The MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program was established in 2021 by the American Psychiatric Association’s Division of Diversity and Health Equity (DDHE) in partnership with the APA Foundation. The program is designed to support community organizations that have implemented innovative awareness programs and services aimed at improving the mental health of young people of color. Funding for the grants is made possible through contributions from charitable individuals, teams, and corporate sponsors associated with the MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K, an initiative created to raise awareness of mental health inequities and to honor mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell.

Grants awarded through this program focus on initiatives that address mental health and substance use disorder inequities. Specifically, eligible projects must either deliver innovative programming aimed at reducing these inequities, promote awareness of mental health and substance use disorder disparities, increase equitable access to mental health care, or enhance the quality of culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services. Funded projects should demonstrate a scalable and sustainable impact.

The program provides grant awards totaling $10,000 over a two-year period. Funding for the second year is contingent upon the successful completion of the first year. The application cycle for the MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program opens annually on August 21 and closes on September 30.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit community organizations that are tax-exempt under IRS Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6). Additionally, organizations must have been operational for at least two consecutive years and must demonstrate a history of addressing mental health and substance use disorder inequities among young people of color. Recipients are required to participate in quarterly virtual meetings as part of the grant program. Organizations that operate as unincorporated state or community coalitions must designate a fiscal agent in their application.

The grant is not available to individuals, for-profit organizations, or organizations that do not hold IRS 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status. Additionally, organizations that discriminate based on legally protected categories, as well as those seeking funds for capital improvement projects, are ineligible.

For additional information, applicants can contact the Department of Diversity and Health Equity at the American Psychiatric Association via email at ddhe@psych.org or by phone at 202-559-3900.