Creating Connections Grants

PEI-based not-for-profit organizations can apply for Creating Connections Grants that provide up to $50,000 in one-time funding for projects of up to 18-months that develop new, or strengthen existing, connections and relationships across sectors (including but not limited to, not-for-profit, health, social services, justice, education, faith institutions, the community, municipalities, business, academia). 

The purpose of a funded connection/relationship is to generate, assess, and scale up effective upstream (preventive) approaches to building resilience and improving mental well-being across the lifespan and across generations.

Up to $250,000 total is available in 2022-2023 for this funding stream. 

Creating Connections Grants

PEI-based not-for-profit organizations can apply for Creating Connections Grants that provide up to $50,000 in one-time funding for projects of up to 18-months that develop new, or strengthen existing, connections and relationships across sectors (including but not limited to, not-for-profit, health, social services, justice, education, faith institutions, the community, municipalities, business, academia). 

The purpose of a funded connection/relationship is to generate, assess, and scale up effective upstream (preventive) approaches to building resilience and improving mental well-being across the lifespan and across generations. 

Up to $250,000 total is available in 2022-2023 for this funding stream. 

Grant funds may be used to cover the following eligible expenses:

  • Training and professional development 
  • Convening meetings and events, including facility rentals and remote meeting costs  
  • Transportation within PEI 
  • Research, evaluation, and dissemination activities 
  • Wages* and fees (e.g., consultants, trainers, expertise not available in the community, honoraria) 
  • Promotional and marketing activities directly related to the project 
  • Reasonable overhead, capital, infrastructure costs directly related to the project to a maximum of 10% of the total grant 
  • Costs associated with the grant’s financial reporting requirements 

      *Wages – Eligibility for wage coverage will be assessed based on the demonstrated need and must cover tasks that (1) do not already fall within a staff’s job and (2) are critical to the success of the project and require additional time. 

      Steps to Apply

      Before applying, applicants should review the Knowledge Base Backgrounder about mental well-being and resilience and the Request for Applications – Guidelines Document for Creating Connections Grant Stream. 

      Step 1

      Download the Application Form Template and the Budget Template

      Step 2

      Complete the Templates according to instructions on the forms 

      Step 3

      Submit your completed Application Form Template, Budget Template, and optional Letters of Support (all in PDF format) to the Grant Program Manager by email at: Grants@AllianceForMentalWellBeing.com 

      Step 4

      Complete base-line knowledge survey (Survey to be forwarded by Grant Program Manager following receipt of application).

      Incomplete applications will not be eligible to advance in the process.

      In your application you will be asked to provide:

      • Project Title and Funding Stream  
      • Contact Information for the Applicant Organization(s) and Project Lead 
      • Information about the Applicant Organization(s) and mandate(s) 
      • Type of organization and PEI region(s) where the project takes place, including specific community and/or settings 
      • A high-level 1-page summary of the project plan, including purpose, relevance and rationale, activities and timeline, estimated budget, and anticipated outcomes.  
      • A detailed proposal to a maximum 10 pages that is structured according to the Evaluation Criteria for this Funding Stream:
        • Alignment – 3 pages,
        • Design & Implementation – 4 pages,
        • Impact – 3 pages 
      • Supplemental Information:  Applicant Organizations are encouraged to submit up to 2, 1-page letters of support to accompany their application.  Accompanying letters will be considered as part of the application’s overall assessment, submitted at the Applicant’s discretion, and can be from organizational partners, communities served, etc. Letters of support should aid in illustrating the project’s intended outcomes, feasibility, and/or its alignment with the Objectives of the Grant Program. 

        Download the full Request for Applications Guidelines document for the detailed description of these categories.

        In your application you will be asked to provide:

        • Project Title and Funding Stream  
        • Contact Information for the Applicant Organization(s) and Project Lead 
        • Information about the Applicant Organization(s) and mandate(s) 
        • Type of organization and PEI region(s) where the project takes place, including specific community and/or settings 
        • A high-level 1-page summary of the project plan, including purpose, relevance and rationale, activities and timeline, estimated budget, and anticipated outcomes.  
        • A detailed proposal to a maximum 10 pages that is structured according to the Evaluation Criteria for this Funding Stream:
          • Alignment – 3 pages,
          • Design & Implementation – 4 pages,
          • Impact – 3 pages 
        • Supplemental Information:  Applicant Organizations are encouraged to submit up to 2, 1-page letters of support to accompany their application.  Accompanying letters will be considered as part of the application’s overall assessment, submitted at the Applicant’s discretion, and can be from organizational partners, communities served, etc. Letters of support should aid in illustrating the project’s intended outcomes, feasibility, and/or its alignment with the Objectives of the Grant Program. 
          Download the full Request for Applications Guidelines document for the detailed description of these categories.

          How will my application be assessed and scored?

          A committee of individuals that reflect the applicant community review all applications using the three criteria that directly align with application requirements: 

          Alignment (30%)

          • Is the rationale and need for the project clearly stated?  
          • How unique is the organization’s approach to the issue, including in comparison to others in the field?  
          • To what extent does the project align with the four Objectives of the Improving Mental Well-being for All: Focusing Action for Positive Change Grant Program? 
          • To what extent does the project align with the purpose of the Funding Stream? 
          • To what extent does the project align with one or more of the three Action Areas? 

          Design & Implementation (30%) 

          • Is the implementation plan, including its timelines and related activities and outputs both realistic and sufficient to achieve the project’s intended outcomes? 
          • Are the specific and complementary contributions of the co-applicants clearly described?   
          • Is it clear how the collaboration between the co-applicants contributes to the project’s success, i.e., that outcomes are enhanced through this collaboration rather than if the applicant worked on its own? 
          • Is it clear that the activities and outputs of the project are well suited to address the identified need/opportunity? 
          • If the project involves stakeholders and partners is there a clear and appropriate plan describing why they will be engaged, how and when?  
          • Do the Applicant Organization and Project Lead have the appropriate expertise, experience, capacity, and time required to deliver on the project? 
          • Is the estimated budget reasonable and well justified? 
          • Is there a clear plan to evaluate the implementation process? 

            Impact (40%)

            • Is there a clear and logical plan for both measuring and documenting the impact (outcomes) of the project (outcome evaluation plan)?  
            • Does the applicant provide a clear and logical plan to summarize and disseminate project outcomes and learnings in a meaningful way? 
            • To what extent does the project hold future potential for adopting and scaleup (either within or beyond its current jurisdictional/community/geographical setting)? 
            • To what extent will the outcomes of the project be sustainable after the grant funding ends? 

            All applicants will be notified about the outcome of their applications by the end of November 2022.

            Who can I contact for more information?

            For more information and to answer grant program questions, please contact the Grant Program Manager at:

            Grants@AllianceForMentalWellBeing.com