Substance Abuse Prevention Mill Levy Grant Program

The Substance Abuse Prevention Mill Levy is administered by Missoula County and funded through a voter-approved levy originally established in 2008. The program is designed to support prevention initiatives that address underage substance use and promote healthier outcomes for youth and families. By focusing on early intervention and prevention strategies, the fund seeks to reduce the social and economic impacts associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among young people in Missoula County. The primary purpose of the program is to invest in community-based prevention efforts that strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors associated with substance use. Funded programs are expected to align with evidence-based or research-informed practices and may include coalition-building, public education campaigns, supervised youth activities, and early intervention services. These initiatives are intended to provide structured alternatives to substance use, improve awareness of risks, and support youth development through positive engagement and community collaboration. Funding for the program is determined through the county’s annual budgeting process, with the levy generating a defined funding pool for distribution. For the fiscal year 2027 cycle, the total available funding is established at $384,539. Funds are allocated to selected projects that demonstrate strong alignment with program goals and measurable impact on reducing substance abuse among youth. No matching funds are required, which allows applicants to focus on delivering services without additional financial burden. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, governmental entities, tribal governments, and public school districts that provide substance abuse prevention services within Missoula County. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed projects directly serve youth populations and contribute to prevention efforts through clearly defined activities and outcomes. Programs must be implemented within the county and cannot expend funds prior to the start of the official project period. Applications are submitted through the Missoula County online grant portal, where applicants must create an account and complete all required components. The application includes an organizational overview, a detailed project narrative addressing program need, project design, partnerships, evaluation methods, and organizational capacity, as well as a workplan, budget worksheet, budget narrative, and required attachments. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process that assesses completeness, alignment with program priorities, and the applicant’s ability to effectively implement prevention strategies. The application period for this funding cycle opened on April 1, 2026, and closes on May 8, 2026. Following submission, applications are reviewed by a committee of county officials and community members, with preliminary funding recommendations developed in June. Applicants may receive tentative award notifications in early July, and final funding decisions are made upon adoption of the county budget in September. Contracts are then executed, with funding applied retroactively to the beginning of the fiscal year period running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Align proposed activities with evidence based prevention strategies and clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes; ensure strong connection between identified community need and project design and provide complete accurate responses