Growing Community Care

A Community Mental Health Project Incubator

Some of the most meaningful approaches to mental health begin with people who recognize a need in their communities and have an idea for how to respond. But turning an idea into a sustained program requires funding, practical systems, supportive relationships, and time.

Growing Community Care is a proposed YAAP incubator designed to help those ideas take root. We aim to support community-centered mental health initiatives, including clinical and nonclinical models, with the resources and relationships needed to move from ideas to sustainable practice.

What the incubator would offer

  • Fiscal sponsorship: For eligible projects, access to charitable funding infrastructure without immediately establishing a separate nonprofit, subject to necessary legal, financial, and organizational approvals.

  • Project development and organizational support: Hands-on help with program design, fundraising, budgeting, governance, communications, community engagement, evaluation, and sustainable operational systems.

  • Connection and shared learning: Opportunities to learn alongside project leaders, share resources, navigate challenges, and develop partnerships.

Who we hope to support

  • Individuals, mental health professionals, emerging initiatives, and small organizations developing accessible, community-centered approaches to mental health. Examples include community-based counseling, peer support, creative expression, emotional learning, belonging initiatives, and culturally responsive programs that connect clinical care with community support.

  • We are particularly interested in projects informed by lived experience and shaped with the communities they serve.

  • Clinical initiatives must meet applicable licensing, insurance, privacy, and safeguarding requirements; incubation does not automatically confer fiscal sponsorship eligibility.

Expression of Interest Form

Please fill out the form below and let us know what support you need right now. We will be in touch to explore how YAAP can help.