Opioid Settlement Fund Mini-Grants

The Opioid Settlement Fund Mini-Grants program is administered by the City of Northampton through its Department of Health and Human Services. The initiative is part of the municipality’s broader response to the opioid crisis and is funded through opioid settlement resources allocated to local governments. The program is designed to support community-based solutions that prevent opioid misuse, reduce overdose risk, expand access to treatment, and strengthen recovery supports. The City has explicitly aligned this program with the Massachusetts State Subdivision Agreement, ensuring that funded activities are consistent with statewide opioid settlement priorities. The purpose of the mini-grant program is to fund evidence-informed strategies that directly address opioid-related harm within the Northampton community. The City emphasizes health equity as a central priority, recognizing that the opioid crisis disproportionately affects populations facing systemic barriers to care. These populations include people of color, individuals experiencing homelessness, justice-involved individuals, and those with limited access to healthcare services. As such, applicants are encouraged to design programs that intentionally reduce disparities and elevate the voices of those most impacted. Funding is intended for projects that fall within four primary categories: prevention, harm reduction, treatment access, and recovery support. Eligible activities include evidence-based education programs, naloxone distribution, peer outreach, transportation to treatment, recovery group facilitation, and employment or housing support for individuals in recovery. Programs must be low-barrier, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible to priority populations. Certain uses of funds are explicitly prohibited, including law enforcement equipment, lobbying or political activities, capital construction unless pre-approved, general operating expenses unrelated to opioid response, and indirect costs or organizational overhead. The program offers grants of up to 10,000 dollars per project, with a total of 120,000 dollars available in the first round. Award amounts will determine the number of grants issued. Funded projects are expected to utilize the awarded funds within one year of receipt. Awards are anticipated to be announced and distributed in June 2026. Applicants are required to submit an estimated budget during the initial application phase, with a more detailed line-item budget required if selected for funding. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, community-based organizations, behavioral health providers, treatment providers, and recovery or peer-led organizations. Projects must serve residents of Northampton or individuals who receive services within the city. Individuals are not eligible to apply directly for funding under this program. This eligibility structure ensures that funds are distributed through organizations capable of delivering structured services to the target population. Applications for the first round are accepted through May 15, 2026, with submissions received by that date given priority consideration. After this deadline, applications continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, contingent upon the availability of remaining funds. Applications may be submitted online via a survey platform or through a fillable PDF that can be delivered by email, mail, or in person. The Department of Health and Human Services also provides technical assistance to applicants, including access to paper applications and support via phone. Applications are evaluated using a standardized scoring rubric to ensure fairness and alignment with program goals. Evaluation criteria prioritize community need, alignment with opioid settlement priorities, and commitment to equity. For questions or technical assistance, applicants may contact Taylor McDonough, Director of Substance Use Prevention, via email or phone. An informational session is scheduled for April 17, 2026 to provide an overview of the program and application process, with a recording made available for those unable to attend.

Align proposal with equity priorities and opioid settlement strategies; demonstrate evidence-informed approaches and community impact