Mental Health Request For Proposals

Mental Health Service Access and Availability

Overview

Moses Taylor Foundation embraces a whole-person approach that intentionally focuses on mental health and well-being in its mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to support projects that further the Foundation’s mission by expanding access to and increasing the availability of mental and behavioral health services for adults within the Foundation’s 11-county region. This funding opportunity seeks innovative, evidence-based solutions and promising practices that will achieve one or more of the following goals:

• Strengthen the care continuum
• Increase the availability of and diversity of providers
• Integrate mental health services in health care and non-health care settings
• Eliminate barriers to care

Funding Opportunity

The Foundation has allocated $750,000 per year for a two-year period to meet this need, with requests expected to range from $75,000 to $150,000 per year. This opportunity is designed to support work that will demonstrate progress in year one and the ability to achieve measurable outcomes within a two-year timeframe. The interventions outlined below are designed to align with and advance the overarching goals of strengthening the care continuum, increasing provider availability and diversity, integrating mental health services across settings, and eliminating barriers to care. We anticipate funded projects will incorporate aspects of at least one of the interventions outlined below:

• Develop greater alignment between entities working to improve access to care, such as establishing a coordinated care navigation and referral system that provides individuals with continuity of care at all stages of their mental health journey
• Increase availability of and diversity of provider types across the full spectrum of need to improve access to care, reduce the burden on existing providers, and decrease service wait times – all while offering a relatable and supportive resource
• Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for all mental and behavioral health provider types, ensuring they are knowledgeable about the latest evidence-based practices and innovations in mental health care
• Integrate mental health services in places where people are already accessing health care, including primary care, family medicine, women’s health centers, pediatrics, and other specialty areas, as well as non-health community-based settings
• Utilize telehealth, mobile apps, and other digital platforms to provide remote mental health services, ensuring greater accessibility, particularly for individuals in rural or underserved areas
• Address the logistical, financial, and/or cultural barriers to accessing mental health services, especially for high-need or underserved communities
• Ensure that mental health services are culturally-sensitive and linguistically-accessible, addressing the unique needs of diverse populations to improve engagement and outcomes

Timeline

Activity	Dates
Funding opportunity released and online application portal opens	October 30, 2024
Submit questions about the funding opportunity	By November 15, 2024
Answers to the questions posted on the Foundation website	November 22, 2024
Pre-submission meetings	November 25, 2024 – January 17, 2025
Submission deadline	January 27, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Finalist notifications	By February 10, 2025
Proposal meetings (virtual)	February 24-28, 2025
Grantees selected and notified	March 27, 2025

How to Apply

The complete RFP criteria, guidelines, and process can be accessed here.

Applicants are required to schedule a meeting with Lisa Savero-Mooney before submission of the proposal. This allows staff to learn about the organization’s needs and interests and advise the organization on the best fit within this funding opportunity.

Proposals must be submitted via the Foundation’s applicant portal by 5:00 p.m. on January 27, 2025.

About Mindful Philanthropy

We extend our sincere gratitude to Mindful Philanthropy for their support and guidance throughout the development of this Request for Proposals. Mindful Philanthropy is a nonprofit leader in mental health philanthropy dedicated to catalyzing impactful funding in mental health, addiction, and well-being. Their foundational research and expertise are instrumental in guiding strategic mental health funding opportunities, including this opportunity, to improve mental health support access and availability in our community.

For more information, visit www.mindfulphilanthropy.org.