March 13, 2023 - OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND BOARD HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING
COLUMBUS, OH – The OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization charged with statewide distribution of more than $800 million for substance use prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, held its March board meeting today at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce offices in Columbus.
Board members received a greeting from Chair Don Mason (Region 12), who congratulated his board colleagues and Foundation staff for the successful launch of the 2024 Regional Grant Cycle and emphasized the Foundation’s focus on funding evidence-based proposals across Ohio.
“After many months of careful planning and hard work by our board and staff, we’re pleased to be embarking on our first-ever grant cycle,” said Mason. “By allocating significant – and much-needed – settlement funds to support innovative, evidence-based programs and services, we can most effectively address the devastation caused by the opioid epidemic and bring hope to those impacted across Ohio.”
As is now a feature of board meetings, Julie Ehemann (District 15) shared the recovery story of Kathy Zeller of Logan County. Following many years in active addiction, Zeller has been in recovery since January 2016 and now serves as the director of Recovery Zone in Bellefontaine, which offers 24/7 peer-to-peer counseling and other support services. You can read Kathy’s story here.
2024 Regional Grant Cycle Update
Executive Director Alisha Nelson provided an overview of the Foundation’s recently launched regional grant cycle and the extensive outreach efforts underway to elicit a wide range of proposals for funding to support innovative, evidence-based programs and services.
The 2024 Regional Grant request for proposals (RFP) has been posted and the registration process opened in the OneOhio Grant Portal on March 4. The application window will open in the portal on April 2, and a scoring rubric and application questions will be available on the Foundation’s website at or before that time. An evidence-based guidance document is now available on the Foundation’s Grant Headquarters webpage:
The deadline to submit applications in the OneOhio Grant Portal is May 3. Organizations across Ohio are encouraged to submit applications to advance innovative, evidence-based ideas for combating the impact of substance use while enhancing prevention, treatment and recovery services and programming around the state. Successful proposals will be selected through a competitive process to share in the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s 2024 Regional Grant Cycle, its first. As much as $51 million will be allocated by the Foundation in this cycle.
Proceeding with Foundation business, the Board also:
Received a report from the Executive Committee, which announced its plans to meet monthly to address any pressing Foundation matters between full board meetings.
Received a report from the Grant Oversight Committee, which provided an update on the ongoing work to prepare for the application launch on April 2.
Received an update from Expert Panel member Lovell Custard, who reviewed the evidence-base questions in the application and the resources to be provided to applicants as they seek to describe their evidence base of proposed projects or programs.
Received a report from the Personnel Committee, which provided an update on ongoing efforts to hire additional Foundation staff and the recent approval of staff benefits and compensation for the organization.
Received a report from Executive Director Alisha Nelson regarding ongoing efforts to engage with partners across Ohio to maximize the impact of the opioid settlement dollars to be distributed now and into the future.
Received and approved a finance report from Jim Quinn, the Foundation’s finance manager.
The board’s next public meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
