Mini Grant for Youth-Led Mental Wellness Projects

Project Priority

Priority will be given to proposals that accomplish one or more of the following: 

• Support the development of youth leadership skills, such as working as a group, project planning, creative development, public speaking, and others; 
• Raise awareness of mental health and work to reduce misinformation or negative perceptions of mental health challenges; 
• Works to address a challenge or issue that impacts the mental health of young people; 
• Has the potential to impact many youths or students, with different life experiences; 
• Has the potential to impact youth in rural areas of the state; or 
• Has the potential to impact adults who support young people, such as their families, educators, or other caregivers.  

Project Requirements

Projects must meet the following requirements: 

• Be created and led by a youth group consisting of at least three young people (between ages 10 to 21);
• Identify a supportive adult to serve as a primary point of contact within the sponsoring organization;
• Provide an interim progress report by May 31, 2023 and a final progress report by August 31, 2023;  and
• Provide required documentation of expenditures, and return any unspent funding within a specified period following the end of the grant period. 

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: 

• Eligible entities are state or local municipalities, Local Mental or Behavioral Health Authorities, public or private non-profit, community-based organizations, or local education agencies;
• Eligible applicants must be able to enter into an agreement with the University of Texas at Austin, provide fiscal oversight and reporting on grant expenditures, and provide an interim and final report summarizing progress; and
• The applicant organization should ensure that appropriate support and supervision is provided to youth in the completion of youth activities, and any necessary permissions are obtained from legal guardians of participating youth. Please note that grant funds may not be spent on food or drinks. 

We’re not sure what progress report and final report is needed.  Would this come from a youth as well or an adult? We noticed it said an adult would be the person of contact, but the youth is to write and prepare the proposal?  At any time do you need to speak to the youth?  Will the youth have to do a presentation?

• The interim progress report as well as the final progress report is to be completed by the youth with the guidance of the sponsoring organization, if needed. The reports will not need to be anything extremely intensive. Details and further instructions for the reports will be provided if awarded.
• We will at no point need to speak to the youth. The appointed contact is the only one we will ever reach out to. Although we will never reach out directly to the youth, the youth are expected to lead the project and complete the designated youth section of the grant application. 
• The youth will not be required to give a presentation.

Will youth have to speak in front of a group? After the application, are there any other processes that have to be fulfilled?

The youth would not be required to speak to any of us publicly. If awarded a grant, there would be two follow-up reports required by the youth and their sponsoring organization. The first would be a progress report and then there’s a final report.

Can grant funds be used to pay expenses of a mental health project that is already completed or underway?

No, funds can only be used for projects initiated during the grant year. Projects already underway or completed are not eligible for the use of grant funds.

Can we apply for this grant as a team or do we need to go through a non-profit organization or a municipality? We are requesting our local Mayor’s office to be our sponsor…

In order to apply, your team would need to go through a state or local municipality, local mental or behavioral health authority, public or private non-profit, community-based organization, or local education agency. The local mayor's office would be eligible to serve as your sponsor.

If our city agrees to be our sponsor, would the grant money be awarded to them in case we win? And what are their responsibilities? 

The city would need to be able to accept funds, enter into an agreement with the University of Texas at Austin, provide fiscal oversight and reporting on grant expenditures, and provide an interim and final report summarizing progress of project carryout. The applicant organization should ensure that appropriate support and supervision is provided to youth in the completion of youth activities, and any necessary permissions are obtained from legal guardians of participating youth.

What are the allowable and nonallowable purchases for the Mini Grant for Youth-Led Mental Wellness Projects? 

Funds should be used for supplies, equipment, speakers, and other expenses that directly enable your ability to carry out your specific project. Expenses related to the project implementation is permitted. Funds cannot be used to compensate any of the youth or organizational staff who are involved in the project for their time. Additionally, grant funds cannot be used for purchasing food. The proposed budget will allow for the opportunity to have expenses authorized prior to purchasing. Grantees are able to reach out with any questions or concerns about eligible expenses throughout the duration of the project.