Request for Proposals to Enhance Community-Driven Responses to Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Mortality

The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) is a private, national grant-making foundation established in 2018. As a 501(c)(3) organization, FORE focuses on addressing the United States' opioid and overdose crisis. The foundation supports national, state, and local initiatives that promote patient-centered, innovative, and evidence-based solutions to reduce the impact of opioid use disorder (OUD). FORE aims to empower communities, individuals, and families by convening and funding partners who are working to advance practical and effective approaches to OUD treatment and prevention. This funding opportunity continues FORE's commitment to supporting community-based organizations (CBOs) that are deeply rooted in the regions they serve. The 2025 capacity-building grant program is designed to assist CBOs in enhancing their ability to respond to the opioid and overdose crisis through organizational strengthening, community partnerships, and sustainable program development. This initiative builds upon the 2023 grant cycle, where 22 organizations received funding to expand staffing, improve data systems, and develop strategic alliances. These investments helped increase access to vital services and strengthened local capacity for long-term impact. The 2025 grants will fund specific projects or activities intended to improve organizational operations, leadership, technology, administrative capacity, and programmatic effectiveness. FORE encourages applicants to articulate clearly how the proposed activities will lead to measurable improvements in their ability to deliver OUD-related services. Example activities include internal policy development, communications strategies, hiring support staff, and building new partnerships in sectors such as healthcare, criminal justice, and education. FORE will prioritize proposals that demonstrate long-term sustainability and increased community impact, particularly for high-risk populations. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based community-based organizations that have operated for at least two years, with annual operating budgets between $150,000 and $7 million. Organizations must either be a 501(c)(3) or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Academic institutions, healthcare systems, and national organizations may not apply directly but can participate as partners, provided the CBO is the lead applicant and receives the majority of requested funds. The application process is two-staged. First, interested applicants must submit a Concept Note by July 2, 2025. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit Full Proposals by September 15, 2025. The RFP was released on May 29, 2025, and an informational webinar will be held on June 5, 2025. Awards are anticipated between December 2025 and February 2026. Applications must be submitted through FORE’s online grant management system and include details about the organization, its goals, budget, and expected outcomes of the proposed capacity-building efforts. For programmatic questions, applicants should contact Senior Program Officer Alison Sutter at asutter@forefdn.org. For technical support with the application system, Program Associate Lydia Tschoe is available at ltschoe@forefdn.org.