2009-2010 Cycle

The Drug Policy Alliance will fund another $1.4 million dollars in Promoting Policy Change and Rapid Response/Special Opportunities grants. Following is a description of the program with links to the application, and current guidelines.

The Drug Policy Alliance Advocacy Grants Program seeks to promote policy change and advance drug policy reform at the local, state, and national levels by strategically funding smaller, geographically limited or single-issue organizations and projects.

The Advocacy Grants Program is steered by a grant review committee, whose responsibilities include establishing the priorities for the program, ensuring that it is properly administered, and reviewing, approving and/or disapproving staff recommendations for grants.  Two part-time staff people administer the program.

The Advocacy Grants Program works to raise awareness and promote change through two vehicles: the Promoting Policy Change program and the Rapid Response/Special Opportunities program.

1. Promoting Policy Change

This general cycle targets organizations working to advance drug policy reform at the local, state and national levels through advocacy, grassroots organizing and education. The Advocacy Grants Review Committee will review proposals and make final funding decisions. Generally, the cap on grants awarded during the Promoting Policy Change cycle is $50,000, with typical grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. Approximate allocation: $1.2 million. Proposals are due to Drug Policy Alliance, New York Office by 8pm EDT on Thursday, June 11th, 2009. Access the Promoting Policy Change RFP Guidelines here. Download application form here.

2. Rapid Response/Special Opportunities

This monthly funding cycle is for time-sensitive projects that respond to or take advantage of sudden and strategic public education efforts and campaigns to block drug war initiatives or advance drug policy reform. Grants will be made on an ongoing basis until funding is exhausted. Organizations may submit proposals. The Advocacy Grants Review Committee will review applicant materials and make final funding recommendations. Approximate allocation: $200,000. Proposals due to Drug Policy Alliance, New York Office by 8 pm EST on the first business day of the month via email. Access the Rapid Response/Special Opportunities Proposal Guidelines here.

Restrictions on Grantmaking

• Modest funds are available through the Rapid Response grants program to support drug policy reform efforts that seek to influence local, state and/or national legislation.  Requests for such funding are likely to be highly competitive given the limited amount of funds available. These funds are not available through the Promoting Policy Change fund.
• The Program does not support the production of videos or films.
• The Program does not support the writing and publication of books and other publications but may consider strategic distribution of publications.
• The Program does not support capital expenditures.
• The program is specifically meant for project, rather than general operating, support.
• The Program does not support dissertations, postgraduate work or research.
• The Program will not provide support to individuals, and is unlikely to support academic or journalistic projects.
• The Program will not fund any organizations outside of the United States. In very rare exceptions, we will consider proposals from Canada.
• The Program does not support traditional abstinence-only treatment programs.