Momentum Initiative Grant Program

The Momentum Initiative Grant is administered by the West Virginia First Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit entity established under the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Foundation was created to manage and distribute opioid settlement funds in support of evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery services related to substance use disorders. The Foundation operates exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, with an emphasis on deploying funds to improve the lives of West Virginians impacted by the opioid crisis. This grant opportunity, designated for Fiscal Year 2026, is a one-time funding initiative and not guaranteed to recur in future cycles. It offers targeted support across five designated areas, including one statewide and four regional categories. The statewide category is dedicated to programs serving Foster Care and Non-Parental Caregivers, while the regional categories include Youth Prevention, Recovery Housing, Behavioral Health & Workforce Development, and Day Report & Reentry Programs. Projects are funded according to these defined focus areas, with a total of $19.2 million allocated across all categories. Applicants may request funding only for specific target areas and must structure their applications accordingly. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, tax-exempt entities under IRC 115, governmental entities, and certain for-profit entities that offer qualifying charitable services. For-profit organizations are eligible only under the Statewide Target Area and must partner with a nonprofit. Applications must be submitted via the Foundation's online grants portal and are limited to one submission per applicant. Organizations may apply to either the statewide category and one regional area, or up to three regional categories. A single application must cover all chosen areas. Applications must include a narrative that addresses project need, design, staffing, outreach, engagement, sustainability, and impact, along with required attachments such as audited financials or IRS Form 990, organizational chart, letters of support, and leadership resumes. All funds must be used within twelve months of award, with a possible six-month extension upon approval. Grant funds will be disbursed in four installments: an initial 40% followed by three 20% tranches. Grantees must submit financial reports after each disbursement, and future payments depend on approval of previous reports. The application portal opens on September 22, 2025, and closes on October 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. EST. Awards will be announced on or before December 31, 2025. Applicants are encouraged—but not required—to submit a notice of intent to apply. Evaluation of proposals will follow a formal scoring rubric focusing on alignment with the Foundation’s strategic vision, use of evidence-based methods, sustainability, and implementation planning. However, final decisions rest with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which may also consider interviews, site visits, and other qualitative insights beyond the scoring rubric.

Follow the Foundation’s grant portal instructions exactly. Use the Foundation’s budget template. Ensure compliance with category rules (e.g., geographic limits and single submission policy). Upload all required documents in electronic format.