Evidence-Based Practices - Adult Mental Health Grant

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation aims to enhance adult mental health services in Michigan through evidence-based practices. Their grants, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, support governmental and non-profit organizations in implementing innovative treatments. Focused on reducing stigma, improving access, and fostering collaboration, the foundation emphasizes the importance of research-informed approaches to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in mental health care.

We continuously evaluate the outcomes and impact of our grantmaking
Our Strategic Priorities
Improve mental health services by advancing best practice treatment programs, promoting early intervention, expanding access to care and building provider capacityFoster cross-system collaboration to address inequities in mental health access and outcomes, improve treatment and program effectiveness, and increase efficiencyMeasure and share the outcomes of our efforts so that we, and others, can learn from our experiences and improve the quality of our workEducate and build awareness to decrease stigma inside and outside the health care systemInform mental health policy by educating the public and policymakers, and advocating for access to quality services
Why are we advancing evidence-based practices and programs?
It is now well documented that knowledge gained through research has, in many instances, not been translated to everyday clinical practice in the mental health field.
A wide variety of effective, community-based services, carefully refined through years of research, exist for even the most severe mental health conditions yet are not being translated into community settings. A huge gap exists between what we know about treating mental illness and the availability of treatments, services and programs that are so vital to recovery.
The Foundation uses the standards set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in identifying a model as evidence-based and defines it as follows:

• a practice that has demonstrated positive results in at least two randomized control studies or in a large series of single-case experiments.

The Foundation awards two-year grants annually ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per year to governmental agencies and non-profit organizations that provide behavioral health care and services in southeast Michigan (Wayne, Macomb, Oakland or Washtenaw) to implement and evaluate proven practices and programs that improve both the delivery of behavioral health services and treatment outcomes for adults 22 years and older.
Some Examples
Best practice, evidence-based models that integrate behavioral health and primary care services.Best practice evidence-based psychotherapy and psychosocial treatment programs for adults.Best practice programs to improve Veterans’ mental health.

Application Details

ELIGIBILITY AND AVAILABLE FUNDING
This RFP is open to local or state governmental agencies and non-profit organi-
zations that provide mental health care and treatment for adults (22 years and
older) either exclusively or as a component of its overall services. The organi-
zation should be located in southeast Michigan - specifically Wayne, Oakland,
Macomb, or Washtenaw County.
The Flinn Foundation is requesting proposals to implement Evidence-Based
Practices and has allocated approximately $500,000 for 2025. Two-year grant
requests ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per year will be considered. The
total two-year award will be determined during the grant decision process.
It is now well documented that knowledge gained through research has, in
many instances, not been translated to everyday clinical practice in the mental
health field. Therefore, the Foundation has primarily focused its grantmaking on
accelerating the implementation of best practice treatment programs in commu-
nity settings throughout southeast Michigan for adults 22 years and older. The
Foundation uses the standards set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Services Administration (SAMHSA) in identifying a model as evidence-based and
defines it as follows: a practice that has demonstrated positive results in at least
two randomized control studies or in a large series of single-case experiments.
There is abundant literature about implementation of evidence-based practices.
Without limiting your research, the attached websites and information can be
used for reference (Attachment 1).
FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR 2025
The following proposals aimed at advancing best practice treatment pro-
grams, promoting early intervention, and fostering cross-system collaboration
to address inequities in mental health access and outcomes and efficiency
will be prioritized:

• Integrating behavioral Implementing best Implementing best
• health care in support practice therapeutic practice peer support
• primary care settings treatment programs programs early
• to promote early
• intervention
• Implementing Implementing best Fostering cross-sector
• programs that focus practice models collaborations that
• on behavioral health that divert people lead to meaningful
• improvements for from the criminal systemic change and
• veterans justice system into improvement in be-
• behavioral health havioral health ac-
• treatment cess, delivery, treat-
• ment, outcomes, and
• health equity
• 3

