Heal The Healers Fund

The Heal the Healers (HTH) Fund grantmaking program provides support to professionals working directly with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse who wish to support their colleagues who are grappling with the effects of vicarious trauma. 

2024 Heal the Healers Fund Grant Recipients

Friendship Center of Helena, Inc. The Friendship Center of Helena, Inc., based in Helena, Montana, received funds for their staff to receive somatic therapy and participate in a “Nervous System First Aid” program. The Friendship Center is the community resource for addressing and preventing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking through advocacy, education, and outreach in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Jefferson Counties. 

L.U.N.A. L.U.N.A. (Latinas Unidas por un Nuevo Amanecer), based in Des Moines, Iowa, received funds for their staff wellness program. L.U.N.A. is a statewide organization that helps Latina survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking build a future free of violence, focusing on survivor-immigrants who face barriers to accessing traditional services. 

Pathfinder Center of Wiconi Wawokiya, Inc.  The Pathfinder Center of Wiconi Wawokiya, Inc., based in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, received funds to create a staff wellness breakroom. The Pathfinder Center provides services to adult and child survivors of sexual violence, human trafficking and domestic violence and is based on the Crow Creek Reservation in central South Dakota. Their name, Wiconi Wawokiya, is Lakota for “helping families.”  

Raksha, Inc.  Raksha, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, received funds to launch their staff “Well-being and Resilience” Program. Raksha is a culturally-specific organization that provides healing, empowerment, and justice for South Asian survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

The Safe Sisters Circle  The Safe Sisters Circle, based in Washington, DC, received funds to hold a staff wellness retreat. Their mission is to provide free, culturally-specific, holistic, and trauma-based services to Black women survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault living in Washington DC’s Ward 7 and Ward 8. 

Transforming Generations Transforming Generations, based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, received funds to fund quarterly culturally-specific food Fridays and monthly team building activities for staff. Transforming Generations is a culturally-specific nonprofit organization that provides support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Hmong community. 

Toulumne Me-Wuk Tribal Council The Toulumne Me-Wuk Tribal Council, based in Toulumne, California, received funds to provide staff with access to an equine therapy program. The Toulumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians program provides emotional support through confidential communications for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Women’s Center of Jacksonville, Inc. The Women’s Center of Jacksonville, Inc., based in Jacksonville, Florida, received funds to revitalize their Serenity Garden (their on-site community garden for staff and survivors) as well as enhance their staff workplace culture program. The Women’s Center of Jacksonville provides wrap-around care for survivors of sexual assault through their team of victim advocates and sexual assault nurse examiners who are on call 24/7. 

Overview of the Funding Program

• Micro grants will be made annually for training, small capital projects, or organizational activities. 
• Maximum of one year of funding up to $5,000 per organization.
• Eligible to non-profit or governmental organizations working directly with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

Areas of Support

The Joyful Heart Foundation has established the following guidelines for its Heal the Healers Fund grants to support those working directly with survivors in the following areas.

• Training and/or program development on self-care practices such as training in trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, somatic therapy, etc.
• Small capital items and equipment that specifically allow staff and volunteers to address their self care needs such as daylight lamps for staff or new furniture for a break room.
• Staff activities to build and support connections between colleagues such as, trust building experiences, monthly pizza nights, or bagel Fridays. 
• Or any combination of the above. 

In addition to the financial support, grantees will also be invited to join a peer learning community cohort that includes: 

• Virtual peer to peer networking opportunities 
• Virtual training/presentations by leading healers, therapists and other professionals with expertise in cutting edge vicarious trauma, empowerment, leadership and therapeutic modalities
• Opportunities to amplify their fellowship/cohort experiences to inspire others in the field

Eligible Organizations

The Heal the Healers Fund considers grant requests from governmental and non-profit professionals working directly with survivors of sexual or domestic violence and child abuse in the US. This includes professionals including, but not limited to: 

• law enforcement working in special victims’ units
• SAFE nurses
• therapists working directly with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse
• victim advocates
• prosecutors working on special victims’ cases
• crisis hotline workers 

We realize that many agencies and professionals fit these criteria and therefore we ask that organizations must be certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or use a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) tax status. Public entities such as Tribal Governments, police departments, and prosecutor’s offices are also eligible. 

The Heal the Healers Fund Grant program does not make grants to individuals. Heal the Healers Fund grants are NOT available for general operating support (staff salaries, rent, utilities, etc.), fundraising events, or endowment funds.

Important Dates

2024 applications are now closed. Please check back in 2025 for our next grant cycle.