The Health Fund’s Behavioral Health Initiative

The Health Fund's Behavioral Health Initiative aims to improve access to effective mental health and substance use disorder services for Michigan residents, serve populations experiencing significant health disparities, and strengthen the behavioral health system through infrastructure, workforce development, technology, and sustainability planning. For the 2026 cycle, this competitive round serves as a transition year focused on advancing promising supported work and making high-impact investments to address critical behavioral health ecosystem needs affecting Michiganders.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Tribes, local units of government, and the State of Michigan. Organizations must be recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, maintain a current audit or independently reviewed financial statements (or Form 990), and employ at least one paid full-time equivalent employee. Organizations do not need to be based in Michigan, but all funded project activities must occur within Michigan.

Eligible projects must address mental health and substance use disorder needs or systemic behavioral health challenges within Michigan. Projects should demonstrate innovative, evidence-based approaches to enhance service delivery, address disparities, or build sustainable operational capacity.

The application process requires submission of a mandatory concept paper via the Health Fund's Fluxx grant portal by March 30, 2026. Applicants selected to advance are invited by May 5, 2026, to submit a full application due on June 1, 2026. Award decisions are announced on September 15, 2026.