2025 Grants for Black Youth Mental Health Programs in NYC

Supporting the mental health and wellness of Black youth is more urgent than ever—and in 2025, there are a wide range of funding opportunities available for NYC-based nonprofits doing this critical work. From local mini-grants to national corporate awards, here’s a roundup of the most active and relevant programs.

1. NYS Office of Mental Health – Youth Safe Spaces Program (Pilot)

This pilot program supports 3–5 new “Safe Spaces” for youth ages 12–24 across New York State, including NYC. These spaces can be standalone youth centers or hosted in existing venues like libraries or Boys & Girls Clubs.
Funding: Up to $250,000 per site
Deadline: June 27, 2025
Apply via NYS OMH

2. NewYork-Presbyterian – Mini-Grants Program

Designed to support grassroots organizations in NYC, this three-year grant track offers increasing amounts over time: $5,000 → $7,500 → $10,000.
Focus: Advancing youth health and mental well-being
Deadline: March 10, 2025
Apply here

3. NewYork-Presbyterian – Summer Youth Enrichment Grants (SYEG)

Offers $50,000 for summer programs that support youth through mental health, arts, and workforce skills development. Available to NYC and Westchester organizations.
Deadline: Applications opened March 2025
Award details

4. William T. Grant Foundation – Youth Service Improvement Grants (YSIG)

Helps improve the quality of direct services for youth aged 5–25. Especially relevant for trauma-informed and mental-health programming.
Funding: Up to $60,000 over two years
Deadline: April 16, 2025
More info

5. Robin Hood Foundation – Poverty-Fighting Grants (Mental-Health Track)

A powerhouse funder in NYC, Robin Hood supports programs addressing poverty with a strong mental-health component, particularly for Black youth.
Funding: $75,000–$500,000 per year, plus capacity-building
Rolling RFPs in 2025
Become a grantee

6. New York Community Trust – Youth Development Portfolio

Supports comprehensive youth programs including counseling, case management, and behavioral health.
Funding: Typically $50,000–$150,000
Deadline: Accepted year-round with quarterly reviews
Learn more

7. Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health – Innovation Awards

Recognizes and supports programs promoting youth mental health at scale.
Funding: Up to $100,000 plus cohort-based support
Deadline: July 7, 2025
Program details

8. lululemon Centre for Social Impact – Community Well-Being Grants

Focuses on programs that center community healing, belonging, and mental well-being.
Funding: $25,000–$75,000 unrestricted
Next LOI: September 2025
See 2025 grantees

9. Cigna Group Foundation – Improving Youth Mental Health

Funds innovative approaches to emotional resilience and youth support.
Funding: $50,000–$100,000
Note: 2025 cycle closed, monitor for 2026
Program overview

10. CVS Health Foundation – Healthy Community Grants

Supports community centers and school-based health clinics offering early mental-health intervention.
Funding: Up to $75,000
Deadline: Rolling
Explore the program

11. Nike Black Community Commitment Fund

Funds nonprofits uplifting Black communities, including those offering youth mental-health support.
Funding: Around $100,000
Next RFP: January 9 – February 15, 2025
Learn more

12. NBA Foundation – Economic & Social Justice Grants

Supports career readiness, mental health, and mentorship for Black youth.
Funding: $50,000–$200,000
Next Round Opens: October 1, 2025
Apply here

13. Citi Foundation – Global Innovation Challenge

Targets well-being and employability in marginalized communities.
Funding: $500,000
2025 cycle closed – track for 2026
Program page

14. Bank of America Charitable Foundation – Basic Needs & Income Creation

Includes youth mental health under its “basic needs” umbrella.
Funding: $25,000–$200,000
Deadline: May 19 – June 30, 2025
Application info

15. Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation – Youth Initiative

Supports trauma-informed, resilience-building youth programs.
Funding: $30,000
LOI Deadline: June 15, 2025
View initiative

Final Tips for a Strong Grant Application

• Lead with community evidence. Ground your application in data that shows Black youth in NYC are disproportionately impacted by mental health challenges—and how your approach meets them where they are.
• Collaborate locally. Demonstrate partnerships with schools, clinics, or youth centers to show collective impact.
• Plan for sustainability. Funders want to know your program can grow and last beyond their support.
• Track your impact. Even small grants may ask for outcomes reporting—budget time and tools for evaluation.