Behavioral Health Grant Writing & Federal Funding Strategy

Behavioral Health Grant Writing & Federal Funding Strategy

SAMHSA distributes more than $6 billion annually in behavioral health funding through discretionary grants, formula block grants, and targeted program investments. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's grant opportunities span the full behavioral health continuum — from crisis services and co-occurring disorder treatment to peer support, workforce development, and evidence-based practice expansion.

Beyond SAMHSA, behavioral health organizations have access to HRSA behavioral health integration grants for primary care settings, DOJ and ONDCP justice-involved population grants, CMS innovation grants through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), state mental health authority and substance abuse authority funding streams, opioid abatement settlement funds, and a robust private and corporate foundation funding landscape.

Capturing this funding requires knowing what is available, understanding each funder's specific priorities and requirements, writing proposals that make a compelling and evidence-based case, and managing the grant compliance obligations that come with each award.

Funding Sources We Pursue

• SAMHSA Discretionary Grants
  Identification and pursuit of SAMHSA funding opportunities for crisis services, workforce, trauma, telehealth, and specialty programs.

• MHBG & SAPT Block Grant Funding
  Support competing for state-distributed mental health and substance use block grant awards.

• CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Funding
  Guidance on CCBHC designation and access to enhanced Medicaid prospective payment funding.

• HRSA Behavioral Health Integration Grants
  Grant support for FQHCs and healthcare organizations integrating behavioral health services.

• Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds
  Strategy and application support for state and local opioid settlement funding opportunities.

• Private & Corporate Foundation Funding
  Identification and pursuit of foundation and corporate grants aligned with behavioral health and health equity goals.