ORRF Mini-Grant Program Request for Proposals
The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services (SDHHS) is proud to introduce the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) Mini-Grant Program, designed to support community-based organizations across Springfield. The overarching goal of the Mini-Grant Program is to enhance and expand prevention initiatives that work upstream to reduce the prevalence of OUD while complementing ongoing harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. By focusing on prevention, we aim to:
- Reduce burdens on individuals and families, allowing people to remain employed, contribute to the economy, and support their loved ones.
- Strengthen the community’s social fabric by fostering positive social connections and creating supportive networks that build resilience.
- Engage youth and families where they live, learn, and play, helping young people avoid OUD and remain on a path toward a healthier, more successful future—ultimately strengthening the community’s human capital.
- Strengthening the opioid use disorder continuum from prevention to recovery.
SDHHS is committed to supporting organizations with deep, trusted connections to the neighborhoods and populations most impacted by the overdose crisis. Through this work, SDHHS seeks to increase access to OUD care and treatment while addressing root causes such as racism and poverty, fostering collaboration with historically underserved communities that have long faced systemic barriers and limited opportunities.
For more information and details on how to apply, please see the full Request for Proposals (RFP) linked below:
Please send all completed Mini-Grant RFP applications directly to Justin Chellman at jchellman@springfieldcityhall.com.
To view the presentation slides from the Mini-Grant Program Informational Session hosted by SDHHS on November 13, 2025, please click here.
Questions and Answers for the ORRF Mini Grant RFP
1.
Q: “The guidance states that grants and scholarships to individuals are restricted, and we wanted to confirm whether this restriction also applies to any direct financial support to individuals.
Specifically, would providing gift cards or direct funds to individuals to cover basic needs (e.g., food, transportation, essential items), for instance, be considered non-allowable under this RFP?”
A: Whereas grants and scholarships to individuals are restricted – that does not include stipends to individuals. We do allow for funds to be used for stipends – which could be in the form of gift cards and/or direct funds to individuals (for example – to compensate People With Lived and Living Experience for participation in a focus group).
2.
Q: Will the EIN be appropriate in pursuing this grant opportunity or do we need a City Vendor Code and a City Contract Number to apply?
A: The EIN is appropriate. It is not necessary to have a City vendor code or City contract number – nor are we asking for it in your applications. The budget form is identical to the form we will use with agencies that we fund and that is why those fields are present. Organizations that we do end up funding will get those generated for them after selections have been made.
3.
Q: Are there any guidelines for document formatting, page limits, etc. or how to submit the completed the application?
A: There isn’t a portal for people to apply online. Applicants are being asked create a document using the framework provided in the ORRF Grant Guidelines and send the finished proposals to jchellman@springfieldcityhall.com as a PDF and spreadsheet in the case of the budget (applicants also have the option of mailing or dropping a hard copy off here at 311 State Street if they prefer that). We’d like the font size to be 12 but we don’t have a page limit or a spacing preference – just whatever you feel is necessary to be able to describe your proposal.
The Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund
The Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) was established in 2020 to manage funds from legal settlements with companies connected to the opioid crisis. The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services (SDHHS) will receive a multi-year settlement to invest in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
The purpose of these investments is to save lives, promote health equity, and address the root causes of opioid use disorders (OUD) by building a sustainable and coordinated network of care and resources for Springfield residents.
To ensure that funding priorities reflect the community’s most pressing needs, SDHHS led a year-long community needs assessment (2023–2024), engaging residents, stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience.
Through this process, SDHHS established a Request for Proposals (RFP) to distribute ORRF funds to local organizations, with the goal to enhance Springfield’s recovery ecosystem, strengthening networks and partnerships while creating effective, sustainable pathways for individuals seeking treatment and recovery. The first round of awards, released in April 2025, provided funding to Tapestry Health, Gandara, and New North Citizens Council to support multi-year programming in Springfield. These projects focus on:
Click below to view ORRF presentations from the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services (SDHHS):
Opioid Recovery Remediation Fund Forum - August 2024
Opioid Recovery Remediation Fund Informational Session - November 2024