Mental health remains an important development priority, particularly in communities affected by poverty, conflict, displacement, disasters, gender-based violence and limited access to healthcare. For nonprofit organizations, community groups and social-impact initiatives, identifying suitable funders can be a major step toward expanding mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services.
A range of foundations and international organizations provide grants, partnerships, stipends or other forms of support for mental health initiatives. Some focus specifically on mental health, while others support related areas such as child wellbeing, trauma recovery, women’s rights, youth development and community health.
Below is a list of 20 funders and funding pathways that organizations working on mental health projects can explore.
1. Peace of Mind Foundation
The Peace of Mind Foundation provides MHPSS grants generally ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. Its support focuses on organizations assisting children affected by conflict, displacement and disasters. Applicants may be required to complete a short eligibility quiz before proceeding to a full proposal.
2. Ember Mental Health
Ember Mental Health, a collaboration involving the SHM Foundation and Mental Health Innovation Network, supports locally led mental health initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. Selected organizations receive a 12-month partnership alongside a financial stipend and support for community-level interventions.
3. Khyentse Foundation – Trisong Grants
The Trisong Grants support initiatives promoting mental health and wellbeing, including work addressing depression, trauma and psychosocial education. Projects do not necessarily have to be Buddhist. Organizations working from compassion-based values may also be considered.
4. Nederlands Albert Schweitzer Fonds
The Nederlands Albert Schweitzer Fonds (NASF) supports small-scale health initiatives in Africa. Mental health care is among its areas of interest, with opportunities relevant to organizations operating in countries including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Uganda.
5. African Women’s Development Fund
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) periodically launches funding calls supporting women’s rights and wellbeing. Some calls have specifically addressed women’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, making the organization worth monitoring for relevant opportunities.
6. Grand Challenges Canada
Grand Challenges Canada has supported mental health innovations through funding mechanisms designed for locally driven solutions in global health. Early-stage innovators developing practical approaches to mental health challenges can monitor its current innovation calls.
7. Movember Foundation
The Movember Foundation is particularly associated with men’s health, including men’s mental health and suicide prevention. Organizations developing interventions for men and boys may find relevant partnership and funding opportunities when calls are open.
8. Baring Foundation
The Baring Foundation is a UK-based charitable foundation that has supported mental health and wellbeing initiatives. Its funding interests have included community-based and arts-related approaches to mental health, providing opportunities for organizations using creative methods to improve wellbeing.
9. One Mind
One Mind supports work aimed at improving mental health outcomes and advancing awareness and innovation. Organizations developing grassroots psychosocial, awareness or community mental health initiatives can monitor its funding and partnership opportunities.
10. Fondation de France
Fondation de France supports a broad range of social and development initiatives. At different times, its funding programmes have included mental health and psychosocial support projects, including initiatives connected to Francophone Africa.
11. Firelight Foundation
Firelight Foundation supports grassroots organizations working with children and young people in Africa. Its broader youth-focused funding can intersect with child wellbeing, psychosocial support and mental health programming.
12. Waterloo Foundation
The Waterloo Foundation is a UK-based grantmaker supporting projects across several thematic areas. Its health-related interests can include programmes connected to young people, communities and mental health-related wellbeing.
13. Guerrant Foundation
The Guerrant Foundation is a smaller philanthropic funder associated with trauma-informed and community-based initiatives. Organizations working internationally on mental health and trauma-related programmes can monitor its funding priorities and eligibility requirements.
14. Independence Foundation
Independence Foundation supports initiatives designed to improve access to health services, including services for underserved populations. Mental health service delivery organizations may find relevant opportunities depending on the foundation’s current geographic and thematic priorities.
15. Osprey Foundation of Maryland
The Osprey Foundation of Maryland provides relatively modest grants to grassroots organizations. Its interests can intersect with mental health, social justice and community development, making it another potential funding source for smaller initiatives.
16. Comic Relief International Fund
Comic Relief has periodically provided international funding through different programmes and grant windows. Previous funding themes have included mental health and psychosocial support, particularly where mental health is connected to wider social and development challenges.
17. Tudor Trust
The Tudor Trust is a UK charitable foundation supporting organizations addressing social disadvantage and inequality. Mental health and wellbeing projects can fall within its broader community and social-justice funding landscape.
18. StrongMinds Replication Partners
Organizations working with or adapting the StrongMinds model may access partnership-based funding opportunities. StrongMinds focuses on scalable approaches to depression treatment, particularly through community-based interventions.
19. Fondation d’Harcourt
Fondation d’Harcourt supports health and social initiatives, including programmes addressing psychosocial and community wellbeing. Organizations should review current calls carefully because funding priorities and geographical eligibility can change.
20. Mental Health Innovation Network Partner Grants
The Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN) connects organizations and innovators working to improve mental health services globally. From time to time, partner initiatives and small grants may provide support to innovators developing locally relevant mental health solutions.
How Organizations Can Improve Their Funding Prospects
Organizations seeking mental health funding should carefully match their projects with each funder’s thematic priorities, geographic scope and grant size. A strong proposal should clearly identify the mental health problem being addressed, the target population, proposed intervention, expected outcomes and how results will be measured.
Projects can also become more competitive when they demonstrate meaningful community participation, local leadership, evidence-based approaches and a realistic sustainability strategy.
Applicants should also distinguish between open funding calls and historical funding programmes. A funder appearing on a mental health funding list does not necessarily mean that applications are currently open. Organizations should therefore verify the latest eligibility requirements, deadlines and application procedures directly with each funder before preparing a proposal.
Key Takeaway for Mental Health NGOs
Mental health organizations do not have to rely exclusively on large international donors. Foundations, innovation funds, women’s rights funders, youth-focused organizations, philanthropic trusts and partnership programmes can all provide potential funding pathways.
For NGOs and community organizations in Africa and other underserved regions, regularly monitoring these funders can help identify opportunities for projects covering depression, trauma, suicide prevention, psychosocial support, children’s wellbeing, women’s mental health and community-based mental healthcare.
