Now Accepting Applications!
Mental health innovations in Durham will be built on YOUR ideas--help us better form the foundation for learning in our public schools.
Each school year, the DPS Foundation offers Innovation Grants to fund projects aimed at increasing equity, accessibility, resources, and opportunities within DPS schools. In the 2022-2023 school year, we launched the WHOLE Schools Fund: a grant specifically focused on mental health and wellness activities to impact our public schools. These projects centered around our foundation of Wellness, Healing, Opportunity, Learning, and Equity (WHOLE) from concept to action.
In the 2023-2024 school year cycle we were able to fund 27 projects totaling $112,392 across 26 different schools in the DPS community. This upcoming cycle (for projects happening during the 2024-25 school year) will be open from May 15th until September 15th.
Looking for inspiration? Here are previously funded WHOLE Schools Fund projects.
Fall 2023 WHOLE Schools Fund Projects
Fall 2022 WHOLE Schools Fund Projects
New! This year we will ask applicants to share how their project utilizes the CDC's identified six school-based strategies and associated approaches for improving mental health and wellness in schools.
Before applying please review the following!
Our Grants Approach
Our grants process is a cohort model, therefore we integrate support, connection, collaboration, and peer-based learning into this grant process. Participation in this cohort model has the following expectations when receiving funding:
Required Participation
Grantee Orientation (Tentative October 5, 2025)
Quarterly Progress check-in via Chit Chats
Grantee Digest Newsletter with Important Updates
Site Visits and Storytelling
Grantee Summit (Tentative May 22, 2025)
DPSF School Bookkeeper Onboarding
Must be completed once and will be offered quarterly in the event of staff turnover
Optional Offerings
Monthly Fun-datory Opportunities
Weekly Drop-In Support Hours with Taylor
Important Dates
Application opens May 15th and closes September 15th
Support Sessions
2 Pizza and Planning Sessions (in-person) - June 18th and August 29th
At the WG Pearson Center (600 East Umstead Street - Register Here)
Recipients will be notified if they are grantee recipients on October 1st.
Grantee Kickoff will take place on October 5th, 2024 (tentative)
October 15th, 2024 Grantees begin receiving funding
Grantee Summit (Tentative May 22, 2025)
All funds and the final update will need to be completed by July 15th, 2025.