The Choose Life Fund is a funding initiative administered by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) to support services for pregnant women in Ohio who are planning to place their children for adoption. The fund is rooted in Ohio law, specifically established under Section 3701.65 of the Ohio Revised Code, and is financed through contributions collected by the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles from the sale of “Choose Life” specialty license plates as authorized by Section 4503.91 of the same code. These voluntary contributions by Ohio residents directly support programs aligned with the fund’s objectives.
The purpose of the Choose Life Fund is to assist eligible nonprofit organizations in delivering supportive services to expectant mothers during their adoption planning process. This funding aims to provide necessary resources and ensure that women in these circumstances receive the help they need in a compassionate and structured environment. Services funded may include counseling, maternity housing, adoption assistance, and related supportive measures that help women navigate the complexities of adoption.
Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations that meet the criteria defined in Ohio Revised Code Section 3701.65. These organizations must operate within the state of Ohio, and the services funded must benefit residents of Ohio. This ensures the grant’s impact remains targeted and relevant to the populations that contributed to its funding through the vehicle registration process.
The application period for the 2025 cycle opens on April 21, 2025, and closes on June 3, 2025. Projects funded through this opportunity must start on July 1, 2025, and be completed by June 30, 2026. No cost-sharing or financial matching is required, making it accessible for smaller nonprofits that might lack the capacity to provide matching funds.
Applications must be submitted according to the guidelines outlined in the official Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) document. The application does not include a pre-application or letter of intent phase. Interested organizations should consult the grant document for complete instructions on how to prepare and submit their proposals. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly provided in the opportunity overview but are likely detailed in the RFGA attachment.
For questions or further information, applicants can contact the Department of Children and Youth at Procurement_Inquiries@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov. Additionally, the Ohio Grants Partnership can be contacted at Grants@OBM.Ohio.Gov for general grant-related inquiries. No phone contact is listed. A supplemental exhibit provides data on how funds have been awarded by county in past cycles.
