Funding Mental Health: Innovations and Opportunities 

Joining the conversation are Amy Loar, Assistant Director of Programs at the Hogg Foundation and Director of TGRC; Giannina Cardenas, Grants and Contract Strategist at Caritas of Austin; and Lori Najvar, Director of PolkaWorks, a nonprofit dedicated to telling Texas cultural stories through multimedia.  

A Legacy of Access and Equity 

The Texas Grants Resource Center (TGRC) was originally founded in 1962 as a Hogg Foundation initiative. After a period of institutional movement, it recently returned “home” to the Hogg Foundation—and its mission is more relevant than ever. 

“The TGRC is a program within the Hogg Foundation that helps build a bridge between grant seekers and grant funders in Texas,” says Amy. “It’s a really important tool for grants managers, executive directors, community members—anyone looking to fund good work through the nonprofit community.” 

While TGRC isn’t exclusive to mental health organizations, its impact ripples throughout the sector. 

“We couldn’t find anybody who had come in to use the TGRC in the last six years that we couldn’t somehow tie back to mental health,” Amy says. 

The organization supports nonprofits across a wide spectrum—from housing and education to the arts and cultural preservation—each contributing to the mental wellness ecosystem in vital way.  

Meeting a Growing Need 

For nonprofits like Caritas of Austin, which works at the intersection of housing, mental health, and social services, the challenge isn’t just delivering services—it’s sustaining them through reliable, strategic funding. 

“Finding funding sources and opportunities that match what we’re already doing—or just offer unrestricted support—is the biggest challenge,” says Giannina. “The golden rule is looking for unrestricted funds if we can find them. The bigger, the better. But those can be competitive.” 

Giannina emphasizes how grant work has become increasingly uncertain, with longer wait times and tighter funding cycles. 

“It’s an ongoing chase,” Giannina says. “We submit way more applications than we need just to ensure we’ll hit our targets.”  

Cultural Storytelling as Mental Health Practice 

With PolkaWorks Lori brings a unique perspective to the table—that of an arts and culture organization navigating the same funding challenges while also advancing mental health through storytelling. 

“The arts and cultural stories are so important in our society, especially now,” Lori says. “In order to assist with mental health, it’s important to celebrate, honor, and collaborate across stories that aren’t always recognized. That helps build understanding, respect, and camaraderie.” 

Lori describes how PolkaWorks produces high-quality documentaries and traveling exhibits that promote cultural identity and community connection—both vital to collective wellness. But like many small nonprofits, they operate without the luxury of annual fundraisers or dedicated fundraising staff. TGRC’s resources, says Lori, are “beyond one-stop shopping. They provide years of cultivating and aggregating all these different resources.” 

Innovation Through Relationship

One recurring theme is the importance of relationship — not just between funders and nonprofits, but among nonprofits themselves. 

TGRC is helping nonprofits adapt and stay resilient by offering training on everything from grant writing to measuring impact. 

“We’ve been able to help move the needle that way for organizations,” Amy says. “Just understanding what funding is out there, how to craft stronger project budgets, and how to measure impact—those skills are essential for long-term sustainability.”  

Looking Ahead 

From Caritas’ community kitchen and annual fundraisers to PolkaWorks’ upcoming documentaries Two Worlds, One Path and Squeeze Accordionly, meaningful work is happening. And with the right support, it can thrive. 

“We’re here for anyone doing good work who needs help finding funding,” Amy says. “It’s all about meeting people where they are and walking with them on the journey.” 

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