The Rare Impact Fund, founded by Selena Gomez, has launched a major Request for Proposals (RFP) 2026 to strengthen the nonclinical youth mental health workforce in the United States.

This funding opportunity will provide $250,000 to $500,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations working to expand access to youth mental health support, workforce development, and community-based care systems.

If your organization is focused on youth mental health, workforce development, or community-based support systems, this is a significant funding opportunity to scale your impact.

About the Rare Impact Fund

The Rare Impact Fund was established to address the global youth mental health crisis by increasing access to:

Mental health care
Stigma-free community support
Culturally responsive resources

The Fund is mobilizing $100 million and currently supports 30 nonprofit partners across five continents, focusing on:

School-based mental health solutions
Networks of support
Suicide prevention and crisis response

The initiative is fiscally sponsored by the Hopewell Fund, a U.S.-based public charity supporting innovative social change projects.

What Is the 2026 Funding Opportunity?

The Rare Impact Fund is investing $2.5 million+ in organizations that strengthen the nonclinical youth mental health workforce.

Grant Details

Funding Amount: $250,000 – $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Total Funding Pool: $2.5M+
Number of Grants: At least 5 organizations

Funded projects should focus on building a sustainable pipeline of nonclinical mental health providers supporting young people.

Who Are Nonclinical Mental Health Providers?

Nonclinical providers are individuals who support youth mental health without providing formal clinical diagnosis or treatment.

They play a critical role in expanding access to care through community-based, culturally relevant, and stigma-free support.

Examples include:

Community Health Workers
Peer Support Specialists
Care Navigators
Health Educators

These professionals:

Provide guidance, mentorship, and emotional support
Help youth navigate services
Deliver prevention and education programmes
Extend the reach of clinical systems

Why This Funding Matters

The youth mental health crisis is growing rapidly:

Over 12 million young people experience mental health disorders annually
Most lack access to adequate care
93% of behavioral health workers report burnout

There is a critical shortage of licensed clinicians, making nonclinical providers essential to bridging the gap.

However, these roles are often:

Undervalued
Underpaid
Lacking clear career pathways

This initiative aims to professionalize and strengthen this workforce while improving outcomes for young people.

What Projects Will Be Funded?

The Rare Impact Fund is looking for projects that strengthen the full workforce pipeline, including:

1. Attraction and Recruitment

Bringing diverse individuals into mental health roles

2. Development and Training

Building skills and competencies

3. Placement and Entry

Supporting transition into real roles

4. Upskilling and Career Growth

Providing advancement opportunities

5. Retention and Sustainability

Ensuring long-term workforce stability

Successful projects should be:

Community-rooted
Evidence-based
Youth-centered
Focused on workforce development (not direct service delivery alone)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, organizations must:

Be a registered nonprofit (501(c)(3) or equivalent)
Operate in the United States
Focus program activities within the U.S.
Be non-political
Submit only one application
Request between $250,000 and $500,000

Organizations must also commit to:

Annual cohort meetings
Learning sessions (quarterly)
Reporting and storytelling activities

Priority Considerations

Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate:

Experience supporting nonclinical mental health providers
Strong focus on youth populations
Workforce development expertise
Integration of youth voice and lived experience
Clear equity strategies targeting underserved communities

Application Process

The application follows a two-stage process:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

Applicants must submit:

1–2 page narrative
Organizational background and experience
Proposed program overview
Workforce gap addressed
Youth focus and equity strategy

Apply here: https://forms.gle/jeP6kpsLMt6haw9m8

Stage 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

Top 60 applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal including:

Program design
Theory of change
Budget and sustainability plan
Due diligence documentation

Key Dates

LOI Opens: March 9, 2026
Webinar: March 18, 2026
LOI Deadline: April 10, 2026
Full Proposal Invitations: May 11, 2026
Full Proposal Deadline: June 12, 2026
Grant Awards Announced: August 2026
Funding Distributed: September–October 2026

Informational Webinar

An applicant webinar will be held to explain:

Program goals
Eligibility requirements
Application process

Organizations must register in advance to attend. A recording will be shared afterward.

What Success Looks Like

The initiative aims to achieve:

Stronger career pathways for nonclinical providers
Improved workforce retention
Increased recognition of nonclinical roles
Better youth mental health outcomes

For the first time, the Rare Impact Fund is launching a public Request for Proposals, allocating more than $2.5 million in total – including a $500,000 investment from the Enlight Foundation – to strengthen the nonclinical youth mental health workforce. This new grant program will support nonprofits across the workforce talent pipeline, from recruitment and training to retention, with a focus on roles that support young people outside traditional clinical settings.

This is a high-impact funding opportunity for organizations working at the intersection of:

Youth development
Mental health
Workforce systems

By strengthening the nonclinical workforce, this initiative has the potential to transform how young people access mental health support at scale.

APPLY NOW

Explore More Opportunities

For more global grants, fellowships, and funding opportunities:

Visit: https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=grant

Rare Impact Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) 2026: $2.5M+ Grants to Strengthen Youth Mental Health Workforce (Up to $500,000) @Unknown