Rutherford County Opioid Settlement Grant

The Rutherford County Opioid Settlement Grant is administered by the Rutherford Opioid Board and designed to channel funds from the national opioid lawsuit settlements into local, evidence-based initiatives that combat the opioid crisis within the county. These funds are sourced from a $26 billion national settlement involving pharmaceutical companies, with Tennessee projected to receive $700 million between 2021 and 2038. Of that, Rutherford County expects to receive nearly $4.5 million in opioid abatement dollars during the 2023–2026 period. The program’s purpose is to repair and strengthen the community through strategic, measurable interventions addressing opioid use disorder (OUD) and its impact. The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Office of Prevention Science and Recovery (OPSR) plays a key role in managing the application process and supporting the implementation of projects. Proposals are accepted annually and must align with one or more of the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council's six strategic categories: Primary Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment, Recovery Support, Education and Training, and Research and Evaluation. All funded activities must derive from the state’s approved remediation list of allowable interventions. Applications must also demonstrate sustainability, recognizing that the county’s share of the settlement will decrease over time as overdose rates decline. The application process is managed through an online portal. All nonprofit applicants must submit their full application package online, including narrative, budget, and supporting documents. Government organizations submit via direct communication with OPSR. Each applicant must submit by March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST to be considered for funding beginning July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30, 2027. The selection timeline includes Board review in May and June, followed by funding approvals from the Rutherford County Commission. The funding mechanism is primarily reimbursement-based, unless explicitly authorized otherwise. Award amounts are capped at $100,000 per organization per fiscal year, with the Board reserving the right to adjust allocations based on budget alignment, project status (new vs. existing), and available funds. Notably, the Board has expressed a preference for new programs to broaden the county’s Recovery Continuum, although returning applicants are still eligible. Organizations may only receive one grant per year, with the exception of local government entities, which may receive multiple reappropriations. Funded organizations are required to sign an Opioid Abatement Service Provider Agreement with the county, which includes insurance minimums for liability and professional services. Grantees must report quarterly on evaluation metrics outlined in their proposal and provide final documentation verifying that all awarded funds were spent appropriately. OPSR will provide technical assistance for data reporting and program tracking throughout the grant term. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, 501(c)(6) chambers of commerce, nonprofit civic organizations, and government organizations within Rutherford County. Activities must strictly benefit county residents and comply with state law. While no matching funds are required, detailed financial tracking and reporting are mandatory. All applications must adhere to the guidelines set out in the official Request for Proposals, with incomplete or non-compliant applications subject to disqualification or denial by the Board.

Priority consideration is given to new projects over ongoing ones. Submission must be made through the online portal.