Even though mental health challenges are common, they are still significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated in later life. In fact, two‑thirds of older adults who are struggling with mental health issues do not receive the care they need.  

The National Council on Aging (NCOA), through funding provided by the Mother Cabrini Foundation, seeks to counter this trend and advance mental health knowledge among older adults living in rural New York state.

Overview

This opportunity provides selected community-based organizations (CBOs) serving older adults with funding, tools, training, and support to better address the mental and behavioral health needs of the older adults they serve, and equip older adults with the knowledge and skills needed to address their mental well-being, overcome mental health stigma, and better access care.

Who should apply

Community-based organizations that: 

• Serve older adults (55+) from diverse populations across rural New York state
• Are interested in developing or enhancing behavioral health programming
• Have access to a facility where workshops can be hosted

Benefits of participation

• $5,000 honorarium
• Access to all materials needed to host the program
• NCOA-led training and technical support

Expectations

Participating organizations will identify and support two staff members to implement the Get Empowered: Embrace Your Mental Well-Being program. These staff will be required to:

• Attend a project kick-off call on May 14 at 3 p.m. ET
• Complete pre-program survey and 6-month follow-up survey in April 2027.
• Participate in the Get Empowered: Embrace Your Mental Well-Being facilitator training (approximately 5-6 hours of asynchronous and synchronous training).
• Implement the Get Empowered: Embrace Your Mental Well-Being program consisting of three sessions (60-90 minutes each) at least two times between May and October 2026.
• Engage at least 40 unduplicated participants in the Get Empowered: Embrace Your Mental Well-Being Program.
• Support the participant evaluation process.
• Collect and provide at least two client testimonials with participant contact information and photos that highlight the program impact. The participant must sign a story consent form.

How to apply

Access the online submission portal. Please note: the first time you log in, you will need to select the “Sign Up” button under “Need an Account” to create your account. 

Please reach out to Amanda Krisher  or Heather Marriott with questions throughout your application process. 

Submission deadline

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 19, 2026, using the online application portal.

Sample application

Below are the questions that will be found in the online application.

Section 1: Contact Info 

• Organization name: 
• Physical address: 
• Website:
• Main contact for project (name, title, phone, email):

Section 2: About Your Organization

• Type of organization
• Region of New York
• County(ies) served
• What is your organization’s mission?
• What is the average monthly number of older adults your organization serves (ensuring each individual is counted only once)?
• Have you received funding from NCOA before for any grant opportunity?

Section 3: Capacity

• Do you have space and equipment (projector and screen) to safely host in-person workshops?  
• If no, explain how you plan to host the workshops (250-word maximum) 
• Are you able to commit to hosting at least two rounds of the workshop series, train at least two facilitators, and engage in program research?
• Do you have two facilitators or instructors who can participate in training and subsequently run the 3-week workshop effectively for two sessions? 

Section 4: Commitment

• Please tell us how you plan to meet the program requirements listed in the commitment section above.

Section 5: Community

• Approximately what percentage of older adults your organization serves are considered middle- to low-income?
• Do you serve any of the following populations? (veterans, LGBTQ, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino or of Spanish origin, Native Hawaiian of other Pacific Islander, two or more races, rural, unhoused)

Section 6: Staffing

• Please describe who will lead the workshops and manage the program. (250-word maximum)

Section 7: Experience

• Have you implemented behavioral health or mental health workshops previously?
• If yes, did you meet your grant/program goal? (yes/no)
• If no, why?
• Have you implemented other evidence-based or evidence-informed programs?
• If yes, did you meet your grant/program goal? (yes/no) 
• If no, why?
• Please describe your plan for recruiting participants (250-word maximum)

Section 8: Financial

• Please attach a completed W-9 and completed ACH form (link provided on application)

Photo by Michaela Lynch© all rights reserved for NCOA use only