General Grants

The General Grant is the cornerstone funding mechanism of the Opioid Abatement Community Grant Program, awarding investments of $30,000 or more to qualified, experienced organizations dedicated to addressing opioid and substance use disorders. Designed for initiatives requiring medium-to-high funding levels, these grants empower impactful, evidence-based programs over a performance period of up to two years. Eligible applicants must possess a minimum of two years of operational history, a proven track record of executing similar initiatives, robust organizational management capabilities, and a demonstrated readiness to provide comprehensive financial and performance reporting documentation.

By satisfying these rigorous institutional standards, the proposed project directly aligns with the Commission's mandate for responsible resource allocation and sustainable, community-focused interventions within Delaware. Funding through this General Grant will be instrumental in enabling this project to advance the state's overarching objectives: expanding access to clinical care, implementing large-scale harm reduction and prevention strategies, and strengthening statewide recovery networks.

Organizations applying for General Grant support must satisfy the following institutional and programmatic eligibility requirements:

Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Community Grants Program exclusively through our online portal in Bonfire.

In addition to completing all fields within the online Grant Application Form, applicants must upload the following mandatory documents via Bonfire. Failure to provide required materials may result in disqualification.

To ensure absolute fairness, transparency, and consistency, the Commission utilizes a multi-phase evaluation framework. All review panels comprise Commission staff, Commission members, and community representatives with lived experience, all of whom are strictly screened for actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Phase 1 | Initial Technical Review: Upon submission, applications undergo an administrative compliance screening to verify that all mandatory documentation is present and aligned with Exhibit E and OARS requirements. Applicants with missing materials will be formally notified and granted a strict one-week cure period to submit the required items; failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification.

Phase 2 | Evaluation and Standardized Scoring: Applications clearing the technical review proceed to formal evaluation under a standardized scoring rubric. Each proposal is independently evaluated by a minimum of three reviewers. Individual scores are averaged to establish a baseline. Major point variances or significant scoring discrepancies between panel reviewers are flagged for collaborative reconciliation.

Phase 3 | Priority Alignment and Portfolio Balancing: The Commission strongly encourages proposals that target high-need geographic areas (ZIP codes with the highest overdose rates) or high-risk demographics (such as reentrants or individuals experiencing housing insecurity). While extra points are not awarded, aligning with these priorities is heavily considered during our review. This approach allows us to build a balanced statewide portfolio that closes service gaps across prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services.

Final Decision & Approval: The full Commission will convene to cast final votes on funding recommendations based on verified evaluation scores and the strategic priorities of the current grant cycle. Following the evaluation period, the full Commission will vote on applications on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Grant recipients must submit regular data and performance milestones. This ensures fiscal accountability and quantifies community-level impact. Additionally, grantees are required to participate in regular check-ins and site visits with assigned Commission staff.

In alignment with the Commission's core mandate, these grants are strategically designed to empower organizations serving historically underrepresented, marginalized, and vulnerable populations. By deploying these resources, we seek to fill critical service gaps, complement existing statewide initiatives without supplanting them, and foster a highly coordinated, data-driven response to the opioid crisis. The Commission prioritizes innovative intervention models, proactive capacity building, and sustainable strategies capable of driving measurable, long-term change across Delaware.

We encourage you to review all application criteria thoroughly and provide detailed, data-supported narratives demonstrating your program's potential and alignment with our mission. Should you require technical support or guidance during the application window, access to our FAQ repositories, instructional webinars, and one-on-one technical assistance is readily available.

Thank you for your tireless dedication to combating the opioid epidemic and enhancing the health, recovery, and well-being of Delaware's communities. We look forward to evaluating your proposal and learning more about your impact.