2026 CORE FUNDING STATUS

CURRENT STATUS Funding Opportunity

NEXT CYCLE May 4th

Calendar Year Core Funding Timeline

May 4, 2026 Letter of Intent Opens
May 29, 2026 Letter of Intent Due
June 22, 2026 Invitation to Apply Sent
July 24, 2026 Full Project Proposal Due
August 17, 2026 Partner Conversations Begin
September 11, 2026 Partner Conversations Conclude
October 5, 2026 External Affairs State Discussion
October 16, 2026 Funding Decisions Announced

If funding is open:

If your organization aligns with an open cycle, you can continue below to review our application process.

If funding is closed:

If funding isn’t currently open, take time to learn more about The Children’s Services Fund and how our funding process works.

STAY UP TO DATE

Investing in the Mental Health and Well-Being of Jackson County Kids

Empowering Youth Through Core Funding

Core Funding is at the heart of our mission to make transformative investments in the mental health and emotional well-being of children in Jackson County. It supports organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and families, enabling them to provide essential services that strengthen protective factors, mental health and social-emotional well-being. This funding is central to creating lasting impact, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Organizations can access Core Funding through two different funding cycles to best meet the needs of the organization. For traditional non-profit organizations, calendar year funding (January 1 – December 31) is the intended option to provide support. For schools and school-based/school-adjacent services, academic year funding (July 1 – June 30) is available. Both cycles follow a clear and structured process for requesting and awarding funds, with flexibility to suit different program needs. The application process has been streamlined to allow for more equitable access, with applicants now engaging in in-person presentations rather than submitting lengthy applications. This change fosters stronger relationships between the CSF and funded partners and levels the playing field for all organizations.

Who We Fund

What We Fund

We fund 10 service areas as outlined in state statute that promote mental health and social-emotional well-being of Jackson County kids.

Counseling and Assessment

Supportive services promote the wellbeing of children and families with psychological evaluations, mental health screenings, therapy, and therapeutic case management.

Crisis Intervention

Short-term acute mental health services that stabilize the child, reduce crisis intensity, connect the family with resources, and help return the child to a pre-crisis state.

Family Support Interventions

Home and community-based services that provide integrated support for children and their caregivers, both together and through child-focused approaches that build protective factors, enhance stability, and support the well-being of the whole family.

Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment

Children receive comprehensive psychiatric services from evaluation and diagnosis to treatment and medication management.

Outpatient Substance Use Treatment

Children and families receive outpatient substance use services, including education, early interventions, counseling, treatment, recovery plans, and aftercare support.

Prevention

Services to help children learn coping strategies, strengthen relationships with positive adults and their wider communities, and build life-long social-emotional and personal safety skills.

Respite Care

Provides temporary care for children to offer relief to caregivers, proactively or during periods of crisis or stress, thereby preserving the family unit.

Supports for Teen Parents

Young parents develop positive parenting skills, receive counseling and behavioral health supports, and receive resources and referrals.

Temporary Shelter

Children experiencing abuse, neglect, houselessness, or other housing barriers can live in a safe, stable environment for up to 30 days with supportive services.

Transitional Living

Provides safe living arrangements, counseling, and essential support to help older youth and families with children transition to stable housing.

Cultivation: Nurturing Growth for Future Core Partners

Cultivation funding supports organizations that are in the early stages of program growth, with the goal of preparing them for eventual Core Funding. Cultivation Funding aligns with the same 10 service areas as Core Funding, and provides resources to fully develop programming while also strengthening organizational capacity as a precursor to future success. Cultivation Funding recipients are chosen through requests for Core Funding. Explore our current Cultivation partners. Coming Soon

Core Funding Impact and Outcomes

Core Funding is focused on achieving tangible, long-lasting outcomes that contribute to the well-being and success of children and families. Our investments strengthen youth mental health, reducing maladaptive symptoms and behaviors. They also foster protective factors to decrease incidents of abuse and neglect. We prioritize increasing skills and knowledge around personal safety and social-emotional well-being, leading to safer and healthier lives. Outcomes are key drivers in our funding decisions, ensuring meaningful change within the community.

Learn how Core Funding can help you achieve these critical outcomes.
How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions Core Funding

Our Community Impact Framework

We make funding decisions based on key areas of impact and specific activities and outcomes. This framework is designed to support programs focused on prevention and resilience to prepare children for future success by preventing adverse childhood experiences and/or assisting children in healing from past traumas. Take a closer look at what guides our funding decisions. See the Framework

About Our Core Funding Partners

Comprehensive community health models at the heart of Nurture KC’s programs

Nurture KC, a local organization dedicated exclusively to addressing infant and maternal health issues, has been steadfastly serving the Kansas City metro area since its inception in 2000.

Fostering Resilient Futures Through Trauma-Informed School Programs

Synergy Services works toward children’s mental health through trauma-informed programs, curriculum, and counseling in Jackson County schools.

CSF and Mother’s Refuge Redefine Teen Maternity Care for Children’s Well-being

CSF and Mother’s Refuge partner to redefine maternity care for teen mothers and pioneer a transitional living program to ensure the well-being of Jackson County’s youngest citizens.

Want to learn more about the incredible organizations we support? Visit our blog to see how organizations are making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Explore our blog

Want to stay up-to-date on our funding and partners’ work?

Every month, we keep our partners, schools, parents, and community members and leaders informed about the important, innovative ways we’re working for Jackson County kids. Sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox.

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name
First Last
Email