Youth Substance Use Prevention Grants
Youth Substance Use Prevention Grants support Virginia organizations delivering evidence-based, multisession instruction to children and youth to prevent substance use through sustained engagement.
Funder: Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth
Due Dates: October 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 over three years, capped at $50,000 annually; up to $6 million statewide
Summary: Supports Virginia organizations delivering approved, evidence-based, multisession substance use prevention instruction to youth.
Key Information: Applicants must serve at least 200 youth participants annually through approved curriculum programming.
Description
The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) offers three-year grants under RFA #852P026 to implement evidence-based youth substance use prevention programs across Virginia. Formerly the Youth Tobacco Use Prevention RFA, this opportunity supports direct instruction using at least one of seven programs in the 2027 VFHY Curriculum Guide, covering children and youth from PreK through 12th grade.
Each approved program requires sustained engagement with the same youth over multiple sessions. Instruction may take place in classrooms, small-group discussions, or other appropriate settings. Settings with regular attendance, such as schools, after-school programs, early care programs, and residential treatment facilities, are good candidates. Programs with irregular or sporadic attendance are less well suited. Optional community-based strategies may supplement, but do not replace, the required curriculum instruction.
