Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Grant Program

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, is offering a grant opportunity targeted at youth-led initiatives that address suicide prevention across Ohio. This program reflects OSPF’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people and amplifying youth voices in the mental health space. Through this funding opportunity, OSPF intends to support innovative, evidence-informed or evidence-based prevention efforts initiated by students in middle schools, junior high, and high schools. Youth participants are at the core of the initiative, with students driving the design and execution of the proposed activities. Eligible programs can be either part of existing OSPF-supported initiatives such as Sources of Strength and Be Present Ohio or independent efforts like Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Other original, youth-led mental health and suicide prevention programs not affiliated with a larger network are also welcome to apply. This inclusivity is essential to the grant’s mission, which values grassroots initiatives and local leadership. Programs must demonstrate prior experience in youth-led activities and are encouraged to include supporting documentation such as letters of support or press coverage showcasing their impact. Funding will be provided for up to 10 selected proposals, with individual award amounts ranging between $500 and $1,000 per school or program. The funding period spans from March 9, 2026, through June 30, 2026. All funded activities must be completed by the end of this period. Proposals must be submitted by an adult advisor or ally who is responsible for supporting the youth in executing the project. While adult allies handle submission and compliance tasks, the proposal must clearly show that planning and creative direction came from youth participants. The grant funds are flexible and may be used to cover various project-related expenses. Permissible uses include materials and supplies, marketing, equipment, travel, staff salary, food and beverages (for programming purposes), giveaways, and venue rentals. Budget allocations must be outlined using the provided budget and narrative template. A final report, summarizing project implementation, use of funds, and evaluation outcomes, is required by July 15, 2026, although it may be submitted earlier once the activities are complete. Applications must be submitted via email as a PDF attachment to Mamta.Bajgain@OhioSPF.org by February 27, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed by the OSPF Youth Advisory Council (YAC), which is comprised of young leaders from across the state. The council will use a structured rubric to evaluate applications based on proposal clarity, alignment with prevention goals, youth involvement, and feasibility. Funding announcements will be made no later than March 9, 2026. OSPF reserves the right to adjust awards based on available funds or to issue conditional approvals requiring clarification or modification of certain aspects of a proposal. This opportunity is intentionally youth-friendly, and applicants are reassured that creative or less traditional formats will not be penalized. The foundation underscores that the goal of this grant is to promote youth-led innovation and strengthen community-based approaches to mental health and suicide prevention among adolescents in Ohio.