Community Interventions through Faith-based Organizations: Addressing Menthol Tobacco Use Inequities in African American/Black Communities

The state of Maryland, through the Maryland Department of Health Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control, is seeking proposals from eligible applicants to develop and implement community interventions through faith-based organizations to address menthol tobacco use inequities in African American/Black communities. The anticipated duration of the services is from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with an option to renew the contract for three additional one-year option periods. The Department intends to make up to two awards, with each award not to exceed $150,000 per year. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or local, state government agencies, public colleges, or state universities. The project must be delivered directly through or in partnership with a minimum of three faith-based organizations, with the majority of the participating community identifying as African American/Black. The application due date is May 24, 2024, by 2:00 PM EST.

Eligible applicants must provide documentation of their tax-exempt status or that of their fiscal sponsor. The funding opportunity aims to raise awareness about predatory marketing of tobacco products, educate and increase access to evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment services, encourage non-tobacco users in African American/Black communities to remain tobacco-free, and build capacity and mobilize communities to address inequities. The budget for each award is capped at $150,000 per year, and the contract will be a Fixed Price Contract. Applicants must submit a detailed budget narrative and form, which will be evaluated based on the reasonableness of the costs given the time and effort described in the Project Narrative.