Drug-Free Communities Notice of Funding Opportunity: Questions and Answers

Related Pages

The FAQs will be updated throughout the application process. Questions not yet addressed should be sent to DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov.

On This Page
  1. What is the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program?
    • The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent youth substance use. The program provides grant awards to over 700 community-based coalitions addressing youth substance use per year. For more information, visit Drug-Free Communities Support Program.
  2. What is the DFC definition of a coalition?
    • A community coalition is a community-based formal arrangement for cooperation and collaboration among 12 community groups, or sectors, defined in the DFC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Each group retains its identity, but all agree to work together toward a common goal.
  1. When will the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) be released?
    Both New and Competing Continuation Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program NOFOs are posted on Grants.gov. Archived Funding Announcements, presentations, and FAQs can be found on Archived Funding Announcements
  2. Where do I submit an application?
    All applications are submitted via Grants.gov.
  3. When are applications due?
    Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM ET on April 11, 2023.
  4. What is the difference between the New (Year 1) NOFO and the Competing Continuation (Year 6) NOFO?
    First time applicants will apply to the New (Year 1) NOFO. Year 6 applicants will apply to the Competing Continuation (Year 6) NOFO. Recipients in Years 2-5 and 7-10 should contact their Project Officer with questions about their funding. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM ET on April 11, 2023.
  5. How do I apply to the program?
  1. How do I know if my organization is legally eligible to receive federal funding?
    Eligible applicant organizations are entities registered with the Federal Government to conduct business as a recipient. Please refer to the Eligibility Information section in the NOFO that lists the categories of eligible applicants. A coalition applying on its own behalf must be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) to receive federal funding. If the coalition does not have 501(c)(3) status, the coalition must identify a fiscal agent who is eligible to receive federal funding to apply on its behalf.
  2. Can a local government agency apply?
    A local government agency is eligible to apply – either as a fiscal agent or as the coalition itself – if it satisfies all statutory requirements outlined in the NOFO. The intent of the DFC Program is to support community-based coalitions made up of 12 required sectors that collaborate to prevent youth substance use.
  3. How can I check if my coalition overlaps with another? When is a Letter of Mutual Cooperation necessary?
    • Two coalitions may not serve the same zip code unless the coalitions have clearly demonstrated a plan for collaboration. It is the coalition’s responsibility to determine if other coalitions serving its community have received or are applying for DFC funding.
    • You may visit the DFC Coalitions webpage for a searchable list of active coalitions to verify if your coalition overlaps with a currently funded coalition. If your proposed coalition’s zip code overlaps with an existing DFC coalition, you must provide a Letter of Mutual Cooperation that indicates the overlapping zip code(s) and outlines the plan to collaborate.
  4. Who is eligible to serve as a fiscal agent?
    • Fiscal agents are entities eligible to receive federal funds on behalf of a coalition. A coalition applying on its own behalf must be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) to receive federal funding. If the coalition does not have 501(c)(3) status, it must identify a fiscal agent eligible to receive federal funding to apply on its behalf. Please refer to the Eligibility Information section of the NOFO for a list of eligibility requirements.
  5. Can a fiscal agent serve more than one coalition at a time?
    • An organization serving as a fiscal agent may only hold one DFC grant at a time and therefore cannot serve as a fiscal agent for more than one coalition at a time.
  6. Can the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and Program Director/Principal Investigator be contractors of the fiscal agent?
    • AOR and PD/PI must be salaried staff of the 501(c)(3) applicant or the fiscal agent. They cannot identify as independent contractors.
  7. What key personnel am I required to have and what role should they fill? Can one person serve in multiple roles at a time?   
    • At a minimum, the following key personnel are required:
      • Authorized Organization Representative (AOR): The AOR is the representative of the applicant/recipient organization with authority to act on the organization’s behalf in matters related to the award and administration of grants. In signing a grant application, this individual agrees that the organization will assume the obligations imposed by applicable federal statutes and regulations and other terms and conditions of the award, including any assurances, if a grant is awarded. These responsibilities include overseeing the financial aspects of the grant and the performance of the grant-supported project or activities as specified in the approved application. This person must be an employee of the recipient organization.
      • Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI): The PD/PI is the person who provides programmatic oversight of the grant and is accountable to officials of the recipient organization. The PD/PI must be an employee of the recipient organization and cannot be the same person as the AOR.
      • Project Coordinator: The Project Coordinator manages the work of the coalition and program activities, including training, coalition communication, data collection, and information dissemination. The PD/PI and the Project Coordinator can be the same person.
  8. Do the statutory requirements outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) apply to tribes and/or tribal organizations?
    • Yes, they are required to adhere to the same statutory requirements. Any interested groups are encouraged to contact DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov to address questions specific to their community.
  1. Who qualifies as a sector representative? Can one individual represent two or more sectors?
    The community coalition must have representation from the 12 sectors identified in the
    statutory requirements. Those sectors are:
    • Youth (18 or younger)
    • Parent
    • Business
    • Media
    • School
    • Youth-serving organization
    • Law enforcement
    • Religious/Fraternal organization
    • Civic/Volunteer groups
    • Healthcare professional or organization
    • State, local, or tribal governmental agency with expertise in the field of substance use (including, if applicable, the state agency with primary authority for substance use)
    • Other organization involved in reducing substance use

