Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive - Adults (HEART)

The Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive (HEART) grant program, offered by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), provides financial support to projects that promote healthy marriages and relationships as part of a broader goal to strengthen family structures and foster economic stability. This funding opportunity (HHS-2025-ACF-OFA-ZB-0109) is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) and is part of the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) initiative. The grant supports the delivery of curriculum-based services targeting adults age 18 and older, including both individuals and couples, with a particular emphasis on relationship education and job and career advancement. HEART aims to support projects that deliver at least 12 hours of structured, skills-based curriculum through group workshops that meet specific content and delivery requirements. These include training in communication, emotional intimacy, conflict resolution, and understanding the benefits of marriage. Allowable activities include marriage education and relationship skills (MRES), premarital and marriage enhancement education, divorce reduction, marriage mentoring, and targeted public advertising. All workshops must be evidence-informed, culturally relevant, and tailored to the specific populations served. Projects may also include supplemental activities like parenting education and financial literacy, but only in conjunction with core relationship education. Funding will be awarded as cooperative agreements with substantial federal involvement, and projects must fall under one of three defined scopes: large ($750,000–$1,250,000), small ($400,000–$749,999 with prior experience), or emerging ($400,000–$749,999 for first-time HMRF applicants seeking technical assistance). Approximately $33 million in total funding is available, with an estimated 40 awards to be made. The project period spans five years, broken into one-year budget periods, and continuation awards are contingent upon performance and funding availability. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and private entities such as state and local governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit entities including small businesses. Foreign entities and individuals, including sole proprietors, are not eligible. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, but applicants must comply with federal salary cap limitations and other financial management regulations. Applications are due by July 29, 2025, and must be submitted via Grants.gov. Applicants must first complete registrations with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov, a process that may take several weeks. The application must include a detailed project narrative, line-item budget, performance benchmarks, and logic model. Required attachments include legal documentation, MOUs with partner organizations, and resumes or job descriptions for key staff. Projects must also demonstrate a physical presence in the communities served and adhere to post-award data collection and reporting via the nFORM system. Interested applicants can contact Taffy Compain at OFA@grantreview.org for program questions, or reach out to Grants Management Officer Telina Bennett-Reed at telina.bennett@acf.hhs.gov or (202) 401-4609. A pre-recorded informational webinar is also available through the ACF Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood website. Projects are expected to begin by September 30, 2025, with a planning period allowed for initial setup and pilot activities beginning as early as January 2026 for large and small scope applicants, and April 2026 for emerging applicants:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.

Clearly align scope with objectives, ensure curriculum fidelity, include DV protocols and performance measurement.