Today, Open Society Institute-Baltimore releases a Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting eligible organizations to apply for rapid response funding designed to provide critical supports to individuals in Maryland who use drugs, are incarcerated, or were recently released from incarceration, and thus are at increased risks of contracting COVID-19, suffering a fatal overdose, or being re-incarcerated. We know that we will not be able to support everyone, but we hope to identify and support a number of efforts that will help saves lives and futures. You can access and complete the RFP form here and follow instructions to submit.
Eligible organizations will be 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations doing advocacy for, or providing direct services to, incarcerated populations or individuals at high risk for incarceration and people who use drugs. Organizations without independent nonprofit status will be considered only if there is an existing fiscal sponsor relationship, as these funds are intended for rapid disbursement. Applicants may apply for grants up to $50,000.
This RFP is a joint project of OSI-Baltimore’s Addiction and Health Equity Program, and Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program. The application deadline is May 8, 2020, but proposals will be reviewed as early as May 1.
Please note that we are not asking for, nor do we expect, a long, detailed proposal. We value your time, and trust that organizations best suited for these funds are already engaged in targeted activities, and thus should be able to quickly say what they are doing; who, if anyone, they are partnering with; and what impact they hope to have.
Direct questions to Tara Huffman, director of OSI’s Criminal and Juvenile Justice Program, tara.huffman@opensocietyfoundations.org.
