The 2025 Behavioral Health Initiative Grant is offered by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of Michigan residents while also working to reduce healthcare costs. This grant program specifically focuses on improving access to effective mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services for Michigan residents through innovative programs and systems change initiatives. The Health Fund emphasizes projects that address key behavioral health challenges through collaborative, community-driven, and evidence-informed approaches.

The grant prioritizes projects in several key areas: innovative care delivery models; multisector collaborations that build and strengthen local systems of care; use of technology to improve care access and quality; and team-based care approaches that enhance care integration and provider collaboration. Successful proposals should target specific populations and incorporate community data and input to illustrate the need for the project. Proposals should demonstrate how the project will expand access to behavioral health services, particularly for children, older adults, and youth in foster care, and improve health outcomes. Promoting health equity and addressing disparities is also a critical element, with an emphasis on removing barriers to care and engaging community leaders and affected populations in project planning and implementation.

The application process follows a clear timeline. The grant portal opens on March 3, 2025, and an informational webinar will be held on March 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Concept papers, which are strongly encouraged but not mandatory, are due by April 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Full applications are due by May 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Award announcements will follow on September 3, 2025, and projects may begin on or after October 1, 2025. Projects may have a duration of up to two years.

Eligibility for the Behavioral Health Initiative Grant is limited to nonprofits, federally recognized tribes, local units of government, and the State of Michigan. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations, serve Michigan residents, have a certified financial audit or independently reviewed financial statements, and employ at least one full-time employee. Certain activities are excluded from funding, including clinical research, loans, emergency response, capital projects, litigation, and lobbying. The Health Fund focuses on supporting new programs, program expansions, or innovative enhancements to existing programs but does not fund ongoing operating expenses for existing programs.

Grant amounts range from $50,000 to $500,000, with the maximum request capped at 20% of the applicant’s annual operating budget. Indirect costs are allowed, with applicants operating under budgets below $10 million eligible for up to 30% of the grant budget in indirect costs, while organizations with budgets at or above $10 million may request up to 20%. Applications will be reviewed based on criteria including collaboration, community empowerment, health equity focus, innovation, long-term impact potential, measurable outcomes, and strategic alignment with the Health Fund’s goals.

All proposals must include a robust evaluation plan outlining measurable health outcomes related to improved behavioral health access and care quality. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their projects will drive systemic change and sustain impact beyond the grant period. Evaluation plans should describe key activities, outputs, short-term and long-term outcomes, and overall project impact. Template evaluation tools are available through the Health Fund.