At the Children’s Services Fund, we believe that every child deserves the chance to grow up with strong mental health and a supportive family environment. That’s why we’re here to help organizations like yours—organizations that are doing the crucial, everyday work to support kids’ mental health and strengthen families. If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you’re wondering if your nonprofit or community program could benefit from funding to help further this mission.
We want to be a resource for you, to make sure that we’re able to support the incredible work you’re doing. So, let’s dive into what we fund, who we fund and how your organization might fit into our priorities. If you’re in Jackson County and your program supports children and families, we encourage you to read on.
Who Do We Fund and Why?
Our core mission is to provide financial support to programs that address children’s mental health and social-emotional well-being. Our funding focuses on 10 service areas that promote mental health and social-emotional well-being of Jackson County kids. Our focus is in supporting those who serve children and youth under 19, and families in Jackson County. If your organization is doing work that’s making a real difference in these areas, we want to support you. But we also know that each organization is unique, and that’s why we’re here to help you understand whether you align with what we’re looking for.
Key Eligibility Requirements: Are You a Good Fit?
To make sure that we’re supporting organizations that can have the greatest impact on children and families in Jackson County, we have a few important eligibility criteria. These aren’t just boxes to check—they’re the foundation for ensuring that the funding we provide is going to the right programs. Here’s what we look for:
- Your organization must be a Missouri nonprofit or a government entity and you need to be licensed or certified to provide services in Missouri if applicable.
- Annual independent financial audits are required—this is to ensure transparency and accountability, both for us and for the communities we serve. Are you a small organization and have never had an audit? Let’s chat further.
- We want to make sure that the services you provide are available to everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender or age. It’s essential that your organization maintains confidentiality and performs background screenings on staff and volunteers who work directly with kids.
These standards ensure that your program will have the infrastructure to truly serve children and families in need and that the funds we provide will help sustain your work for the long term.
What Does CSF Fund? A Deeper Look
We’re committed to funding programs that directly help children and families and that make a long-term difference in the community. Here’s a closer look at the services we can support:
- Crisis Intervention: Rapid support to help kids stabilize during acute mental health emergencies.
- Home & Community-Based Intervention: Behavioral health services delivered directly in homes and neighborhoods.
- Individual, Group, and Family Counseling: Therapy and evaluations to support mental health and family well-being.
- Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment: Mental health care including diagnosis, therapy and medication management.
- Outpatient Substance Use Treatment: Therapeutic services for youth and families dealing with substance use.
- Prevention: Programs that build coping skills and reduce mental health and substance use risks.
- Respite Care: Short-term shelter and support to help families stay together during stress.
- Services to Teen Parents: Support for young parents through counseling, education and resources.
- Temporary Shelter: Safe housing for youth facing abuse, neglect or homelessness.
- Transitional Living: Housing and support for youth moving from homelessness to stability.
We seek to support programs that truly help children and families overcome challenges. This is why we focus on programs that build long-term strength, resilience and community connection.
How to Apply for Funding: A Simple, Supportive Process
Applying for funding can feel overwhelming, but we want to make the process as easy and transparent as possible for you. On our How to Apply page, we’ve laid out all the steps you need to take and we’re here to walk you through it.
If you’re feeling unsure or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We want to make sure you have everything you need to submit a successful application. Our goal is to work with organizations that are already doing great work and help you expand that impact.
Whether you’re new to funding applications or an experienced nonprofit, we want to be partners in your journey to support children’s mental health and strengthen families in Jackson County.
Ready to Apply? We Want to Help You Grow
If your organization aligns with the CSF’s mission, we encourage you to subscribe to our e-news and watch our website for future funding announcements. If you’re still not sure, we’re more than happy to discuss whether your program is a good fit.
And if you know another organization that might be a good candidate, please refer them to us! The work we do in Jackson County can only succeed through collaboration and we believe that together, we can create a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
