Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is sponsored by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen infrastructure among local partners to prevent youth substance use.

Apply for DFC Funding | Overdose Prevention | CDC Skip directly to site content The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to prevent youth substance use. Why join the DFC Program? The DFC Program is the nation's leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use.

Joining this program provides community-based coalitions with up to 10 years of funding to promote positive youth engagement and address the local conditions that drive youth substance use.

Directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the DFC Support Program partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ONDCP’s grant recipient, CADCA, to provide support and guidance to DFC coalitions related to coalition-building, programmatic expertise, and evaluation support.

The substances of focus are: Community-based coalitions A community coalition is a community-based formal arrangement for cooperation and collaboration among community groups, or sectors. Eligible entities are community-based coalitions. Community-based coalitions that are non-profits (501c3 status) can apply.

If community-based coalitions don't have 501c3 status, they can partner with another organization (e.g., school districts, local health departments, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, local hospitals, local governments, or other agencies) to apply for funding. Partner organizations within a qualifying sector Youth : Someone 18 years of age or younger in a public, private, home schooled, or alternative school (you must list their age).

Parent : A person who is legally responsible for a child, grandchild, or foster child. Business : A representative of a business-related organization that provides services that are not in conflict with the goals and objectives of the DFC program. School : A representative of the school system with influence in school policies and procedures.

Youth-serving organization : A representative of an organization that provides services to support youth. Religious or fraternal organization : A representative of a faith-based organization or representative from a fraternal organization that is based on a common pursuit of a common goal. The organization must have a substantial program of fraternal activities.

Law enforcement : A representative of a law enforcement agency. The representative must be an active sworn law enforcement officer, not retired. Civic or volunteer groups : A representative of an organization that provides civic or volunteer activities that serves the community (not a coalition member).

Examples include Lions clubs, Rotary clubs, and so on. Healthcare professionals : An individual or representative of an organization licensed to provide physical, mental or behavioral healthcare services, like a pediatrician, pharmacist, and so on.

State, local, or tribal government agency with expertise in the field of substance use : A representative of a government-funded agency with a focus on substance use prevention, treatment, or recovery support services. Other organizations involved in reducing substance use.

Statutory requirements for community-based coalitions To apply, coalitions must: Be in existence for 6 months Include representatives from 12 required sectors Have a mission statement related to youth substance use prevention Address multiple substances Participate in the DFC national cross-site evaluation Not overlap with another DFC coalition without a letter of mutual cooperation Have the ability to receive federal funding individually or through a partner Request no more than $125,000/year Secure 100% match from non-federal sources Have not received more than 10 years of DFC funding Deadlines and decision dates Application period closes Applications are due April 14, 2026 : NEW (Year 1) - CDC-RFA-CE-26-0061 COMPETING CONTINUATION (Year 6) - CDC-RFA-CE21-210206CONT26 For questions or technical assistance, please contact CDC's Drug Free Communities Support Program at DFC_NOFO@cdc.

gov Printable version of this page . Visit Drug-Free Communities Notice of Funding Opportunity: Questions and Answers for more information. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Overdose prevention is a CDC priority that impacts families and communities.

Drug overdose is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Managing Substance Use Disorders Overdose Prevention Resources Management and Treatment of Pain Clinical Practice Guideline at a Glance Clinical Care and Treatment Health Care Provider Toolkits Strategies and Partnerships Resources for Public Health Professionals Public Health Professional Toolkits