Kicking The Stigma Community Action Grant

Kicking The Stigma, a mental health initiative launched by the Indianapolis Colts, has established the Community Action Grant to support nonprofit organizations and government-equivalent entities providing direct services and programs in the mental health sector. Rooted in a mission to reduce the stigma around mental illness and improve mental health access across Indiana, the initiative funds projects that fall within five core focus areas: Behavioral Health Workforce Development, Equitable Access to Treatment and Resources, Grassroots Peer-to-Peer Programming, Awareness and Anti-Stigma Initiatives, and Youth Mental Health. The latter category receives special consideration for proposals involving youth sports. The 2026 Community Action Grant cycle begins with an interest form submission window that opened on February 2 and will remain open through February 28. Interested organizations must first complete this initial form, after which selected applicants will be invited to submit a formal grant application. The final deadline for full applications is April 30, and funding decisions will be announced by June 16. This two-step process is designed to screen projects for alignment with the initiative’s goals and ensure efficient use of review resources. Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $25,000 and must support specific programs or projects rather than general operations, fundraising, or technology development like websites or apps. All funded initiatives must be evidence-based or evidence-informed. Additionally, requests for salary support are generally discouraged unless a compelling sustainability plan is provided. The use of grant funds is limited to programmatic expenses that align with one or more of the five stated focus areas. Eligibility is restricted to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government-equivalent entities operating in the state of Indiana. Each organization may submit only one application per cycle and may not receive funding in consecutive years. Organizations must clearly demonstrate that their proposals serve Indiana communities and fall squarely within the mental health sector. Applications from religious organizations are allowed, provided they follow evidence-based practices, and proposals from schools must include a letter of support from the appropriate school administration and benefit students through specific programming. The grantor emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date contact information throughout the application process, as the named applicant is responsible for all grant-related communication, agreements, and reporting. Previous grantees must have submitted a final report to be eligible for additional funding. The structured and deliberate process, coupled with clear restrictions on eligible activities, reflects Kicking The Stigma’s focus on impact, transparency, and long-term change in mental health services across Indiana. The Community Action Grant operates on an annual cycle, and based on this cadence, the next application cycle would be expected in early 2027. This recurring model allows organizations to plan strategically and encourages the development of sustainable mental health programming throughout the state.