Opportunity Overview
Kent County, Maryland is accepting applications for its 2026 Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) Small Grant Program. The program supports small, one-time opioid-abatement needs aligned with the allowable Core Strategies or Approved Uses in Exhibit E of the National Opioid Settlement Agreements. Kent County anticipates making up to $20,000 available annually for this small-grant track, with individual requests capped at $4,000.
Current Deadline and Review Cycle
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly until the annual allocation is exhausted. The current submission period is July 1 through September 30, 2026, with a funding decision expected by November 15, 2026. The controlling County materials state the September 30 date but do not publish a specific deadline time or time zone, so applicants should submit early rather than assume an end-of-day cutoff.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organizations are: registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; registered nonprofit faith-based organizations; public entities such as governmental entities or public schools; and nonprofit educational institutions. Eligible entities must operate within and/or serve Kent County, Maryland.
Eligible Use of Funds
Every proposed use must align with an allowable Core Strategy or Approved Use in Exhibit E of the 2022 National Settlement Agreements. The proposed use must primarily benefit individuals in Kent County. Funds cannot reimburse expenses incurred before the grant award. Awards must be expended within 12 months or less from the award determination date.
Application Requirements
A complete submission must include the official Small Grant Application Narrative Word template, the official Small Grant Program Budget Excel template, a W-9 in PDF, and eligibility documentation in PDF, such as an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter when applicable. Letters of support are optional and, if included, must be combined into a single PDF.
The narrative requires a project summary of no more than 250 words; organizational background, description of need and proposed use of funds sections of no more than 200 words each; a project timeline and project goal of no more than 100 words each; at least one process measure, one output measure and one KPI; budget justification; Exhibit E alignment; and an authorized organizational signature.
Submission Method
Complete applications must be submitted as email attachments to Joanne McNamara, Kent County Grants Program Administrator, at jmcnamara@kentgov.org. The County instructs applicants to use the subject line [Your Agency Name] ORF Small Grant Program Application Submission.
Funding and Reporting
Awards are generally distributed on a reimbursement basis after invoices and proof of expenditure are submitted, although a recipient may request an advance in writing and the County may approve it at its discretion. Recipients must provide a final programmatic outcome report and comply with the approved Exhibit E use and grant budget. The current NOFA does not state a mandatory applicant match or cost-share requirement.
Review Criteria
Review includes Exhibit E eligibility, organizational history and capacity relevant to Kent County, demonstrated need, detail and strength of the proposed use, realistic timeline, measurable impact through process/output/KPI measures, budget reasonableness, and technical completeness. Final awards remain subject to approval by the Kent County Commissioners.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 89/100. This is a highly relevant behavioral-health and opioid-abatement opportunity with a clear local-service requirement, straightforward official templates and recurring quarterly access, although the $4,000 request cap materially limits project scale.
N9+ Fit: 12/100 conditional. The program is not a direct equipment or digital-health grant, and any technology or clinical equipment expense would need to be specifically justified under an Exhibit E allowable opioid-abatement strategy. Dr. Miltie, LLC is not a direct eligible applicant under the published applicant categories, so this opportunity is primarily an applicant/partner pathway rather than a direct-vendor submission.
Next Action
Eligible Kent County-serving organizations should select the precise Exhibit E Core Strategy or Approved Use first, then complete the County narrative and budget templates with a narrow opioid-abatement project, measurable outputs and outcomes, and the required organizational documentation. Because the County has not published an exact September 30 deadline time, applicants should submit well before the date closes.
Verified sources: Kent County Grant Opportunities page and Kent County ORF Small Grant Program Notice of Funding Availability; verified September 15, 2026.