The 2025 Youth Mental Health Learning Cohort, created by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, supports organizations dedicated to improving youth mental health. This program seeks to strengthen local capacity, promote collaboration, and build a community of practice among youth-serving nonprofits. With a focus on prevention and resilience-building, the initiative prioritizes organizations working with youth populations who are disproportionately impacted by mental health challenges, such as youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and those from rural or economically disadvantaged areas. The cohort’s goal is to enhance the work of schools, healthcare providers, and other community agencies by addressing mental health as a holistic, community-wide challenge.

The program offers grants of $10,000 to 10-15 selected organizations to participate in a series of monthly trainings, workshops, and peer-learning sessions throughout the year. Cohort participants will gain expertise in trauma-informed practices, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), racial equity, inclusion, and youth empowerment. Additionally, organizations will have the opportunity to apply for collaborative grants—up to $10,000 each—at the end of the cohort period. These grants will support joint projects that implement the skills and strategies developed during the program.

Applications for the cohort are due by November 24, 2024, at 11:59 pm, and organizations can receive technical assistance from Community Foundation staff through November 20. The application process involves an online submission through the foundation’s grants platform, requiring organizational and executive contact information. Selected participants will be announced by December 23, with the first in-person meeting scheduled for January 14, 2025. Monthly sessions will occur on the second Tuesday, with both virtual and in-person meetings.

Eligibility is restricted to 501(c)(3) public charities and Tribal-affiliated or Native-serving programs in Thurston, Lewis, or Mason counties, providing services to youth from birth to 18 years. Organizations must demonstrate adequate capacity, including financial health and governance, and commit to allocating the $10,000 stipend towards staff time and travel expenses related to cohort participation. Key participants (2-4 per organization) are expected to invest approximately 50 hours over the year in training sessions.

Cohort selection will prioritize organizations that serve BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Tribal, or rural youth. The selection process involves a review of eligibility and narrative responses, and applicants may be invited to a virtual interview for further clarification. At the program's conclusion in December 2025, organizations will submit a three-page Learning Implementation Report on how they plan to integrate the knowledge and connections gained.

Ineligible applicants include organizations that engage in discriminatory practices, partisan political activities, or religious purposes, as well as service clubs and re-granting organizations. For additional guidance, applicants can contact Program Officer Tami Mason Lathrop via email or phone for questions about the application process or grants platform.