FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
FAQs: Families at the HEART Funding
Updated: July 7, 2025
Thank you for your interest in the Families at the HEART Request for Proposals.
Perigee Fund is sharing our responses to frequently asked questions that apply to a wide number of potential applicants.
Process
Yes, Perigee will be hosting two info sessions, one in English and one in Spanish, with an opportunity for Q&A. Recordings of both sessions will be posted on our website afterwards. Please click the links below to register.
English: Thursday, July 17th 10:00 a.m. PT
Spanish: Tuesday, July 22nd, 10:00 a.m. PT
Expressions of Interest will only be accepted via our Perigee Partner Portal. Click here to create an account and begin the process!
Eligibility
Perigee expects to receive and fund proposals from organizations whose models are focused on one stage of the prenatal-to-age-3 mental health continuum (e.g., maternal mental health).
In an ideal world, there are some models that work across the continuum (including maternal mental health and infant and early childhood mental health), but that is not an expectation for applications to this RFP. Any model focused on expanding access to some aspect of prenatal-to-age-3 mental health is eligible to apply.
To be considered for this RFP, organizations must meet all eligibility criteria. These criteria were intentionally developed to ensure that selected organizations are well-positioned to fully engage in and benefit from the activities and support offered through the initiative.
Key Terms & Definitions
Perigee is not an expert on trauma. We look to a variety of experts for guidance on what constitutes trauma, such as the National Child Traumatic Stress Center. The definition and examples we provide here are directional. We honor and accept that some communities and collaboratives may define trauma differently than Perigee, and some may choose not to use this term. Your group does not need to have the same definition as Perigee. We are looking for alignment and a shared aspiration to support prenatal-to-age-3 families impacted by trauma.
At a high level, Perigee understands that trauma is often caused by events that are dangerous, violent, or frightening, whether those events are experienced or witnessed. Natural disasters, domestic violence, and community violence are all examples of traumatic events. Perigee also thinks broadly about trauma as occurring in a historical and collective context. Many generations of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color in the United States have experienced and continue to experience trauma because of structural racism. We believe it is important to acknowledge that the original Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACES, are “Atrocious Cultural Experiences,” as explained by Dr. Chandra Ghosh-Ippen and Dr. Markita Mays. These traumatic cultural or community experiences include colonization, slavery, removal of property/land, and forced family separations.
Funding Use & Goals
Funding will be distributed as one lump sum payment at the beginning of 2026.
No, funding does not need to be evenly distributed across the three years. We encourage participants to consider how funding can best be leveraged across the three years to support the growth and expansion effort they are pursuing.
During the Grant Period
Perigee will look forward to getting to know all grantees and to partnering with them during the grant period. We hope to connect with grantees regularly to hear about their work and learn how we can be a supportive partner.
Our formal reporting requirements are to submit an interim report (including the workplan developed with the technical assistance provider) at the one-year mark, an interim report at the two-year mark, and a final report after the grant ends. These reports have both a narrative and a financial reporting component.
Reporting requirements of the evaluator will be developed over time and communicated proactively with grantees.
Submit Questions – HEART RFP
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