The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and specifically the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), is forecasting the release of the Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive - Adults (HEART) grant. This discretionary funding opportunity is expected to support the implementation of healthy marriage promotion activities targeted specifically at adult individuals or couples aged 18 and over. The funding initiative is rooted in Section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act.

HEART aims to foster family strengthening through a diverse range of service strategies. Eligible programs must include one or more of the seven core activities outlined in the legislation: marriage and relationship education/skills (MRES), pre-marital education, marriage enhancement, divorce reduction activities, marriage mentoring, public advertising campaigns, and activities designed to reduce disincentives to marriage. ACF is seeking proposals across varying levels of project scopes including high-impact, moderate, and smaller-scale or newly initiated programs.

The total anticipated funding available for the HEART program is $34,650,000 for the 2025 fiscal year. Approximately 40 awards are expected, with individual grant amounts ranging from $400,000 to $1,250,000. Notably, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. A cooperative agreement will be used as the funding instrument, indicating substantial involvement from the federal agency during the project period.

Eligible applicants encompass a wide range of public and private entities including state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), public housing authorities, school districts, institutions of higher education, and for-profit entities including small businesses. However, applications from individuals and foreign entities are explicitly not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations are welcome to apply, provided they meet the general eligibility requirements.

Applications will be accepted electronically and must be submitted by June 24, 2025, no later than 11:59 PM EST. The estimated posting date of the official application package is April 25, 2025, with awards expected to be announced by August 29, 2025. Projects are anticipated to start on September 30, 2025.

For more information or questions, applicants can contact Taffy Compain at (202) 205-7793 or via email at Taffy.Compain@ACF.hhs.gov.