Grants
Creating impactful change in inner health takes dedication, creativity, and a long view.
Our grant funding provides a patient runway — enabling the development, testing, and validation of new ideas. It’s designed to give bold visions the space and support they need to take root and grow.
Could we be a working match? Learn more about our process.
Do you…
…have a proven and innovative solution for empowering the inner health of emerging adults, along with a clear roadmap to expand your impact?
Whether you’re a for-profit, non-profit, hybrid model, or intrapreneur within an organization, we’re interested in how your model drives social change. And how the character of your team sees that through. Let’s figure out if we make a match for positive change.
Mission-driven
We seek to understand and shift the underlying norms, structures, and dynamics that influence inner health—partnering to unlock lasting transformation at the root level.
Ecosystem approach
We believe meaningful change happens when families, communities, workplaces, and policy all move together—working with others to ensure no one is left behind.
Measurable impact
We look for partners who are ready to bridge divides across public, private, and nonprofit sectors—because only together can we meet today’s complex challenges.
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“We are deeply grateful and proud to be part of such a bold, values-driven community, and we look forward to building the next chapter together with The Inner Foundation”
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Adriana Preda
Executive Board Member
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“There are a lot of funds you meet that discuss the importance of making an impact in the mental health space – there are few that mean it in the way the Inner Foundation does.”
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Matthew Stefanko
Co-founder, MANUAL
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“As donors, The Inner Foundation offers us tremendous trust. We are equals working towards the same end goal.”
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Sean Mayberry
Founder & CEO
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“We feel incredibly lucky to call The Inner Foundation investors, partners, and friends on this journey. They’re as interested in our challenges as successes, wisely guiding us when we ask for it.”
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Tiffany Boswell
Co-founder, Meela
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“Partnering with The Inner Foundation strengthens our mission to provide holistic care for women, expanding reach and deepening long-term impact on emotional and physical well-being.”
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Lydia Graflund
CEO, EsterCare
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“The Inner Foundation’s commitment to creating positive impact aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are confident that their partnership will significantly enhance our vision.”
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Helene Lassem Nørlem
Co-CEO & Co-founder
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“Through The Inner Foundation, we have found an investor who shares the same belief system as us, and who continues to push us forward when we most need it.”
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Hermine Bonde Jahren
Co-founder & CEO
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“We are beyond grateful for the support from the Inner Foundation, which allows us to significantly strengthen our work with establishing our work in Ukraine.”
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Trine Hammershøy
Director
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“Partnering with The Inner Foundation marks an exciting new chapter—opening doors to invaluable resources, meaningful collaboration opportunities, and greater impact.”
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Ivan Dimov
Founder & Chairman
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“The support from The Inner Foundation is a turning point for our organization. It empowers us to strengthen a model that places dignity, empathy, and accessibility at the core of support.”
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Razvan Popa
Founder & President
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The Inner Foundation’s generosity has directly protected more children, and we are deeply grateful to have them among our partners.
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Mary L. Pulido
Executive Director
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“The Inner Foundation’s support has meant a lot to us, as we feel that we are part of a larger ecosystem and have access to an international network of people who want to do social good.”
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Cem Celepli Atci
Co-founder & CEO
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“Being part of The Inner Foundation community has been eye-opening. They genuinely support founders—through values-driven engagement, convenings, and meaningful backing.”
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Danish Munir
Partner & Co-founder
Applications are closed
This application cycle has ended — but we’re always keen to connect with visionary changemakers. Another Open Call is on the horizon.
When exactly? Let us know how to contact you when the time is ripe.
The inside scoop
What age group falls under your category of emerging adults?
18-29 years old
What can I expect from the application process?
This is a two-fold application process to determine mission alignment and get to know one another better. You will submit a quick scan, and if we think there’s potential for a good match, we will get back to you with an invitation to fill out the full application, followed by an in-depth due diligence process.
This is an ongoing process, and we continuously review the quick scan applications, so do not wait to send in your information.
What is the typical size and duration of The Inner Foundation’s grants?
Our partnerships begin with a one-year commitment, but in most cases are extended by a few years. However, this will be subject to an annual audit process.
In a few cases, we can follow you for a longer period as you improve your impact and offer support in other communities. The size of the grant varies depending on your needs, but usually ranges between €25,000 to €100,000 per year.
We don’t finance anything entirely by ourselves, so make sure you define your needs in your application, together with who the other funders are.
If two organizations are planning to work together, should we submit an individual or a joint application?
One of our guiding principles at The Inner Foundation is the power of collaboration. A cornerstone of our work is strengthening a more connected innovation ecosystem. We therefore strongly encourage joint applications, as they demonstrate meaningful collaboration between organizations.
What other support do you offer beyond monetary, and how much is The Inner Foundation team involved in shaping the solution?
We and our network of experts can offer guidance throughout the funding period or on strategic questions.
Our involvement varies; in some cases, we take on a more active role (through taking on a board position), but how to execute your goals is left primarily to the organizations that we choose to fund.
What other support do you offer beyond monetary, and how much is The Inner Foundation team involved in shaping the solution?
We and our network of experts can offer guidance throughout the funding period or on strategic questions.
Our involvement varies; in some cases, we take on a more active role (through taking on a board position), but how to execute your goals is left primarily to the organizations that we choose to fund.
How detailed would you expect the budget to be at this stage?
At the application stage, we expect you to include a financial plan for the organization’s fiscal year or a proposed budget for the project’s scope. We will ask for further details as we proceed with reviewing your application.
Why do you require applicants to have more than one funder?
We believe that having just one funder makes an organization more exposed and vulnerable. The stability that two, three, or more funders offer is valuable both for start-ups and well-established organizations.
Can an organization submit multiple applications for different projects?
We believe that having just one funder makes an organization more exposed and vulnerable. The stability that two, three, or more funders offer is valuable both for start-ups and well-established organizations.
We support…
..these incredible changemakers.
Their work in the world is making real inroads in the world of inner health. We are invested in their urgent missions.
Hmm, not exactly…
Looking for funding or collaboration in the inner health of emerging adults, but not a social enterprise? Explore other application tracks.
Let’s drive meaningful change – together.
Equity
Are you building a mission-driven business with impact at its core? We provide early-stage equity investments on a rolling basis for ventures with proof of concept, growth potential, and a clear focus on inner health for emerging adults.
Collaboration
Are you driven to transform inner health and tackle complex social challenges? We thrive on collaboration, uniting across disciplines and sectors to amplify our collective impact. Together, we can achieve more.
In the limelight
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What if research travelled faster?
Read more: What if research travelled faster?Research on emerging adulthood is growing. But knowledge alone does not create change. At EARA 2026 in Utrecht, The Inner Foundation, Center for Social Sustainability (CSS), Karolinska Institute (KI), and the Royal…
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Our support of Single Step Foundation
Read more: Our support of Single Step FoundationEmpowering LGBTQI+ youth through community and psychological support.
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Our support of Centrul Social de Phisoterapie
Read more: Our support of Centrul Social de PhisoterapieSacling digiphysical mental health support across Romania
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Our support of The Social Incubator
Read more: Our support of The Social IncubatorIntegrated support for youth transitioning out of care.
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Launching: Emerging Adults’ Right to Wellbeing
Read more: Launching: Emerging Adults’ Right to WellbeingMental health crisis among emerging adults in Nordics demands action.
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Our Open Call in Eastern Europe – The grantees
Read more: Our Open Call in Eastern Europe – The granteesBacking four organizations transforming mental health for emerging adults.
