Announcing the launch of the Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund

PHILADELPHIA – Today, the City of Philadelphia and the Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation announced the launch of the Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund, which will begin accepting grant applications on December 20, 2022. The Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund, using opioid settlement funds, will implement a community-driven grantmaking process that focuses on geographic areas most impacted by the overdose crisis in Philadelphia, and directly addresses prevention, recovery, and healing for the many individuals and communities affected.

In 2021, Philadelphia reported 1,276 fatal drug overdoses, the highest number of fatal overdoses on record. For the first time, unintentional overdose deaths were highest among non-Hispanic Black Philadelphians. These changing trends are due in part to the current toxicity of the drug supply; fentanyl continues to be the most common drug involved in unintentional overdose deaths, mirroring national data. The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring that the communities that have been devastated by the opioid epidemic have a say in how and where settlement funds are reinvested.

“Last year, Philadelphia experienced a record number of fatal overdoses,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “We have lost thousands of loved ones and neighbors to this crisis, and we face compounding grief and trauma in our communities. At the same time, the prevalence of dangerous contaminants in the local drug supply means our prevention, outreach, and services must evolve to reach more communities and increase awareness. In our work to support individuals and communities impacted by this crisis, trusted community-based organizations are crucial partners. We are proud to offer this funding opportunity for local organizations making a difference in their community, and look forward to supporting them in the challenging and life-saving work ahead.”

The $3.5 million Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund will award grants to community-based organizations across Philadelphia, with special consideration given to eligible organizations serving highly impacted areas in Kensington and North Philadelphia. Community-led grantmaking selection committees will review and evaluate the grant applications and submit final recommendations in the spring of 2023.  The Scattergood Foundation is partnering with the City to operate the fund, supporting grantmaking activities and administering grants, as well as providing technical assistance to grantees.

“The progress we’ve made to address the devastating impact of opioids and other drugs in Philadelphia wouldn’t be possible without the partnership and guidance of community organizations and our city’s residents,” said Noelle Foizen, Director of the Opioid Response Unit. “To build on our progress, it’s important that we strengthen and mobilize trusted community messengers such as local, grassroots organizations that directly bring services and resources to communities, and welcome the leadership and insight of community members. Funding from the opioid settlements enables us to do exactly that. In this spirit of supporting community knowledge and capacity building, it made perfect sense to partner with the Scattergood Foundation to facilitate the grantmaking process and support the vision of this investment through grantee assistance.”

“The communities most impacted by the opioid crisis have a fundamental right to be in the driver’s seat for how dollars from the Opioid Settlement are spent,” said Joe Pyle, President of the Scattergood Foundation. “In our five years of work with the Community Fund for Immigrant Wellness, we have seen how community-driven grantmaking can alter power dynamics and inspire bold and impactful programming.”

Applications will open on December 20, 2022 and are due on February 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST. Grant awards will be announced in the spring of 2023. The application form and Request For Applications are available on the Scattergood Foundation’s website.

About the Overdose Prevention and Community Healing grants:
Organizations funded must address one or more of the following grant focus areas through their broader mission or the specific program being funded:

1. Expand community-based efforts in prevention, education and harm reduction
2. Promote and facilitate connections to behavioral health treatment and/or recovery services
3. Address and respond inclusively to substance use-related complex, unmet community needs for participants in communities of color and underserved populations
4. Heal individual and collective trauma related to substance use in communities
5. Reduce substance use-related stigma in communities
6. Promote public safety and wellness for community workers in the substance use field

Types of grants available:

• Capacity Building Grants are flexible grants for $20,000 that support a wide range of general, operating uses. Funding can also serve as capacity building grants to support organizational development, training, technical assistance and research.
• Program Grants are program grants for $100,000 that provide direct support for programs and projects that advance one of the six grant focus areas.

Eligibility:

• Non-profit Organizations: Organizations have 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship.
• Geographic Location: Organizations are based in and serve communities located in Philadelphia County.
• Community Engagement: Organization must have a track record of engaging Philadelphia residents
• Organization Budget Size: Organizations have an annual budget of $5 million or less.
• Attend or View Information Session: Applicants are required to attend or view one information session to learn more about the application process, and one compliance session to learn about grant requirements.

How to apply:
Beginning December 20, 2022, eligible organizations may apply for a grant through the City’s Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund using the online application on the Scattergood Foundation’s website.

Attend a mandatory information session
Learn more about the application process:
Monday, January 9, 2023 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Register
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Register

Attend a mandatory compliance session
Learn about compliance requirements for this grant opportunity:
Monday, January 23, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Register
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Register