We are excited to share that the Mental Health and Safety Services Funding for Trans and Nonbinary Youth Request for Proposals is now open! This funding opportunity closes at 5 p.m. Eastern August 28, 2025. Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati will only consider applications submitted by that deadline.

Click here to view the full funding opportunity details.

Click here to access the application.

About this opportunity:

Mental health challenges among youth have reached crisis levels nationwide—and transgender and gender nonbinary youth are being hit the hardest. A recent study found that anti-transgender legislation has fueled a dramatic rise in suicide attempts among these youth, underscoring the urgent need for action. In response, the City of Cincinnati has committed $500,000 over two years to support mental health and safety services tailored to transgender and nonbinary youth. This initiative, informed by a community survey conducted by Interact for Health, aims to close critical service gaps in partnership with local schools, nonprofits, and foundations. Learn more about the crisis, the city’s response, and the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati to seek creative ideas and approaches to support the mental health needs of diverse trans and nonbinary youth in Cincinnati.

Eligibility

The RFP is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (or those under fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)3) serving the needs of neighborhoods within the geographic boundaries of the City of Cincinnati. Applications should support the project goals of providing program services and support to fill gaps in existing health and safety services for Cincinnati’s trans and nonbinary youth; procuring additional services to fill those gaps; collaborating with others to deliver and promote services; and tracking the impact of funding with measurable metrics. The competitive application process will prioritize organizations with annual operating budgets of less than $1 million and those with demonstrated experience with trans and nonbinary youth, BIPOC youth, and youth from a range of socioeconomic levels.

Process

Please review the full RFP document here and complete the application via Google Forms here. Complete applications must be received by Community Shares no later than 5 p.m. Eastern August 28.

If you wish to preview the application questions, you may do so here. In addition, a template you may use to record and upload your budget is available here.

Questions

Contact Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati CEO T. Duane Gordon at dgordon@cintishares.org or 513-724-4483.