How to Apply for Our Grants

How to Submit an Idea for Consideration: Decriminalizing Mental Illness and Local Philanthropy Program:

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Sozosei Foundation. A spirit of creativity imbues our Foundation’s attitudes and culture. We welcome the opportunity to consider proposals featuring innovative projects and ideas that advance our goals to decriminalize mental illness and activate local philanthropy. As a first step, if your organization meets the following criteria for our mental health and/or local philanthropy program areas, you are welcome to share an idea or concept note with us via email at [email protected]. Please keep this brief (no more than 600 words) and include: a statement of need/problem to be addressed; the target population and how they may benefit; and a timeline for implementation. These inquiries will be reviewed within 30 days of their receipt.

Open Funding Opportunities:

Listed below are all public requests for proposals that Sozosei Foundation currently has open for submission.

The Sozosei Foundation is seeking a collaborator to create and produce Season Two of its podcast, “Mental Illness is Not a Crime.”

Last year, the Sozosei Foundation launched Season One of its podcast, “Mental Illness is Not a Crime,” with the intent to educate, engage, and position the Foundation as a convener and collaborative partner. This initial season comprised four episodes that investigated how the United States has criminalized mental illness, discussed the lessons and limits of available data, and outlined several potential solutions. With its focus on the criminalization of mental illness, “Mental Illness is Not a Crime” fills a critical gap in the growing field of podcasts devoted to either mental illness or the criminal legal system.

In 2021, the Foundation will continue to enrich the conversation on this topic with the release of Season Two of “Mental Illness is Not a Crime" and we are now seeking a collaborative partner to create and produce Season Two. Click here to download the complete Request for Proposal. Proposals are due by June 14, 2021.

Applicant Eligibility

Sozosei Foundation applicants must:

Be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code OR have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) status and provides written authorization confirming willingness to act as the fiscal sponsor; and
Engage in work that aligns with the Foundation’s funding interests and priorities. (See our strategy related to mental health and read about our philanthropic interest areas.) Note, Sozosei does not accept proposals for disaster relief and recovery.

Coming Soon: Sozosei Foundation Grants Portal
Thank you for your patience as we work to build our Grants Portal. This online system will help facilitate grant searches and expedite the grant application process.