A practical guide to grants for substance use prevention coalitions and programs, SAMHSA DFC, state pass-through, and foundation funding.
2025–2026 STATUS UPDATE: HHS announced restructuring in March 2025 that consolidates SAMHSA, HRSA, OASH, ATSDR, and NIOSH into a new “Administration for a Healthy America (AHA)” as part of a ~25% HHS workforce reduction. Programs and contact pathways may have shifted. Verify at hhs.gov.
Prevention work (as distinct from treatment and recovery) is funded primarily through SAMHSA programs targeting community coalitions, schools, and prevention infrastructure.
TL;DR
- Who funds prevention? ONDCP/CDC (Drug-Free Communities), SAMHSA (SPF-PFS, prevention block grant set-aside), state SABG prevention dollars, DOJ, CDC directly, opioid settlement funds.
- Who can apply? Prevention coalitions, schools, FQHCs, public health departments, nonprofits.
- What gets funded? Coalition infrastructure, evidence-based prevention programs, youth education, environmental strategies.
Federal Funding
Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. The largest federal prevention coalition program. Funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), administered by the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). See the DFC program details on CDC.gov and the SAMHSA grants guide for SAMHSA’s separate prevention work.
SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS).
SAMHSA Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP Act).
SABG prevention set-aside via state pass-through.
CDC. Overdose prevention surveillance, prescription opioid overdose prevention.
Opioid Settlement Funds
State and local opioid settlement dollars increasingly fund prevention. Engage your state’s settlement allocation process.
Foundation Funders
- Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
- Pew Charitable Trusts.
- Community foundations.
- Faith-based foundations active in prevention.
What Gets Funded
- Coalition infrastructure.
- Evidence-based prevention programs in schools.
- Youth substance use prevention.
- Environmental strategies (policy, enforcement, retail compliance).
- Workforce development for prevention specialists.
- Special populations (rural, tribal, college, military).
Tips for a Competitive Application
- Use the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF).
- Show coalition strength (12-sector representation for DFC).
- Use evidence-based programs from SAMHSA’s registry.
- Address data (NSDUH, YRBS, BRFSS, local needs assessment).
- Plan for sustainability through state and local partnerships.
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces prevention funding across SAMHSA, CDC, DOJ, state, and foundation sources, with drafts in your coalition’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- SAMHSA Grants: A Guide to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Funding
- Grants for Addiction Recovery Programs
- Grants for Mental Health Nonprofits
Further Reading
- CDC Drug-Free Communities (DFC)
- Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
- SAMHSA grants
- Grants.gov (federal funding portal)
- Wikipedia: Drug-Free Communities Act
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.