The Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement (MOWA) in Boston has announced the availability of $100,000 in mini-grants aimed at enhancing youth mental health and reducing violence. This initiative includes two separate grant opportunities: one focusing on Women and Girls Mental Health and the other targeting Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention. Applications opened on November 17, 2023, and will close on January 7, 2026.
Funding and Grant Details
MOWA has designated $50,000 for each grant category. The Women and Girls Mental Health Mini-Grant will support applications of up to $9,999 for individual organizations and up to $20,000 for collaborative efforts between two partnering entities. This approach encourages innovative solutions to promote mental well-being among young women and girls.
The second grant will also provide $50,000 to educate young men and boys on healthy relationship skills and effective violence prevention strategies. This initiative acknowledges the critical role that young men play in addressing and reducing violence.
MOWA emphasizes that investing in the mental health and safety of young people is essential for the future of Boston. As noted by Mariangely Solís Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion, “Investing in the well-being and safety of our young people is an investment in Boston’s future.” The city aims to ensure that all community members have access to these resources, regardless of their identity or background.
Application Requirements
Organizations interested in applying for these grants must meet specific criteria. Only recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or those partnering with a fiscal sponsor are eligible. Additionally, applicants must serve Boston residents and demonstrate their capacity to implement culturally responsive outreach programs. They must also maintain solid financial stability and be capable of collecting data on the impact of their activities.
Each collaborative application for the Women and Girls Mental Health Mini-Grant requires a lead applicant along with a partner organization. All funded activities must be completed by June 30, 2026.
Organizations wishing to apply must submit their applications through the city’s grant portal by 5:00 p.m. on January 7, 2026. Detailed instructions and templates for submitting applications can be found on the respective grant pages for the Women and Girls Mental Health Mini-Grant and the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Mini-Grant.
For further inquiries, interested parties can contact Emily Nasiff at (617) 635-2525 or via email at [email protected]. This funding initiative represents a significant step towards addressing crucial mental health and violence prevention issues among Boston’s youth.
