Grief Reach Capacity Building Grant Program

The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG), in collaboration with the New York Life Foundation, has announced a new round of its Grief Reach grant program focused specifically on capacity building for organizations that serve children and youth experiencing grief. This initiative stems from the longstanding concern that a significant number of young people in the United States face the death of a parent or sibling before the age of 18, with limited access to supportive services. The program, originally launched in 2011, is designed to strengthen internal operations and infrastructure, rather than fund direct programming, to help organizations increase their sustainability and effectiveness in serving grieving children. The grants awarded through this capacity-building cycle will each total $15,000 and will be distributed for a one-year period. Projects funded must fall into one of two categories: organizational development and planning, or strategic relationships and collaborations. Examples of qualifying activities include strategic planning, infrastructure improvements, consultant support, partnership development, or mergers. These initiatives are expected to enhance the organization’s long-term service capacity rather than directly fund services or events for bereaved children. To apply, organizations must meet several eligibility requirements. Applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, have an annual operating budget of at least $100,000, employ at least one paid staff member, and have submitted IRS Form 990 for at least two of the last three years. In addition, applicants must provide audited financial statements for their most recent fiscal year and ensure the grant request does not exceed 15% of their most recent actuals. Proposals must also include a clear budget and demonstrate cultural relevance in their approach to service delivery. There are specific exclusions to be aware of. The grant is not open to individuals, government agencies, religious organizations that limit services to members, or organizations focused solely on professional, athletic, or social interests. Funding will not be awarded for endowments, memorials, fundraising events, or basic research. Organizations that currently hold a Grief Reach grant or have not submitted a final report from a previous award are ineligible to apply. The application cycle opens on June 23, 2025, and will close on July 21, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET. A Q&A session for potential applicants will be held on July 1, 2025, at noon Eastern Time. Grant recipients will be notified in October 2025, and the grant period will run from October 2025 through September 2026. Following the conclusion of the grant period, a final report will be due by January 15, 2027. This report must detail the activities carried out, financial expenditures, and lessons learned. Interested applicants must first complete an eligibility check through the NACG website. If deemed eligible, they will gain access to the full application. For additional details, applicants are encouraged to visit https://nacg.org/grief-reach or contact NACG directly at info@nacg.org.

Applicants are encouraged to complete the eligibility form early and attend the July 1 Q&A session.