Coalitions Working to Strengthen Community Conditions Grant Program

The Maine Recovery Council Coalitions Working to Strengthen Community Conditions grant opportunity is a state-level funding initiative designed to address the opioid crisis through upstream, community-based prevention strategies. The Maine Recovery Council was established to direct the allocation of opioid settlement funds distributed to the state beginning in 2022 and continuing through at least 2039. This funding opportunity aligns with statewide efforts to prevent misuse of opioids by investing in community anti-drug coalitions and broader prevention systems. The program is administered in partnership with Health Resources in Action, which manages the application process and technical support. The primary purpose of this funding is to support or expand culturally relevant, community-led and youth-led initiatives that improve community conditions in areas heavily impacted by opioid use disorder. Rather than focusing on direct services or treatment, the program emphasizes structural and environmental changes that reduce risk factors associated with substance use disorders. These include improvements to housing stability, economic opportunities, safety, and social cohesion, as well as policy and systems changes that influence health outcomes. The initiative prioritizes coalitions that are deeply embedded in their communities and that actively engage individuals most affected by substance use. The total funding available for this opportunity is 1.95 million dollars, with an anticipated 5 to 8 awards distributed over a period of up to three years. Individual awards are expected to range from 75000 to 125000 dollars per year, allowing coalitions the flexibility to plan and implement long-term strategies. Two grant types are offered: Planning Grants for coalitions transitioning toward community condition approaches, and Implementation Grants for those already engaged in such work and seeking to expand or deepen their impact. Funds may be used for coalition building, capacity development, community engagement, and implementation of culturally responsive strategies, but may not be used for direct medical services, treatment, or behavior-change campaigns. Eligibility is limited to community coalitions operating within Maine. These coalitions must include collaboration among community-based organizations, prevention partners, and individuals with lived experience, and must demonstrate shared decision-making and coordinated action. A lead applicant organization is required to receive and manage funds, and must be a nonprofit organization with 501c3 status, a governmental entity, a hospital, or a recognized tribal entity. Both formal and informal coalitions are eligible, and coalitions may be geographically or population focused. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply. The application process requires submission through the Health Resources in Action Award Manager system. Applicants must complete organizational and project information fields and submit a detailed proposal addressing community context, coalition structure, engagement strategies, planned activities, and expected outcomes. Required attachments include a multi-year budget using a provided template, organizational financial documentation, verification of nonprofit status, and a completed W-9 form. The application emphasizes narrative responses that demonstrate alignment with program goals and the ability to implement sustainable, community-driven change. Applications are due by August 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Award decisions are expected to be announced in Fall 2026. The funding period extends up to three years from the contract start date. Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with funding purpose, community engagement, coalition strength and capacity, and feasibility of proposed activities. Reviewers will assess how well proposals address community-specific needs and how effectively they incorporate culturally responsive and inclusive approaches. For assistance with the application process, applicants may contact grants at hria dot org for technical support and mrc at hria dot org for programmatic questions. The program also provides technical assistance resources, including webinars and capacity-building sessions, to support applicants in understanding community conditions approaches and strengthening their proposals. This funding opportunity represents a strategic investment in long-term prevention by empowering local coalitions to address the root causes of substance use disorders.

Align proposal clearly with community conditions approach; demonstrate strong coalition partnerships and shared decision making; provide realistic timeline and budget tied to outcomes