Executive Director Update - December 2024

Turning the Page on 2024: Tackling Addiction and Building Hope for a Stronger Ohio in 2025

As we reflect on 2024 and our collective work combatting the addiction epidemic, I’m filled with optimism for 2025. Thanks to our partnership, millions in new grant funds are reaching community organizations across Ohio who are launching evidence-based and innovative projects that strengthen the infrastructure for substance-use prevention, treatment and recovery.

Over these last several months, our over 325 regional board volunteers and our 29-member board worked tirelessly to process over 1,400 applications from over 750 organizations. Each proposal underwent a rigorous review process guided by regional panels, expert advisors, and an oversight committee to ensure that the Foundation funds projects with the greatest potential for impact. I thank each and every participant in this process who served their communities well and collectively committed countless hours to support OneOhio’s first-ever grant cycle.

Since our first “Grant Award Wednesday” in early October, the Foundation has announced 173 grants totaling $31 million to help organizations on the frontlines of Ohio’s addiction epidemic, and our board has approved more than 60 additional grant awards we expect to be announced in the coming weeks. Although we will not be able to support all of the applications that made their way through this process, we are proud to see depth and breadth of the projects funded through these grants to address addiction from multiple angles—introducing new prevention programs, expanding access to treatment, reducing harm through harm reduction, and supporting recovery efforts that provide a pathway to sustained wellness.

The comprehensive approach of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation ensures that we are tackling this complex and far-reaching problem head-on. The impact of these grants cannot be overstated. They represent Ohio’s unwavering commitment to turning the tide on the addiction crisis by investing in projects grounded in data, driven by community needs, and focused on sustainable, long-term outcomes. By empowering frontline organizations with the resources they need, we are not only saving lives today but also building the solid underpinning for a healthier, stronger future for Ohio.

As we as a staff team reflect on this year, we are proud that the new grant process was built on transparency and accountability as we operate with the highest commitment to integrity and responsiveness. We remain dedicated to supporting all communities, especially those disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis and being good stewards of both our resources and our mission.

As we get ready to close the chapter on 2024, a year of progress and partnerships, we look ahead to 2025 with renewed determination and optimism. The groundwork laid this past year—through grants, collaboration, and community efforts—sets the stage for even greater strides in tackling addiction across Ohio. Together, we are not just reflecting on a year of impact but writing the next chapter of hope and healing in 2025. With your continued partnership, we can build a future where every Ohioan affected by addiction has the resources and support they need to thrive.

Warm regards,

Alisha Nelson
Executive Director
OneOhio Recovery Foundation