Applications are now available for funds from the First Foundation. Here’s how to apply:

The West Virginia First Foundation has opened up applications for state opioid funds. (Leann Ray | West Virginia Watch)

Applications for state opioid funds from the West Virginia First Foundation are now available, with a due date of Oct. 5 for organizations seeking the funding.

Members of the First Foundation approved launching the application during their monthly board meeting on Thursday. Visit https://wvfirst.org/grants/ to access the application guidelines , view detailed information on how to apply for the grants and learn more about how they will be reviewed before being awarded.

Finalized applications should not be longer than 40 pages in 12-point Times New Roman font. They are to be submitted in a PDF format via email to iog@wvfirst.org by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 5.

Here’s what you need to know about how grants will be distributed and how to apply:

What type of programs will be funded in this grant cycle

Grants awarded for the 2024 cycle will focus on four targeted areas: diversion programs to keep people out of the criminal justice system, youth prevention and workforce development, programming supporting children (including babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome) and families affected by substance use disorder and the expansion of transitional and recovery housing.

These areas of concentration were discussed and decided upon during a meeting of the First Foundation’s Initial Opportunities Committee, which was not open to members of the media or the public.

Jon Dower, an addiction specialist and counselor who serves as a board member on the First Foundation, said that these targeted areas will change in future grant cycles. Once the organization conducts a statewide needs assessment survey — which members are working on creating a request for proposal for — targeted areas will reflect results of that survey.

“This is the low hanging fruit,” Dower said. “[These are] the effective and efficient programs that we already see in the state that need a little bit of extra funding to kind of boost their services and provide the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time.”

Amount of funding available to be awarded

For this cycle, the foundation is making a total of $19.2 million available for grants out of the roughly $225 million that was in the organization’s bank account as of July, according to financial statements .

First Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Board, in an email after Thursday’s meeting, said that the $19.2 million figure — about 8.5% of the funds currently held by the Foundation — was designated for this cycle in an attempt to be “judicious” since it’s the organization’s first grant cycle.

More funding could be made available in subsequent years as the needs assessment allows for more insight into funding priorities and care gaps within existing services.

“We must be judicious in our approach here, but not so narrow in our focus that miss the desperate need throughout the state,” Board said in the email. “This grant represents an answering of the greatest calling of all West Virginians. Today’s action by the board is a shout through a metaphorical bullhorn: help is on the way.”

How funding will be awarded and divided

Each of the six regions in the state could receive a maximum of $3.2 million in grants from up to 16 different awards.

Up to $800,000 can be awarded in each region for every one of the specific target areas and up to four different grants can be given for each of the four target areas. Applicants in each region can submit proposals for multiple target areas, according to the application guidelines.

Organizations that operate in multiple counties or regions can apply for the funds using the location of their headquarters or where the services they’re proposing would be offered.

“[I]t is my understanding [that] the desire to look to headquarters is to ensure that each region has an equitable voice for those organizations headquartered within,” Board said in an email.

Once grants are awarded, they will not be allocated all at once. The First Foundation, Board said, hopes to announce the awards for this cycle by Dec. 31.

Once an organization is awarded funds, they will first receive 40% of their total allotment then three 20% installments will be distributed “on a predictable cadence,” Board said. For example, if a program received its first installment on Dec. 31, the three following installments would likely come at the beginning of each quarter.

Organizations receiving funds will be required to file financial statements documenting the use of those funds in approved areas to the First Foundation. If a grant report is not submitted, according to the application document, the First Foundation could withhold future distributions.

Funds given in this cycle must “be expended within twelve (12) months of receipt,” according to application guidelines. Organizations can, however, apply for an extension for up to six months, which will bring further reporting requirements as well.

Who can apply, what’s in the application and how applications will be reviewed

Any tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization can apply for funds, as well as those that are tax exempt under IRC 115. According to the First Foundation’s website, other organizations that “fulfill a charitable or public purpose” can apply, outside of for-profit entities.

Those looking to apply for funding are encouraged to submit a notice of intent to apply, which will remain confidential. Such a notice, according to the website, “does not extend the application deadline.”

Interested applicants will have until Sept. 13 to submit any questions regarding the application to the First Foundation.

Once applications are submitted, the First Foundation can use its sole discretion to deny funding to any applicant. The Foundation can also request additional information and schedule interviews if needed with applicants, as well as conduct unannounced site visits to the programs looking for funds.

Unannounced site visits may also happen at any time after money is awarded.

According to the application guidelines, those applying for funds should include answers to 11 questions that make up the “project narrative” for the applicant. Those questions range from explaining what need the pitched program is answering and details on the program’s goals to the financial situation of the organization applying and sustainability plans for the proposed project.

Applications should also include line-item budgets for the proposal and explanation of how, specifically, any awarded funds would be used.

Once applications are submitted, they will be reviewed using a scoring rubric that considers five different criteria: evidence-based strategies, relationship to Foundation’s strategic vision, implementation and sustainability, transparency and fairness and impact and measurability. Further details for these criteria can be found in the application guidelines as well as the First Foundation’s website.

Submitted applications will be reviewed by the Foundation’s Initial Opportunity Committee — which is not public — as well as the expert panel. Members will grade the applications, which will then be ranked based on overall scores. Any interviews, site visits or other relevant information will also be considered during this process though not graded.

Following review by the committee and the expert panel, applications will be brought to the full board for consideration and nomination of funds.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX