Core Funding Opportunity

The Core Funding Opportunity, established in 2010, is the flagship grant mechanism of the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF), designed to invest in behavioral health services that support the wellbeing of children and families in St. Louis County, Missouri. This competitive grant program utilizes a unit-rate reimbursement model, whereby contracted partners are reimbursed based on service delivery rather than a fixed grant amount. The 2026–2029 cycle offers a total funding pool of up to $150 million, as approved by the CSF Board of Directors. The funding opportunity is open to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities that provide eligible mental and behavioral health services to children, youth, and families. Programs must align with CSF’s impact areas, including trauma recovery, mental health promotion, youth development, substance use prevention and treatment, family strengthening, and services addressing social and emotional wellbeing. All services must be delivered within St. Louis County. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate the capacity to operate under a fee-for-service reimbursement model using CSF’s standardized service units, comply with reporting requirements, and complete CSF’s financial and transparency protocols. These include obtaining the 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency through Candid or submitting a Candid Substitute Workbook and three years of financial statements. Applicants using fiscal agents or sponsors must ensure those partners are also registered in Salesforce and meet Candid requirements. The application for the 2026–2029 cycle opens on September 8, 2025, and is due by October 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST. Applications must be submitted via Salesforce. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. CSF will host technical assistance and information sessions in September and October. New applicants may access up to 10 hours of free proposal development support from Assel Grant Services if requested by September 23, 2025. The review process includes internal staff evaluation and community reviewers, followed by clarification meetings and board decision-making in early 2026. Awards will be announced in May 2026. Contracts will be executed between May and June, with funded services beginning July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30, 2029. The Core Funding model emphasizes transparency, performance measurement, and impact-driven service delivery, with outcomes tracked through validated tools aligned to CSF’s standardized metrics.

New applicants may access up to 10 hours of free grant support from Assel Grant Services. Candid Gold Seal or Substitute Workbook required. Submit early due to no support in final 48 hours.