Mental Health Field of Interest Funds

The Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The Foundation achieves its mission by holding a variety of funds, including Field of Interest Funds, which allow donors to support specific causes. The Mental Health Field of Interest Funds, supported by several endowed funds, directly align with the Foundation's broader mission by focusing on a critical area of community well-being: mental health. This grant program embodies the Foundation's strategic priority to support issues important to donors in perpetuity, ensuring sustained impact in the mental health sector. This request for proposals specifically targets new and existing programs that offer education, advocacy, and support services for persons with mental illness, their family members, and/or caregivers. The primary impact goal is to improve the quality of life and well-being for these target beneficiaries. By funding programs that address education, advocacy, and support, the Foundation aims to create a more informed and supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. Priority applications for the Mental Health Field of Interest Funds will incorporate client-driven efforts as part of program offerings, holistic and alternative approaches as an adjunct to conventional medicine, and consideration of the role of lifestyle choices in achieving positive mental health outcomes. These priorities reflect a comprehensive and person-centered approach to mental health support, acknowledging the diverse needs and pathways to well-being. The Foundation's theory of change appears to be that by supporting innovative and holistic programs, it can foster more effective and sustainable mental health solutions within the community. Expected outcomes include enhanced access to education and advocacy resources, increased availability of support services, and the promotion of diverse and client-centered mental health interventions. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the focus on "new and existing programs that offer education, advocacy and support services" suggests that successful applicants will demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to these broader outcomes within the service area of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Awards are up to $25,000, indicating a commitment to funding impactful projects within this focus area.