Company
In a continuing effort to address the behavioral health needs of Arkansans, the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas will fund $1 million in grants; grant cycle opens
June 26, 2024
According to a study by KFF, more than 32 percent of Arkansans last year reported symptoms of depression or anxiety, and the state’s suicide rate over the past 13 years has reached levels nearly 50% higher than the national average. In an effort to improve access to quality care for Arkansans struggling with mental health challenges, the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas will be awarding grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 to organizations seeking to fund behavioral health programs. The grant cycle opens July 1.
Three years ago, the Blue & You Foundation made a commitment to improving the mental well-being of Arkansas communities, including access to quality, affordable care,” said Foundation President Rebecca Pittillo. “Since then, we have awarded over $14 million to groups around the state that are changing lives today.”
Former grant recipients include the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County. Last year, the Club was awarded $150,000 to launch Project Mindful Matters, establishing professional counseling services for under-served youth.
It came on the heels of a 2022 survey by the Arkansas Department of Human Services that found after the pandemic, nearly 14 percent of Benton County 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders felt their family relationships were suffering, 21 percent felt hopeless a lot of the time, 23 percent felt worthless, and nearly 12 percent said they weren’t getting enough access to counseling services at school.
Matt Taliaferro, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County said, “We cannot thank the Blue & You Foundation enough for their partnership and support in helping solve the youth mental health crisis in our community. With this funding, we created Project Mindful Matters, a groundbreaking initiative designed to increase access to critical youth mental health services and foster resilience among the 800 youth we serve every day. The impact was immediate and has absolutely transformed our organization.
To be considered for grant funding, applicants must submit a letter of intent to blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org between July 1-12.
Programs should focus on providing at least one of the following:
- Access to quality mental healthcare
- Awareness, education and outreach
- Crisis care
- Early intervention
- Mental health innovation
- Assistance with substance use disorder
- Suicide prevention
- Preventative behavioral healthcare
- To qualify for a grant, applicants should be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization; a public school, college or university; or a city, county or state governmental agency. Applicants will be notified by email on July 26 if their letter of intent is approved and the application process is open to the organization. Award notifications will be emailed November 5.