You may contact staff at the Foundation to Andrea M. Cole
discuss eligibility and questions regarding this President and CEO
RFP. However, a discussion is discretionary acole@flinnfoundation.org
SUBMISSION
All applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online applica-
The Foundation’s
grantmaking priorities are outlined in detail and a tutorial is available to help
walk you through the application process.
REQUIREMENTS
When preparing your proposal application, please respond in clear and plain
language that accurately describes your project and intended outcomes
without too many buzzwords, jargon, or citations. To help you prepare for the
on-line grantmaking application process, we have outlined the following ele-
ments that should be included in your proposal application sections:

• Mission, Accomplishments and Organizational Capacity:
• • Provide a brief history of the organization and/or department, current
• mission, goals and description of services.
• • Describe your organization’s capacity and resources to implement the
• evidence-based practice or program and the specific activities.
• Purpose/Need/Population Served:
• • Provide a clear description of the program and rationale/need for services.
• • Identify the age range of your target population, geographical area,
• current number of people served, the projected number of individuals
• 4

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
to be served directly by this program and the vulnerable nature of the
population.

• Identify the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to be implemented and cite

one specific source of credible evidence that the program is effective.
Evidence may include, for example, research studies, proven models, or
evaluations.

• Describe how this program will improve access to care, delivery of ser-

vices and mental health treatment outcomes for the population served.
Activities and Outcomes:

• • Provide a description of how the organization plans to implement the
• program and incorporate the EBP into your core services.
• • Describe the services and activities to be provided and the specific
• measurable results and outcomes that you wish to achieve during the
• grant period.
• Collaboration:
• • Identify collaborative/multi-sector partners and stakeholders and their
• roles and responsibilities.
• Evaluation/Impact:
• • Explain how the outcomes of the program will be measured and reported.
• Sustainability:
• • Describe how the proposed project/activities will be sustained after

the end of the grant term and integrated into your core services. If the
services can be supported through billable services, or other reve-
nues, include information on how and when these funding streams will
be utilized to achieve sustainability.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
Attachments: The following three reports are required along with the
application:

• • Executive Summary (Click here to download the template - see di-

rections on Page 10 to help you with planning). The executive summa-
ry is limited to two pages. This summary will be presented to the Board
of Trustees as your impact statement so make sure it is a clear, concise
and compelling overview of the need you are addressing, project
goals, activities and outcomes expected from the program.

• Budget/Actual Expenditure Report (Click here to download the tem-

plate - see example on Page 9 to help you with planning).

• Current financial audit conducted by an independent certified public

GRANT DECISION PROCESS
The Board of Trustees will review all proposals and make final approvals. The
funding decisions will be based on the following considerations:

• • The degree to which the proposal addresses priority areas as defined in
• this RFP
• • Ability to significantly improve the quality, scope, or delivery of mental
• health services
• • Ability to reduce inequities and disparities in access to care and
• treatment
• • Ability to develop cross-system approaches to strengthen delivery of
• care and services
• • Ability to sustain program and services beyond grant term
• 6

REPORTING
All organizations who receive a grant will be required to sign a Grant Award
Agreement Letter notifying the Foundation of their ability to comply with all
reporting requirements. Grant funds are dispensed in December, 2025 and
the grant term for all funded projects begins January 1, 2026.
APPLY
Please apply online at www.flinnfoundation.org/apply. The Executive Sum-
mary and Budget/Actual Expenditure Report templates are available at the
bottom of the webpage.

Note: Click here to download the formatted Executive
Summary Template or use the following format when submitting
attachment:

• Word document (No Pdfs, Letterhead, Logo, or Footer)
• Page Limit: Two
• Margins: Top, Bottom, Left and Right: 1.0”
• Font: Times Roman
• Font Size: 12
• Line Spacing: Single
• Letter Style: Block
• Text Align: Justify
• Header: Organization Name (Capital Letters, Centered and Bold)
• 10