St. David’s Foundation is pleased to announce the Libraries for Health Initiative to address some of the most pressing health needs facing communities: depression, anxiety, and other types of mental health conditions. This initiative recognizes and elevates the opportunity for an anchor institution that is woven into our social infrastructure—a local public library—to purposefully support and tackle mental wellness. Further, it seeks to provide the requisite capacity-building skills and collaborative learning for libraries to be broadly successful in community mental wellness endeavors. Beyond traditional grantmaking, the Libraries for Health initiative will involve identifying new and innovative ways to bring health initiatives where they are needed most – particularly in rural and under-resourced communities.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) process seeks to support public libraries as integral community hubs and gathering spaces that offer access to resources for those who may be at risk for mental health conditions and who may experience the greatest barriers in receiving appropriate care. This funding opportunity builds on the Foundation’s existing investments in the Thriving Rural Communities strategic goal area, as well as other goal areas.

Total funding for this initiative is $1.5 million allocated over a two-year period. Up to $1 million will be utilized in the first year for grants made to awardees from a pool of potential public library applicants in Central Texas. The remaining balance will be utilized to engage additional grantee supports, including the services of a technical service advisor/intermediary.

Curious about what this work might look like in action? See the graphic below.