Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you support?
Our grant program is designed to support increased options, elevated awareness, and facilitated access to recovery from alcohol addiction. By distributing funds to exemplary non-profit organizations, we work to:
- Develop and test new medications and behavioral interventions for alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- Identify the causative roots of AUD
- Promote a “yes-and,” toolbox approach to AUD recovery that includes multiple strategies and modalities
- Raise public awareness about AUD signs, symptoms, treatment, and recovery
- Encourage the growth of innovative and effective local and national programs that promote AUD recovery
- Address local and systemic obstacles to AUD treatment access
What don’t you support?
Initiatives that focus on alcohol addiction tend to score better than those that address addiction broadly. The committee in most cases tends not to favor applications for ongoing support of existing programs that serve a local community. Although we recognize the need for such funding, our goal is to spark innovation within the field, driving change that will ultimately lead to transformation.
PGDF’s grant program provides funds to non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations within the United States only. PGDF does not give grants to individuals or for-profit businesses or organizations. Proof of tax-exempt status and follow-up reporting will be required.
How are proposals evaluated?
Before each grant cycle, PGDF staff, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council collaborate to draft goals and objectives for that cycle consistent with the mission and vision of the organization. Applications are evaluated based mainly on how well they address those goals and objectives.
Applications are also rated on the following:
- Mission fit
- Significance or impact of the project
- Scalability across the field
- Likelihood of success
- Strength of organization or team
- Innovation
- Use of best (evidence-based) practices
Successful applicants are able to demonstrate the need and utility for their work, outline their methods for evaluating outcomes, and address a way forward within the field— for example, developing and measuring new programs that could be used broadly across the field in the future.
After the application deadline has passed, PGDF staff members compile all applications for review by the Grant Committee, which selects finalists for further discussion. Finalists are scored using a system similar to that used by NIH and SAMHSA for their grant reviews, and discussed in a group meeting. PGDF staff members conduct background research on finalist organizations to augment the discussion. The Grants Committee then makes award recommendations to the Board of Directors, which makes the final decision based on funds available.
How can I apply?
Note: In 2019, we will not be running our usual open-application grant cycle, and will instead make an announcement in late fall 2019 about how our grant funds will be distributed. Many thanks to all who inquired for their interest. Please watch this space for an update on our 2020 cycle next summer.
We typically open the grant cycle for applications in July or August, with an October 1st deadline (postmark). Applications may be submitted online, by email, or by postal mail.
When we are ready to receive applications, we will post the application form and a link to the online form on this page, and will announce the call for proposals on our blog and via newsletter. If you would like to receive our quarterly newsletter, please join our mailing list.
May I talk to a staff person?
In most cases, yes. We are very happy to answer any questions you may have about the application process and to learn more about your program if you think it is a strong fit for our guidelines. We prefer that first contact be by email rather than phone so we are able to visit your website and learn a little about you before we speak.
We are also able to offer feedback upon request to those whose applications were declined if the applicant was designated as a finalist. Because applications that were eliminated in the first round were not discussed in committee, we do not have specific information about why they were not selected.
Staff time is very limited around the time of grant award and disbursement, so please be patient if it takes time to receive feedback.
How many grants do you make per year and at what level?
PGDF’s annual grant portfolio typically consists of seven to twelve grants, ranging from $5,000 up to $225,000. Our most common award amount is $5,000 to $10,000. The number and amount of awards given each year is dependent upon successful fundraising initiatives and will vary from year to year.
How do you evaluate outcomes?
Each grantee is required to submit regular progress reports on their project, including a final report. These reports are carefully reviewed to be sure the objectives of the project are achieved. Whenever possible, PGDF staff visit with grantees during the grant period to see the progression of the work firsthand.
Periodically, we analyze progress reports as a group to assess our overall impact. The results of this analysis are compiled as an Impact Report, which is available to the public.
We also conduct surveys of our grantees and applicants to be sure our methodology is helpful to them and their work.
What have you accomplished so far?
In our first five years, we have awarded 35 grants to 21 organizations, which have:
- Presented educational events and resources on AUD to the public that have reached over 100,000 people
- Funded three innovative pilot studies on novel strategies for treating AUD, opening new areas of scientific inquiry
- Supported AUD-related training and education for an estimated 800 leaders in the addiction field
- Sponsored reduced-cost treatment, referral to treatment, or treatment-enhancing services for approximately 1,000 people
Additionally, the PGDF Treatment Guide, researched and written by PGDF staff members Beth A. Nardi and Elizabeth Cairns, is a comprehensive guide to AUD treatment and recovery that details over 50 topics and 140 resources. The PGDF Treatment Guide is free to use, available 24/7, and has been visited by over 50,000 people since its inception.