    An individual can serve as a representative in only one sector category. The coalition determines who is the best fit for each sector. Sector representatives should represent the “movers and shakers” of a community such as community volunteers that are engaging on a regular basis with coalitions to help drive impactful work. In the Coalition Involvement Agreement (CIA), applicants will list the sector being represented, the individual’s name, and a rationale for why they were identified to represent a specific sector.

  2. Can we focus on preventing more than one type of substance use?
    Yes, The DFC Program requires applicants to address at least two substances but may address more than two. These substances include but are not limited to narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco.
  3. What are the staffing requirements?
    At minimum, the following key personnel are required:
    • Authorized Organization Representative (AOR): The AOR is the representative of the applicant/recipient organization with authority to act on the organization’s behalf in matters related to the award and administration of grants. In signing a grant application, this individual agrees that the organization will assume the obligations imposed by applicable federal statutes and regulations and other terms and conditions of the award, including any assurances if a grant is awarded. These responsibilities include overseeing the financial aspects of the grant and the performance of the grant-supported project or activities as specified in the approved application. This person must be an employee of the recipient organization.
    • Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI): The PD/PI is the person who provides programmatic oversight of the grant and is accountable to officials of the recipient organization. The PD/PI must be an employee of the recipient organization and cannot be the same person as the AOR.
    • Project Coordinator: The Project Coordinator manages the work of the coalition and program activities, including training, coalition communication, data collection, and information dissemination. The PD/PI and the Project Coordinator can be the same person.
  4. How many substances are we required to address?
    • For the DFC program, applicants must plan to address at least two substances. Substances may include but are not limited to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and inhalants. Please note that vaping is not a substance but a delivery method.
  5. How can I address health disparities/health equity in my application?
    • Your organization has insight into your community’s unique culture and context and should address health disparities based on the needs of your community. We encourage you to reference how the CDC defines the topics of health equity and disparities here: What is Health Equity? | Health Equity | CDC
  1. What amount of funding is available for this application cycle?
    The applicant must not request more than $125,000 in federal funds per year.
  2. What is considered in-kind support that can be used as matching funds?
    Some forms of in-kind support can be used to count towards matching funds. In-kind support includes the value of goods and services donated to the operation of the DFC coalition, including but not limited to office space, volunteer secretarial services, pro bono accounting services, and other volunteer services to support the coalition’s work. In-kind support may also include training programs sponsored by other coalitions or partners for the community.
  3. What are cost matching requirements for this grant?
    Applicants in Years 1 – 6 are required to have 100 percent match (1:1) of funds from non-federal sources.For those in Year 7 and Year 8 of the DFC program, the required percentage of matching funds increases to 125%. For Year 9 and 10 DFC recipients, the percentage of matching funds increases to 150%.
  4. Can I use opioid settlement funding to satisfy match requirements?
    Yes, per the Code of Federal Regulation, 45 CFR 75.306(b)(5), the use of opioid settlement funds specifically to satisfy the match requirement under the DFC program appears allowable as it meets the criteria of “not paid by the Federal Government under another federal award.” (Note: this use of the funds is subject to state, local, or other provisions that apply to these funds).
