.-based 501(c)(3)s with $500,000–$10 million budgets and established, research-informed programs for adolescents, post-secondary students, or adult vocational learners may be competitive.

Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups with urgent or immediate needs can access approximately US $2,500 to support community-focused work, including mental health and psychiatric programs. New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund prioritizes historically underfunded organizations advancing racial equity, community empowerment, and transparency across Massachusetts.

Nonprofit organizations providing mental health and related patient care services can seek funding that may benefit programs in Massachusetts and beyond. With a mission to support healthcare and community services, the Albert G and Olive H Schlink Foundation gives special consideration to Ohio-based charities but also considers requests from organizations across the U.S. working in mental health and care services.

PTA leaders supporting school-based mental health in Massachusetts can apply for a 12‑month Healthy Minds Fellowship, with a US $1,500 stipend, to deepen knowledge and leadership. With a mission to strengthen family engagement, National Congress of Parents & Teachers provides training, action planning, and train‑the‑trainer opportunities for active PTA leaders who have implemented the Healthy Minds program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored community groups in Massachusetts working in Boston can seek funding to expand programs for Black men and boys, including mental health and wellness services. City of Boston’s Community Empowerment Fund offers up to US $20,000 for initiatives in neighborhoods like Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Hyde Park.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Massachusetts can seek support for community health, mental health, and wellness initiatives through the Thriving Community Impact Fund’s Support Grants. With a mission to strengthen community well-being, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation provides up to US $2,499 for programs addressing health, poverty, economic stability, and neighborhood environments, including mental health efforts.

Massachusetts high school seniors in approved college readiness programs can access funding that supports higher education, mental wellness, and overall college success. Through the Dell Scholars Program, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation offers flexible scholarship support plus academic, financial, professional, and mental health resources to help Pell-eligible students persist through college and into careers.

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.

Massachusetts mental health and social service providers serving motion picture exhibition and distribution workers can access financial assistance for medical, counseling, housing, and emergency needs through the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund. Eligible applicants are industry individuals facing illness, injury, or life-changing events, with programs that may also support vocational rehabilitation and equipment aid.

The UWGNB Community Impact Grants aim to enhance local communities by funding projects focused on Healthy Community and Child and Youth Opportunity. This initiative prioritizes access to basic needs, mental health, and youth development programs. Eligible applicants include non-profits and public entities, with one application allowed per organization. The funding supports programs that foster health and learning, ultimately helping individuals and families thrive in the Greater New Bedford area.

Organizations that can operate a national crisis counseling and support line for disaster-related emotional distress can apply for SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline program, with awards up to US $1,200,000. This funding supports 24/7, toll-free, confidential mental health and crisis intervention services across the U.S., including Massachusetts and its territories.

The Women & Girls Mental Health Mini-Grant, offered by the City of Boston's Office of Women's Advancement, aims to support innovative mental health programming for women and girls. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for collaborative applications from 501(c)(3) organizations serving Boston residents. This initiative focuses on enhancing mental health through education, mentorship, and community engagement, ensuring accessible and culturally responsive services for all participants.

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.