Community Behavioral Health Fund Grants
Strengthening mental health and well-being through collaborative, systems-focused funding for our community and its neighbors.
Two Behavioral Health Grant Opportunities are Now Open!
Applicants can submit proposals for one or both grant opportunities.
August 11: RFP Opens
September 19: Application Deadline
October: Site Visits, as needed
Late November: Grant decisions are communicated
December 1, 2025 - November 30, 2026: Grant Period
Grant for Systems Change in Behavioral Health
Through this RFP, NCCF seeks to support systems-level work that impacts the quality of, and access to, behavioral health services in lower Fairfield County.
Systems-level work seeks to improve the broader behavioral health landscape in our region, rather than focus solely on the needs of individual nonprofits.
Examples include:
ADVANCE PARITY IN COVERAGE
Efforts that seek to advance parity in mental health insurance coverage and reimbursement.
IMPACTFUL RESEARCH & ADVOCACY
Research, advocacy or policy work that directly impacts lower Fairfield County.
SYSTEM-WIDE COALITIONS
Coalitions or partnerships that have a system-wide impact on the quality of care available to local residents.
STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE
Initiatives to strengthen the mental health workforce, such as efforts to strengthen the pipeline for mental health providers, support the certification of bilingual clinicians, increase workforce retention, and/or research and advocacy projects that impact workforce planning.
Grant Details & Eligibility
Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 are available to nonprofit organizations based in Fairfield County or to state-wide organizations whose work directly impacts lower Fairfield County.
Note: Organization-specific internship and fellowship programs are not eligible for grant funding.
Grants for Programs Responding to the
New Canaan Community Health & Well-Being Survey
Through this RFP, NCCF seeks to support New Canaan-based efforts to respond to the results of the Community Health & Well-Being Survey. The full report and findings are available at https://newcanaanbha.org/
Example projects include, but are not limited to:
PROMOTE AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Efforts to spread awareness of local community supports, such as resources for those struggling with mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence.
PRIORITIZE SUPPORT FOR UNDERSERVED GROUPS
Initiatives that support demographic groups who reported higher barriers to accessing care (multiple caregivers, 30-59 year-olds, etc.).
PROVIDE TARGETED ASSISTANCE FOR PARENTS
Support programs that empower parents through access to services, education, and emotional well-being.
Grant Details & Eligibility
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 are available to nonprofit organizations, partnerships, or individual community members. Projects led by individuals are ideally in partnership with, or fiscally sponsored by, a nonprofit organization. All proposed work must specifically impact New Canaan.