Core Funding Opportunity.
The Core Funding Opportunity was the first funding mechanism created by the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund. As a new organization charged with responsibly distributing taxpayer dollars, we developed the Core Funding Opportunity to support local organizations that provide mental and behavioral health services to kids and families in St. Louis County.
We are thrilled to announce that we’re investing $146 million into 81 local mental health providers supporting kids and families in St. Louis County. Meet our 2026-2029 Core Funding Opportunity partners!
What is the Core Funding Opportunity?
The Core Funding Opportunity was established in 2010 as CSF’s first funding cycle. Since then, we have sought partnerships with organizations that align with our value of providing quality care to kids and families in St. Louis County. Our Core partners are established organizations that address community needs through impact-driven approaches to mental and behavioral health care. We support our Core partners through a standard unit-rate reimbursement model. This is a three-year grant cycle, aligned with the academic calendar.
Who is Eligible to Receive Core Funding?
Organizations that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Core Funding Opportunity:
- Registered 501(c)3s and government agencies
- Capacity to work within a unit rate model of funding
- Capacity to measure and report outcomes and impact
- Programming falls within our main focus areas.
There are many types of programs that qualify for Core funding, including:
- Programs that enhance the social and emotional capacity of children and youth
- Family strengthening programs
- Youth development and empowerment services
- Programs that promote physical and mental health prevention and intervention
- Services that focus on healing from trauma
- Substance use education, prevention and intervention programming
- Individual, family, group, or community-wide services that promote wellbeing
Resources for Understanding Core.
The following resources are intended to help you better understand how Core Funding works and if it’s a good fit for your organization.
- Basic Eligibility: Who’s eligible to receive Core Funding.
- Residency & Eligibility: Who’s eligible to receive CSF-funded services.
- Service Units: An overview of our reimbursement model.
- Billing Using Service Units: Understand the 4 steps of CSF’s reimbursement process.
- Creating a Candid Profile: CSF requires funding applicants to achieve a Gold Seal of Transparency on Candid. See a list of required fields and what to do if you’re part of a university, hospital or healthcare system, or government agency.
We fund 81 local nonprofits and government agencies through our Core Funding Opportunity. Learn more about them and the services they provide on our Who We Fund page.