Grants up to $150,000 to promote mental health by strengthening Queensland’s community-driven mental health initiatives, targeting vulnerable groups and addressing local needs across the state.
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What is the Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants?
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants 2024 support Queensland’s strategic approach to promoting mental health and preventing mental ill-health. The Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) administers the grants as part of the Thriving Lives, Connected Communities strategy. This program seeks to enhance community resilience and wellbeing through evidence-based, place-based approaches.
With a funding pool of $9 million, the grants aim to strengthen community-driven mental health initiatives, targeting vulnerable groups and addressing local needs across the state.
MHWB level of support
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants 2024 offer three funding categories:
- Up to $50,000
- Up to $100,000
- Up to $150,000
No co-contribution is required. However, if an application exceeds the upper limit of a funding category, the applicant must identify the funding source to cover the gap. Requests that exceed the limit without an identified funding source will not be considered.
MHWB important dates
- Applications close: 5pm AEST, Thursday 10 October 2024
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
MHWB objectives and outcomes
The grants aim to:
- Support and promote mental health and wellbeing in Queensland communities.
- Enhance protective factors and reduce risks associated with mental ill-health.
- Encourage early help-seeking behaviours and improve mental health literacy.
- Address issues related to suicide prevention and alcohol and other drugs (AOD).
To foster equitable outcomes, the grants will fund initiatives that meet the needs of priority cohorts such as:
- people living in rural, regional and remote communities
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- children and young people
- older people
- people who identify as LGBTQIA+
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including refugees and asylum seekers
- people who experience complex socio-economic circumstances and other vulnerabilities (e.g. homelessness, domestic and family violence, interaction with the justice system), and
- carers and supporters of people with lived experience of mental ill-health, problematic alcohol and other drug use, and suicidality.
Projects and expenditure eligible for MHWB support
Eligible projects must align with the program’s objectives and can include:
- Community events or group programs aimed at promoting mental wellbeing.
- Arts-based or cultural activities designed to improve social and emotional wellbeing.
- Youth mental health initiatives.
- Programs focused on enhancing help-seeking behaviour and mental health literacy.
Ineligible expenditures include:
- Clinical mental health services or AOD treatment.
- Major capital works or infrastructure upgrades.
- General operational expenses such as rent or utilities.
- Travel outside Queensland or unrelated activities.
- Salaries for staff not directly involved in the project.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for MHWB support.
Other MHWB important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for MHWB support
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a Queensland-based not-for-profit organisation.
- Hold an ABN and, if applicable, be registered for GST.
- Have appropriate insurances (public liability, workers’ compensation, etc.).
- Ensure there are no outstanding financial or service delivery issues with prior government funding.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
MHWB assessment criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed against the following weighted criteria:
1. Alignment with Grant Objectives (25%)
- Identifies the priority cohort(s) the activity targets.
- Demonstrates how the initiative addresses one or more grant objectives.
- Provides a clear methodology, milestones, and budget to achieve the intended outputs and outcomes.
- Outlines how the initiative will benefit the community beyond the funding period.
2. Use of Place-based Approach (20%)
- Identifies where the initiative will be delivered and why that location was chosen.
- Demonstrates evidence of local needs or gaps and builds on community strengths.
- Engages community stakeholders in the planning and delivery of the project.
3. Evidence-based Rationale (15%)
- Provides an evidence-based or evidence-informed rationale for the initiative.
- Considers innovation and how it will generate new evidence.
- Details how the initiative’s outcomes will be measured and evaluated.
4. Inclusion of Lived Experience (15%)
- Demonstrates how individuals with lived experience of mental ill-health, AOD use, or suicide will be involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the initiative.
5. Organisational Capability and Partnerships (15%)
- Demonstrates the organisation’s capacity, resources, and experience to deliver the initiative.
- Shows a commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders, such as other organisations, government agencies, and local communities.
6. Delivery in Rural, Regional, or Remote Areas (10%)
- Applications from rural, regional, or remote areas (classified as MMM categories 2-7) will receive additional consideration, provided evidence of location is submitted.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the MHWB?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives
- Provide complete information requirements.
See the guidelines for full details of other requirements.
Information to prepare for the MHWB application
To submit a complete application, you will need to prepare the following:
- A detailed project proposal outlining the initiative’s objectives, methodology, and target outcomes.
- A budget using the template provided via SmartyGrants, detailing how the funding will be used and any co-contribution, if applicable.
- Evidence of your organisation’s location (for rural, regional, or remote applications).
- Proof of insurances (public liability, workers’ compensation, professional indemnity).
- Evidence supporting the need for the initiative, including relevant data or reports.
- Documentation showing engagement with stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience, where applicable.
- Any letters of support or endorsements from relevant community or government bodies.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the MHWB
Applications must be submitted online via SmartyGrants.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
MHWB resources
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