What is the Kindness in Community Fund?

The Kindness in Community Fund is a fund created by Born This Way Foundation in 2022, and expanded internationally in 2024. It aims to support organizations that are directly addressing the emerging and changing mental health needs of young people in various countries. The Kindness in Community Fund is committed to funding organizations that provide free and accessible resources to proactively support youth mental health.

Which countries are eligible for funding from the Kindness in Community Fund?

At this time, the Kindness in Community Fund is open to organizations based in the following countries:

• Australia
• Brazil 
• Canada 
• Czech Republic 
• Denmark 
• France 
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• New Zealand
• Poland 
• Portugal
• Singapore 
• South Africa 
• Spain 
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Thailand 
• United Kingdom
• United States 
• Other

Don’t see your country listed? You are welcome to nominate organizations in other countries. While we do not have funding opportunities outside of the countries listed above at this time, we welcome nominations from additional countries and will keep them on file should additional funding become available.

What kind of organizations is the Kindness in Community Fund hoping to support?

The Kindness in Community Fund seeks to support tax-exempt organizations, non-profits, NGOs, and similar types of organizations focused on mental health that meet the following criteria:

• Informed and/or led by young people
• Rooted in practices of cultivating community, inclusion, and equity at all levels
• Provide free and accessible mental health resources

How much funding does the Kindness in Community Fund provide to individual organizations?

Born This Way Foundation commits grants for individual organizations of up to $150,000 USD.

How can I nominate an organization for the Kindness in Community Fund?

We’re especially eager to receive nominations from young people between 15-24 years old about the local mental health organizations making a difference in their communities, and we will place greater weight on the nominations they submit. Additionally, if you have any questions during the application process, you can email [email protected].

What is the deadline for nominations?

Nominations for the Kindness in Community Fund are due by 12 PM PST on June 30, 2025. Be sure to submit your nominations before the deadline to be considered.

What is the purpose of the Kindness in Community Fund?

The purpose of the Kindness in Community Fund is to address unmet needs in youth mental health by supporting the organizations in countries around the world that serve them directly. Born This Way Foundation aims to work in partnership with these organizations to learn from them and make a high impact in youth mental health. The fund seeks to simplify the process and make it as impactful as possible.

How will the Kindness in Community Fund support organizations and youth communities?

The Kindness in Community Fund will provide financial grants to selected organizations, allowing them to respond directly to the emerging and changing mental health needs of the youth communities they serve. The fund aims to promote kindness and community spirit in supporting mental health.

Can organizations from countries not listed participate in the Kindness in Community Fund?

Currently, the Kindness in Community Fund is limited to the countries listed above. However, organizations from other countries are encouraged to stay informed for future funding opportunities from Born This Way Foundation or explore other resources and grants available in their respective regions. If you have any additional questions or need further assistance, please reach out to [email protected].

When will the selected organizations for the Kindness in Community Fund be announced?

The organizations selected for the Kindness in Community Fund will be announced by December 2025. Born This Way Foundation will review the nominations and make their decisions alongside our international Youth Advisory Board, taking into account the eligibility criteria and the alignment with the fund’s objectives. The selected organizations will be notified of their acceptance and funding in fall of 2025. Please stay tuned for updates and announcements during that time.

How old do I have to be to nominate an organization for the Kindness in Community Fund?

Our hope is for our work to always be led and informed by youth perspectives first. To ensure a youth-first approach in the nomination process, Born This Way Foundation is especially eager to learn from young people between 15-24 years old about the local mental health organizations making a difference in their communities, and we will place greater weight on the nominations they submit. If you are under the age of 13, you must have your legal guardian’s permission to submit the form. As the fund aims to serve young people and prioritize their needs, involving young people in the nomination process is an essential part of creating a meaningful impact on youth mental health. Whether you are a young person or someone who supports and advocates for youth mental health, your nominations are valuable in shaping the future of the Kindness in Community Fund.

What types of organizations qualify for mental health support through the Kindness in Community Fund?

Born This Way Foundation recognizes that many different types of organizations play a crucial role in supporting mental health. Previous grantees have done this through providing:

• Direct mental health services
• Educational support 
• General health and wellness
• Youth advocacy / human rights 
• LGBTQ+ support and advocacy
• Mentoring programs
• Gender specific programming
• Youth leadership and development/professional and career development
• And more!

The primary consideration for eligibility is whether the organization supports the mental wellbeing of young people. The focus is on providing free and accessible resources that address the emerging and changing mental health needs of youth in communities. Learn more about past organizations that received Kindness in Community Fund grants, here.