BAY CITY, MI – The Bay County Board of Commissioners recently approved the transfer of more than $1 million to the Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF).
The board recently agreed to direct $1,350,597 in opioid settlement funds to the foundation to support stewardship, grantmaking, and long-term investment in the local community, according to a BACF news release.
“The Board’s decision to entrust these funds to the Bay Area Community Foundation reflects a shared commitment to addressing one of the most urgent public health challenges facing our community,” Bay Area Community Foundation President and CEO Shawna Walraven said in a statement.
The funds will be used in accordance with the uses allowed under the National Opioids Settlement Agreement, which include evidence-based prevention, treatment, recovery and harm-reduction efforts aimed at addressing the ongoing opioid crisis in Bay County.
“This investment allows us to support the organizations and systems on the front lines of the opioid crisis, and to ensure that these dollars are used effectively, and in ways that will truly make a difference for individuals and families in Bay County,” Walraven’s statement continued.
The foundation is working alongside county officials to finalize an agreement for the foundation’s newly created fund.
Foundation officials also plan to establish a grantmaking system and assemble a committee that will be tasked with making recommendations regarding grant awards.
The committee will be composed of experts in public health, behavioral health, recovery, human services and community engagement, according to BACF officials.
The fund will be administered by the foundation, which will also develop guidelines for grants, the grant application process, and accountability structures. The foundation will monitor and provide updates on grant awards and how they are being used.
“We take this responsibility very seriously,” Walraven said, “BACF is committed to working alongside local leaders, services providers, and those with lived experience to ensure that these funds foster recovery, strength prevention efforts, and support a healthier future for our entire community.”
Additional information about the Bay Area Community Foundation, including funding opportunities, is available online at bayfoundation.org.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.