Children & Youth Mental Health Grant Program

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, a private philanthropic organization based in Detroit, Michigan, has announced its 2025 Children and Youth Mental Health Request for Proposals (RFP). Established in 1976 by siblings Ethel "Peggy" Flinn and James "Jim" Flinn Jr., the Foundation is committed to improving access to effective mental health services and treatments for Michigan residents, especially those in southeast Michigan. With a mission rooted in Jim Flinn’s lived experience with schizophrenia, the Foundation has prioritized well-researched and evidence-based mental health solutions. This RFP specifically targets mental health programs for children and youth aged 21 and under. The goal of the 2025 RFP is to enhance access to prevention, early identification, and mental health treatment for children and adolescents in southeast Michigan, primarily focusing on Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties. While the geographic focus is southeast Michigan, the Foundation may consider projects that benefit a broader segment of the state. Eligible applicants include local or state governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations that offer mental health services either as their primary mission or as a component of their work. Programs must implement evidence-based practices (EBPs), which can be referenced from resources provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For the 2025 funding cycle, the Foundation has allocated approximately $500,000. Applicants may request two-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 annually, with total award amounts determined during the grant decision process. Funding priorities include infant mental health models for at-risk parents, early childhood mental health services, pediatric screening in schools or clinics, therapeutic interventions (e.g., CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care), diversion programs for justice-involved youth, and peer support models that expand behavioral health service access. Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s portal by July 17, 2025, before 4:00 p.m. Required attachments include a two-page executive summary, a budget/actual expenditure report, and a recent independent financial audit. Key evaluation criteria include the alignment with Foundation priorities, the program's potential to improve mental health service delivery, reduce disparities, foster cross-system collaboration, and demonstrate sustainability post-grant. The Board of Trustees will issue funding decisions by September 16, 2025, and funds will be disbursed on December 18, 2025. The grant term runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Grantees will be expected to submit a progress report by March 1, 2027, and a final report by March 1, 2028. The executive summary and budget templates are available for download on the Foundation’s website. While applicant inquiries are welcome, contacting the Foundation is optional. For further information or to discuss eligibility, applicants may reach out to Andrea M. Cole, President and CEO, via email at acole@flinnfoundation.org or by phone at (313) 309-3437.

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