Three new federal grant opportunities from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could mark a transformative moment for fatherhood and family-serving organizations across the nation. Set to be officially announced on April 25, 2025, these grants are being offered through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA). Each funding opportunity — FORGE Fatherhood, READY4Life, and HEART for Adults — represents a bold step toward reshaping how communities support healthy families, engaged fathers, and thriving youth.
“These grants are not just funding streams — they’re fuel for the future of families,” says Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated. “At a time when families are navigating complex challenges — from economic instability to generational trauma — this is our chance to expand proven strategies and innovate new ones. It’s our time to show up for fathers, mothers, and the children who depend on them.”
The FORGE Fatherhood Grant: Building Stability for Adult Fathers
Family, Opportunity, Resilience, Grit, Engagement – Fatherhood (FORGE Fatherhood)
HHS-2025-ACF-OFA-ZJ-0014
The FORGE Fatherhood grant is specifically targeted at adult men (18 years and older) who are fathers of children up to the age of 24. It prioritizes support for fathers in the general population, as well as those returning from incarceration. Projects funded through this opportunity must focus on one or more of the following areas: promoting or sustaining marriage, encouraging responsible parenting, and increasing economic stability.
Braswell emphasizes the significance of this grant for reentry programs: “Too often, we focus on reentry in terms of jobs or housing alone. But what about family reintegration? What about healing relationships with children? The FORGE Fatherhood grant gives us the green light to do that deeply human work.”
Contact: Tanya Howell | (202) 205-8714 | OFA@grantreview.org
READY4Life: Educating and Empowering Youth (14–24)
Relationships, Education, Advancement, and Development for Youth for Life (READY4Life)
HHS-2025-ACF-OFA-ZD-0013
Designed for youth and young adults aged 14 to 24, including pregnant or parenting teens, the READY4Life grant supports programs that teach healthy relationship and marriage skills, financial literacy, and career planning. With young people facing emotional, social, and economic pressures at earlier ages, this funding opens the door to proactive, prevention-based solutions.
“Healthy relationships don’t begin at the altar. They start in adolescence,” says Braswell. “READY4Life is our opportunity to help young people write a different story for their lives — a story grounded in self-respect, responsibility, and resilience.”
Contact: Toya Joyner | (202) 401-4716 | toya.joyner@acf.hhs.gov
HEART for Adults: Elevating Marriage, Reducing Barriers
Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive – Adults (HEART)
HHS-2025-ACF-OFA-ZB-0109
This grant supports marriage promotion programs for adults, including individuals and couples. Activities may include premarital counseling, relationship education, mentoring, and even public awareness campaigns. Projects may also address systemic barriers that discourage marriage or family stability.
ACF is encouraging a wide range of applicants from established institutions to innovative grassroots programs to submit proposals.
“HEART invites us to take a full-spectrum view of adult relationships,” Braswell adds. “It’s not just about helping people get married — it’s about helping them stay healthy, connected, and committed. This kind of support can transform generations.”
Contact: Taffy Compain | (202) 205-7793 | Taffy.Compain@acf.hhs.gov
A Call to Action: It’s Time to Build
Each of these grant opportunities aligns with a different phase of life, but they share a common goal: strengthening families by investing in relationships. As Braswell notes, “Whether you’re working with young parents in high schools, adult fathers coming home from prison, or couples trying to rebuild after hardship, these grants are designed to meet families where they are.”
Organizations are encouraged to begin building cross-sector partnerships, gathering community input, and preparing competitive proposals now. The post date for all three grants is April 25, 2025. Early planning will be essential to success.
“This is not just about applying for a grant,” Braswell says. “It’s about stepping into your mission with greater clarity and deeper impact. The families in our communities deserve that.”
Want to Learn More or Collaborate?
Fathers Incorporated is available to help community-based organizations navigate these opportunities. To explore potential partnerships, technical assistance, or strategy support, contact Fathers Incorporated at info@fathersincorporated.com.
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