The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is accepting proposals for best practice suicide prevention activities planned and completed by youth-led programs in Ohio. Proposals may be connected to programs and campaigns already supported by OSPF, such as Sources of Strength and Be Present Ohio or programs unconnected to OSPF, like SADD and original youth-led programs. 

Funding Period: March 3, 2025 – June 30, 2025 

Issue date: December 5, 2024 

Award Amount: Up to $750 (limit one proposal per school/program) 

Eligibility: Youth-led programs in Ohio featuring participants in middle school, junior high, and/or high school.  

Questions: Contact Evi.Roberts@OhioSPF.org no later than February 14, 2025.

Funding and support for this RFP comes from OSPF and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Applications are due February 21th, 2025

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) is seeking applicants for the 2025 OSPF Youth Advisory Council (YAC). This group will consist of Ohio high school students who recognize the power of young people to support mental health in their schools and communities, and who are driven to influence suicide prevention across the state.

In Spring of 2025, OSPF will fund up to 10 youth-led, Ohio-based prevention programs to implement suicide prevention activities in their school and/or community (to apply for this funding, click here). Those ten programs will be chosen by up to 20 YAC members from across the state.  

Apply now for the opportunity to join OSPF staff and the rest of the YAC on Saturday, March 1^st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the OSPF Youth-Led Grant Review Day at the Hilliard Branch of the Columbus Public Library located at 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, OH 43026, near Columbus.  

Youth-Led Grant Review Day Objectives:

• Explore best practice prevention so you know which strategies are most likely to reduce suicide and promote mental health;
• Discover how non-profits, foundations, and grants work to give you a better idea of how funding like this become available and can benefit local schools and communities;
• Learn how to review, grade, and select proposals to receive funding from OSPF;
• Connect with other motivated youth and young adults from across the state.

At the end of the school year, the YAC will have a virtual meeting to see how the programs they funded made a difference in their communities.

Eligibility 

• Open to Ohio youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 19. Must be enrolled in an Ohio high school or equivalent (homeschooling, GED program, private/charter school, etc.).
• Participation in youth-led programming preferred. If selected, council members will not be allowed to influence funding proposals from their school/community.  

Incentives 

• $200 Visa Gift card for full participation in the Youth Grant Review Council on March 1^st.
• Gift card for gas will be provided to students coming from outside of Franklin County.
• Certificate of completion/signature for community service hours available.

Applications are due January 29^th, 2025.