9-Mini Grant Program Description 2026.docx

MINI GRANT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Opioid Abatement Community Grant Program | Round 4 (2026) Introduction The Mini Grant program is a vital funding mechanism of the Opioid Abatement Community Grant Program, awarding targeted investments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to legal entities operating within the State of Delaware. Formally structured to lower traditional barriers to entry, this fund empowers small-scale, localized projects to deploy rapid, measurable interventions responding to the state’s opioid crisis. Unlike larger funding streams, the Mini-Grant program features no two-year operational history requirement, making it accessible to emerging grass-roots organizations with deep community ties, as well as established organizations seeking supplemental resources to fill localized service gaps outside their primary funding streams.

Eligibility Criteria Organizations applying for Mini Grant support must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:

Organizational Capacity & Governance:

· Legal Status: Applicants must be formally registered, legally incorporated entities (e.g., nonprofit, for-profit, or governmental) operating within the State of Delaware.

· Operational History: There is no prior operational history requirement for this grant.

· Prior Performance & Compliance: For previous Commission grantees, past performance, contract fidelity, and strict compliance with prior grant requirements will be heavily factored into the eligibility determination and evaluation process.

· Governance & Leadership: Governance structures must be transparent, accountable, and possess verified leadership expertise directly relevant to the proposed program.

· Staffing Capacity: Applicants must maintain a qualified, well-organized professional team with the operational capacity required for effective program execution.

Programmatic Alignment & Evidence-Based Design:

· Strategic Priority Alignment: Proposed initiatives must directly align with the active funding cycle's core priorities and address clearly identified community needs.

· Service Delivery Approach: Programs must utilize evidence-based practices, promising practices, or highly justified innovative methods supported by peer-reviewed research and data.

· Strategic Collaboration: Organizations should demonstrate existing or planned partnerships with cross-sector stakeholders to broaden program reach, prevent duplication, and maximize community impact.

Accountability, Equity, & Technical Engagement:

· Reporting Standards: Applicants must formally commit to rigorous, regular reporting schedules covering program activities, quantitative outcomes, and detailed financial expenditures.

· Commitment to Equity: Organizations must actively prioritize diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in their program design, specifically targeting historically underserved or marginalized populations.

· Technical Cooperation: Grantees must remain open and willing to actively engage in capacity-building technical assistance to optimize program implementation and ensure regulatory compliance.

Settlement Fund Statutory Restrictions:

· Non-Supplantation: Opioid settlement funds must strictly supplement, not supplant (replace), existing funding or resources earmarked for the proposed project.

· Exhibit E & OARS Compliance: The proposed scope of work must align explicitly with one or more of the approved uses outlined in Exhibit E of the Final Distributor Settlement Agreement and the Delaware Opioid Abatement and Remediation Strategies (OARS) framework.

· Commission Strategic Priorities: In alignment with statewide data and identified intervention gaps, the Commission prioritizes investments directed toward underserved populations, innovative prevention/treatment modalities, and long-term recovery support systems.

· Pre-Award Costs: Grant funds may not be used to reimburse operational or administrative costs incurred prior to the official execution date of the grant term.

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

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

Administrative & Legal Identity:

☐ Articles of Incorporation or Legal Registration ☐ Organizational Bylaws ☐ IRS Tax Exemption Certification (For 501(c)(3) nonprofits) ☐ Active Applicable Licenses or Professional Certifications (If applicable) Financial Health & Risk Assessment:

☐ Comprehensive Project Budget Workbook (Utilizing the mandatory template) ☐ Auditing Protocols and Internal Fiscal Control Documentation Compliance:

☐ Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form ☐ Confidential Information Form ☐ Executed Non-Collusion Statement ☐ Annual Report and/or Program Summary (Optional) ☐ Supplanting Guidance Form

Application Review & Selection Process 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.

Reporting & Compliance Requirements 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.

Our Commitment to Equity and Innovation 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.

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