Community Grants

Drug abuse continues to be a major social problem in cities across the country. Most approaches for dealing with this problem focus on reducing the supply of drugs, which has met with limited success.

We’ve decided to try another approach. We focus on improving and expanding community-based prevention, intervention, and recovery programs which we believe offer best hope for long term success. With the support of the U.S. Department of Justice, we provide direct assistance to community-based programs working in these areas.

Since 2005, we have provided grants ranging between $1,000 and $10,000. To date, we have awarded $248,000 to 37 community organizations dedicated to making differences in people’s lives. In 2007 we will accept Request for Proposals for consideration in the third cycle of the Drug Demand Reduction Program.

Award Recipients 2005-2006

African American Female Entrepreneurs Alliance African Cultural Alliance of North America African American Freedom & Reconstruction League Black Women in Sports BOOST Byron Story Foundation Congresso de Latinos Unidos CYO Steelers Fresh Start Friendly Friends Men & Women For Human Excellence Minute by Minute Mothers in Charge Mount Carmel CDC Nazarene CDC Neighborhood Youth New Jerusalem Laura

One Day At A Time Parkside Recovery People’s Emergency Center Phoenix II Project H.O.M.E. Simmons Youth Development Steelers CYO Football Steps to Serenity Taller Puertorriqueno Teenagers in Charge The Enterprise Center The Lighthouse Troopers, Inc. Urban Tree Connection Weed & Seed YMCA North Youth Achieving Project of Wynnefield

Who’s Eligible?

Any 501(c)(3) community organization providing programs that further reduce the demand for drugs is eligible to apply. Applicant organizations should have annual budgets of $250,000 or less. Organizations that do not yet have their federal tax-exempt status may submit an application through a fiscal agent that does have a 501(c)(3). A copy of the fiscal agreement must be provided with the application. Also, organizations without the federal exempt status must be chartered in the state in which funding is being requested as a non-profit entity and must provide proof of its non-profit status. A copy of the organization’s incorporation must be included in the application package.

We do not fund:

• Individuals
• Private, profit-making corporations or ventures
• Proposals not in accord with ACF’s mission
• Special events that have no clear, long-range, positive impact on a significant problem or group of people
• Campaigns to pay state or federal fees for establishing a non-profit organization or for payment of taxes, debt, or fines

In addition, the organization must:

• Complete and submit the application materials described here
• Be able to demonstrate a reasonable amount of community support
• Be able to show how the program or service will continue beyond the ACF funding period
• Be willing to participate in the required ACF evaluation of the program or service
• Be willing to accept technical assistance when/if assistance is necessary

Review Process

The Grant Review Board will review funding proposals, conduct site visits and make recommendations to the Foundation President regarding funding decisions. Applicants are notified of ACF’s funding decision by mail.

Our Drug Demand Reduction Grants are supported by the U.S. Department of Justice.