Virginia ABC Alcohol Education and Prevention Grant Program

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority offers the Alcohol Education and Prevention Grant Program through its Community Health and Engagement (CH&E) division. The program supports evidence-based initiatives that address underage drinking, high-risk alcohol use, and social hosting. This annual grant initiative aligns with Virginia ABC’s mission to promote community health and responsible alcohol use across the Commonwealth by funding projects that foster measurable impact, build capacity, and facilitate sustainable prevention partnerships. Virginia ABC CH&E develops and delivers statewide prevention strategies for a broad range of audiences, including elementary through post-secondary schools, older adults, state agencies, community coalitions, and nonprofit organizations. Their grant program focuses on funding educational and preventative strategies that are community-driven and grounded in the Strategic Prevention Framework established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate evidence-based practices and cultural competence into their project designs to ensure long-term positive outcomes. Eligible applicants include community coalitions, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, faith-based groups, and other prevention-oriented organizations. The funding is designed to support activities that build local capacity, provide educational outreach, and programmatically address the grant’s stated focus areas. Funding requests are capped at $10,000 per project. While Virginia ABC reserves the right to partially fund proposals, funds must be used exclusively for prevention-related expenses, such as instructional materials, media services, educational events, and outreach tools. Personnel salaries, indirect costs, stipends, and general operating expenses are not permitted under this program. The application cycle opens on January 1, 2026, and closes on March 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Awards will be announced via email by April 25, 2026, and awardees must return a signed grant agreement by June 15, 2026. The funded project period begins July 1, 2026, and ends with the submission of a final report on May 15, 2027. Grantees are also required to submit an interim progress report by December 10, 2026. Proposals should be submitted through the online application portal, and applicants are encouraged to review the Grant Application Guide and develop responses offline before submission. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the program’s goals, use of evidence-based practices, sustainability planning, partnership strength, and a clear connection between the needs assessment and proposed activities. A well-articulated evaluation plan is required, outlining how the project will be assessed and how data will inform future improvements. All grantees are expected to collect and report outcome data to measure success in relation to their project goals. Applicants must also provide detailed Partnership Agreement Letters from collaborating organizations that will directly contribute to project success. These letters must state the nature and scope of the collaboration and must be printed on official letterhead and signed. The application does not require Letters of Support unless the organization is an active project partner. Applicants may also submit optional evaluation tools as part of their proposal to strengthen their submission. For questions, applicants may contact Virginia ABC CH&E by phone at (804) 977-7440 or via email at [email protected].

Use evidence-based models like SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework and submit detailed Partnership Agreement Letters.