Grant Opportunity Spotlight: APF Direct Action Visionary Grant for Churches and Nonprofits

Ink & Insights
Jul 29
3 min read

Are you looking for a grant opportunity for churches and nonprofits that supports innovative community programs aligned with evidence-based mental health and wellness initiatives? The American Psychological Foundation’s Direct Action Visionary Grant could be a powerful funding avenue for your next project.

About the Grant

The APF Direct Action Visionary Grant offers up to $60,000 to support projects that use evidence-based psychological principles to serve marginalized communities, end prejudice and stigma, prevent violence, and explore mind-body health connections.

Churches, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits are encouraged to design community programs that:

✅ Provide mental health outreach or workshops

✅ Address trauma and violence prevention

✅ Support mind-body wellness initiatives

✅ Reduce stigma around seeking mental health support

✅ Bridge evidence-based interventions to underserved communities

Next Deadline: Letters of Intent are due by October 31, 2025 for the upcoming review cycle.

Why This Grant Opportunity Matters for Your Nonprofit's and Church's' Community

Access to mental health resources and violence prevention programs remains a critical gap in many communities. Faith-based spaces and community nonprofits are often trusted hubs where families and individuals feel safe seeking help.

Through this grant opportunity for churches and nonprofits, you can launch or expand initiatives such as:

✅ Parenting groups addressing family violence and stress

✅ Youth violence prevention programs

✅ Trauma-informed support groups

✅ Mental health and nutrition workshops

✅ Bilingual community wellness programs

✅ Stigma-reduction education aligned with community values

By bringing evidence-based programming directly into communities, these initiatives can reduce crises, foster resilience, and improve health and wellness outcomes.

Pro Tip: Pull Local Mental Health Statistics to Strengthen Your Proposal

To make your grant opportunity for churches and nonprofits application stand out, gather local mental health and community wellness statistics that show the need in your county or service area. You can:

✅ Use your county health department’s community health needs assessments (often available on their websites).

✅ Explore state department of health data dashboards for rates of mental health conditions, youth suicide, or substance abuse.

✅ Check CDC’s PLACES or County Health Rankings for local mental health indicators.

✅ Request local mental health providers or coalitions to share aggregate data on community needs.

Including these local statistics in your APF Direct Action Visionary Grant application will demonstrate the urgency and relevance of your proposed project, connecting your program to measurable community needs.

How Exousia Can Help

At Exousia, we specialize in helping churches and nonprofits prepare strong, evidence-informed grant proposals aligned with funder priorities. For the APF Direct Action Visionary Grant, we can help your organization by:

✅ Identifying evidence-based psychological interventions that fit your mission and community needs.

✅ Structuring your Letter of Intent and full proposal to demonstrate impact and alignment with APF’s Visionary Priorities.

✅ Designing effective data collection and evaluation plans to measure behavioral change and community impact.

✅ Developing clear budgets and sustainability plans for your program.

✅ Positioning your church or nonprofit to effectively bridge faith and mental wellness in your community.

Ready to Take Action?

The APF Direct Action Visionary Grant is a grant opportunity for churches and nonprofits ready to expand mental health, wellness, and violence prevention in their communities using proven, evidence-based approaches. This is your chance to secure up to $60,000 to launch impactful initiatives that reduce stigma, address trauma, and improve wellness for families in your congregation or neighborhood.