Youth Substance Use Prevention Grants
Youth Substance Use Prevention Grants support Virginia organizations delivering evidence-based, multisession instruction to young people to prevent substance use, with optional community-based activities.
Funder: Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth
Due Dates: October 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. (Online application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 annually and $150,000 over three years; 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 programming and complete the required pre-application webinar.
Description
The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) funds three-year projects delivering evidence-based substance use prevention instruction directly to Virginia youth. Under RFA #852P026, organizations must implement at least one of seven approved programs in the 2027 Curriculum Guide, collectively spanning PreK through 12th grade. Instruction may take place in classrooms, small-group discussions, or other appropriate settings.
The opportunity emphasizes sustained engagement with the same youth over multiple sessions, following the selected program’s implementation requirements. Settings with regular attendance or long-term mandated care are good candidates; irregular or sporadic attendance is less suitable. Applicants may combine approved curricula and supplement instruction with optional community-based strategies involving youth, families, schools, and community partners.
