Peer-to-Peer Grant Project Guidelines

Welcome to My Friend ABBY – Inspiring a mental health revolution… one friend at a time!

About Us
My Friend ABBY is a not-for-profit organization with the goal of empowering youth and young adults (ages 10-26) to actively create peer-to-peer connections through grant projects that improve mental and emotional health. Our vision is to help facilitate a cultural shift by inspiring peer-to peer-discussion, activism, and awareness.

Grant money is awarded to grant recipients selected for creating a peer-to-peer project that helps to spread the My Friend ABBY message of mental and emotional health awareness, and suicide prevention. Grant amounts can range from $25 to $599. In some instances, the amount can be higher.

Things to Consider When Creating Your Project

Support My Friend ABBY: Make sure your project fits with My Friend ABBY’s message.

Boost Well-being: Think about how your project can help your peers feel better mentally and emotionally.

Money Matters: List the things you need for your project and how much they cost.

Plan Details: Share where and when your project will happen.

Time Check: Make sure your project can be completed in 6 months or less.

Success Strategy: Have a plan to make sure your project goes well.

Get Feedback: Explain how you will find out what others thought about your project to evaluate the impact your project had.

Capture Moments: Take good photos and some videos of the phases of your project. Get signatures using a photo release form (included) from people in pictures for My Friend ABBY to share on their website and other places. Check out our photo tips document for help.

Grant Application Deadline

Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed by MFA’s Grant Committee
and Clinical Advisory Committee. Grants will be awarded within one month from submission
date and need to be completed within deadline discussed or six months from the date the grant is awarded.

Who can apply?
Anyone between the ages of 10 and 26 with a project idea can apply! If you are under 18, have our parental authorization form (see pg. 6 of the application) signed by a parent or legal guardian. An adult helping you with the project (such as a teacher, coach, or other adult advisor) must sign the bottom of the grant application where it says Adult Advisor, next to where you, the applicant signs. We also accept applications from teachers or groups working directly with youth or young adults, upon request and after discussion with MFA.

What Kind of Project Should I Create?

  • We appreciate a variety of different types of projects so let your creative juices flow. Do something you’re good at, or try something new.

  • You can plan your project with a friend, a group or on your own. There are many different ways you can connect with, help or motivate others and share ways to promote mental and emotional wellness.

  • Fundraising is not the focus of an MFA Peer-to-Peer Grant Project. Proposals for fundraising campaigns for other not-for-profit organizations or for-profit organizations do not qualify for this grant.

Your project should support the My Friend ABBY goal by helping you and your peers spread the word about improving your mental and emotional health. See examples at the end of this document for ideas.

Once Your Project is Approved
You Will Receive an Email…

One Week After You Complete Your Project,
Submit a Brief Reflection…

Questions?

  • For questions about your grant project, you can consult with your adult advisor, if one was required, OR Gillian Anderson, Founder and Executive Director of My Friend ABBY will be happy to assist. Email Gillian at gillian@myfriendabby.org

  • To request an MFA Peer to Peer Grant Application, email Gillian at gillian@myfriendabby.org

  • Be sure to stay up-to-date on My Friend ABBY related information by visiting our website at www.myfriendabby.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Project Ideas

My Friend ABBY Peer Grant Projects can help teach social and emotional skills like patience and empathy, or help build self-esteem, inform people about mental health resources, help start the conversation about the importance of mental health, demonstrate ways to take care of your mental health or even #37HelpOthersInABigWay!

Here are some project ideas to get you thinking about what you might want to do. For more ideas and summaries of completed projects, check our website at www.myfriendabby.org/grants.

  1. Activity Promotion: Coordinate a nature walk or organize art, music or exercise events to highlight the mental and emotional health benefits.

  2. Skill Sharing: Teach a skill or talent you have to someone or a group, promoting positive wellbeing.

  3. Club Creation: Form a My Friend ABBY club or group to engage in activities supporting mental and emotional health.

  4. Resource Distribution: Create methods to share information on mental health and suicide prevention resources.

  5. Fundraising for Training: Raise funds to sponsor mental health training sessions for youth groups, teachers, or PTA’s. Some examples:
    - Mental Health First Aid Class www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/
    -     Screening for Mental Health www.mindwise.org
    -     QPR Training (Question. Persuade. Refer.) qprinstitute.com

  6. Speaker Sponsorship: Support speakers or authors addressing mental health topics at libraries schools, or community events.

  7. Book Club Formation: Start a book club with peers, focusing on books related to mental health, and discuss them together.

  8. Buddy Program: Establish a Buddy Program at school, church or community organization, fostering connections between different age groups.

  9. Reading Buddy Initiative: Organize a Reading Buddy Program where older students read to younger ones, seeking a grant to cover book expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions…

What is a peer-to-peer connection? A peer-to-peer connection is a way you communicate with people in your age group.

Am I more likely to get awarded a grant if I fundraise for My Friend Abby? No. It’s most important to create peer-to-peer messaging that reduces the stigma of and promotes mental and emotional health.

Do I have to have a team to do a project? No.

If I’m 17 and a college student, do I still need a parent’s signature? Yes. By law, anyone under 18 years of age is a minor, so a parent’s or guardian’s signature is required if you are the Project Team Leader.

Can I apply for a grant if my project helps people between the ages of 10-26 years old and I am older than 26 years old? Yes, if team members are ages 10-26 years old.

Where does My Friend Abby get the money for grants? The funds are generated by fundraisers initiated by My Friend ABBY, Inc. or grants MFA receives.

Who is involved in approving the grants? A Clinical Advisory Committee that includes mental health professionals and MFA’s Grant Committee.

What criteria are used to award grants?
Awards are based on evidence of need and includes a way to demonstrate impact on your target audience. An adult advisor is required for applicants under 18 years of age.

What is expected of me if I am awarded a grant?

  • Sign an agreement letter with MFA

  • Complete your project within six months or at another agreed upon date.

  • Submit a final reflection report to the MFA Grant Committee within one week after project completion.

  • Photos (videos accepted also) are required in final report, along with signed photo release forms for all individuals in photos submitted to MFA.

  • Include an itemized expense sheet along and all receipts with your final reflection report.

  • All publicity, publications or social media posts about the project must note that it was funded by a grant from My Friend ABBY, Inc.