Early Childhood Funding Opportunities
To view the full RFP’s click on the links below:
EC Social Emotional Development for Children RFP FY26-28
EC Professional Development Partnership RFP FY26-28
Mental Health Education for Parents Partnership RFP FY26-28
In order to simplify the process for selecting the funding opportunity that best matches your organization and project, please review the funding cycle summaries below:
Saint Louis MHB Early Childhood Funding Opportunities for FY 2026 – 2028 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028) Winter/Spring 2025 Application Process | |||
Request for Proposal | Social Emotional Development for Children | Professional Development for Childcare Providers Partnership | Mental Health Education for Parents/Caregivers Partnership |
Available Funding $ | Up to $1,500,000 per year over 3-year funding cycle | Up to $750,000 per year over 3-year funding cycle | Up to $500,000 per year over 3-year funding cycle ($425,000 childcare provider support and up to $75,000 for partnership coordinating organization to cover direct and/or indirect expenses) |
Average Funding Award $ | Average funding award in the most recently completed cycle was $190,000 per year | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Anticipated Number of Grants to be Awarded | 8 – 10 | 1 | 1 |
Number of applications that can be submitted | One (1) per applicant organization | One (1) per applicant organization | One (1) per applicant organization |
Submission Deadline | 11:59 PM, February 27, 2025 | 11:59 PM, March 13, 2025 | 11:59 PM, March 13, 2025 |
Who can apply? | 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, organizations with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor, or a unit of local government | Lead applicant must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or nonprofit fiscal sponsor that will partner with at least 3 other organizations to provide professional development support to childcare providers | Lead applicant must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, nonprofit fiscal sponsor, or unit of local government with relevant experience coordinating a partnership and ability to manage and distribute funding to childcare providers |
MHB FY26 – 28 Early Childhood Funding Opportunities FULL Summary
Here is a presentation on guidance completing the applications
Applications will be open on February 3, 2025. To submit an application click HERE
Wellness in Neighborhoods – A Mental Health Public Awareness Campaign
To help support Wellness in Neighborhoods, MHB will award up to $5,000 in St. Louis City Wards to host fun, social neighborhood-level events focused on mental health and well-being and that offer education on how to access mental health services and supports.
See more
Behavioral Health Systems Change Initiative – Collaboration Planning Grant
The Saint Louis MHB Behavioral Health Systems Change Initiative will use a collective-impact approach to increase access to high-quality behavioral health services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for St. Louis City residents who are underserved by the behavioral healthcare system.
See more
Funder Fridays
Funder Fridays are open to any community organization, regardless of funding status, who are interested in the opportunity to connect with us outside of the grantmaking process.
More specifically, it is an opportunity to ask questions and receive technical assistance year-round about a variety of topics such as:
Program logic models (with evaluation plans)
Assessment tools and data collection
Program enhancements/ideas
Community resources – access/connections
Community trends/opportunities
Program implementation barriers/challenges
Application writing/evaluation
Other (you tell us how we can help you)
However, Funder Fridays are not…
Mandatory or required
An opportunity to seek funding or request increased funding
Compliance-related
A training