  5. Can matching funds be a combination of nonfederal funding and in-kind donations?  
    • Yes, they can be a combination of both. You cannot use federal funds in your match. Refer to the Cost and Sharing section of the NOFO for additional information.
  6. What is the maximum amount of the total grant funding that can cover personnel salary?
    • Personnel salaries are determined at the discretion of the coalition. The DFC Program expects your coalition to be a responsible steward of the award finances to improve outcomes in your community.
  7. What should I include in the budget narrative?  
    • Please refer to the Budget Preparation Guidelines found here: Budget Preparation Guidelines, for additional context on permissible items to include in your budget narrative.
  8. What are the rules around indirect costs?
    • If requesting indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost-rate agreement must be included. Applicants must name this file “Indirect Cost Rate” and upload it as a PDF file with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via Grants.gov. If the indirect cost rate is provisional, the agreement should be no more than 12 months of age.
    • If the coalition has not signed an indirect cost rate agreement with the Fiscal Agent, a De Minimis rate of 10% may be used.
  1. What if there is already a DFC coalition in my community?
    Two DFC-funded coalitions may serve the same zip code(s) if they have clearly described their
    plan for collaboration in their application(s) and each coalition has independently met the eligibility requirements. In the case of an overlap, a Letter of Mutual Cooperation must be provided to outline the plan to collaborate.
  2. How can I confirm if a coalition in my community or ZIP code is receiving or applying for DFC funding?
    Coalitions may use the searchable list of DFC coalitions to identify other coalitions in their community found at Drug-Free Communities Coalitions. If coalitions are working in the same community, the DFC Program statute requires a Letter of Mutual Cooperation to ensure there is no duplication of effort.
  3.  Who can I contact if I have questions about www.grants.gov functionality or need assistance submitting my application (i.e., creating an account, uploading attachments, etc.)?
    Please contact the Grants.gov Help Center at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726 for assistance with Grants.gov access and functionality.
  4. What if I still have questions that have not been addressed?
    DFC will host applicant workshops on February 3, February 8, and February 9 for Year 1 (New) and Year 6 applicants to learn more about eligibility and statutory requirements. Register now:
    • February 3: DFC Overview & Statutory Eligibility Training (Hybrid Webinar) – Register
    • February 8: DFC New Applicant Training (Year 1) Webinar – Register
    • February 9: DFC Competing Continuation Training (Year 6) Webinar – Register

    Visit the DFC funding announcement webpage for more information about this opportunity, trainings and webinars, archived materials, and frequently asked questions. Email DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov with questions.

  5. What do I do if I have questions about grants.gov or experience technical difficulties with my application?
    • If you encounter technical difficulties with the grants.gov site, please reach out to the Help Desk for support. They are available 24/7 (excluding federal holidays) by phone at 1-800-518-4726, and/or by e-mail at support@grants.gov. We encourage that you keep records of all calls and/or emails with the Help Desk for future reference.
  6. Where can I view the Informational Applicant Webinar recordings?
  7. Who do I contact if I want to serve as a grant reviewer? 
    • Please contact DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov indicating your interest and attach your resume to your email. The Recruitment Team will reach back out with further details.
Access the latest guideline, data, and resources