Funding for Recovery Equity and Expansion

The Funding for Recovery Engagement and Expansion (FREE III) program is a statewide grant initiative designed to reduce overdose deaths and improve the well-being of Kentuckians who are at elevated risk for substance use harms. Managed through a partnership between the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort within the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and administered by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, this program supports nonprofit organizations that can expand outreach, engagement, prevention, treatment, and recovery supports across the Commonwealth. The program prioritizes building relationships with individuals at high risk, improving access to evidence-based services, and strengthening community-level prevention and recovery infrastructure. FREE III supports projects that focus on trauma-informed and resilience-oriented approaches as well as activities that reduce stigma and promote acceptance of life-saving interventions. Eligible organizations may conduct outreach, build coalitions, expand knowledge of overdose prevention, distribute interventions such as naloxone, and support evidence-based treatment and recovery pathways including medications for opioid use disorder. Grass-roots organizations serving communities disproportionately impacted by overdose are of special interest, and at least ten awards of $50,000 each will be issued. All funded activities must fall within the grant period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. The program requires all proposed activities to align with evidence-based, evidence-informed, or community-defined practices. Applicants are encouraged to design collaborative efforts that strengthen local service networks, raise public awareness, and support individuals in high-need areas. The program does not allow out-of-state travel, non-evidence-based programming, promotional merchandise, or the construction or purchase of structures. Funds cannot be used to supplant existing funding or provide direct payments to individuals seeking treatment. Applications must clearly describe the populations served, geographic areas covered, specific needs, service gaps, local data points, and organizational experience working with the targeted communities. Organizations applying to FREE III must submit complete proposals by December 5, 2025, including all required narratives, objectives, budgets, and documentation. Proposals should demonstrate clear monthly implementation plans for 2026, including benchmarks to measure progress and achievable objectives tied to overdose prevention and recovery outcomes. Awardees will sign agreements outlining reporting and fiscal requirements. Monthly progress reports are mandatory and must capture measurable performance indicators along with financial expenditures. Grantees are also expected to participate in routine meetings, collaborative learning workshops, and technical assistance sessions. During the implementation phase, the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky provides ongoing support to awardees through technical assistance, site visits, and collaborative development workshops. These opportunities help strengthen organizational capacity in managing grants and in delivering evidence-based prevention and recovery supports. Program staff work directly with grantees to review financial practices, confirm adherence to approved project scopes, and ensure that program goals remain aligned with community needs and statewide overdose prevention priorities. Communication with program administrators is encouraged throughout the application and grant period. Applicants may submit questions directly to the Grants Program Administrator, and funded organizations can expect consistent engagement with Foundation staff. Through strategic partnerships, data-driven approaches, and community-centered interventions, FREE III seeks to reduce premature death, expand harm reduction and treatment access, and advance recovery for Kentuckians affected by the overdose epidemic.

Use strong local overdose data; demonstrate trauma-informed approaches; show collaborative capacity and readiness to implement within 2026