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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Funding Sources

One strategy for sustaining rural substance use disorder (SUD) programs is to identify funding sources. For current funding opportunities for SUD programs, see Rural Funding & Opportunities by Topic in the Rural Health Information Hub Online Library. For an overview of entities that fund rural health programs, see Funders of Rural Programs in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

Examples of Funding from the Federal Government

Examples of Funding from State, County, and Local Governments

  • States governments commonly include funding for SUD treatment and funding in their annual budgets. For example, the state of New York includes funding for MAT, residential programs, and public awareness campaigns in its executive budget. State funding for SUD treatment and recovery is often directed toward child protective services, correctional systems, and drug courts.
  • County governments and agencies may also offer diverse funding opportunities to rural communities. The National Association of Counties prepared a report that describes how counties in Appalachia are helping to address and fund programs to address the opioid epidemic.
  • Some rural communities work with local law enforcement agencies to secure funding for services. For example, rural naloxone expansion programs have worked with law enforcement to develop processes for allocating money from drug seizures to support naloxone distribution.

Examples of Funding from Philanthropies:

  • National foundations. National foundations and philanthropies can be a key source of SUD prevention and treatment funding for rural communities. For example, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs in rural communities. The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are funding the Community Opioid Response and Evaluation (CORE) project to help communities evaluate innovative programs to treat opioid use disorder.
  • Regional or local foundations. Rural SUD programs may be eligible for funding from regional, state, or local foundations. For example, the Colorado Health Foundation focuses on promoting adult recovery services. The North Carolina Community Foundation provides funding for a multi-year residential SUD treatment program that serves rural communities in North Carolina.
  • Pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies often provide philanthropic support for substance use issues, often through an associated foundation or corporate philanthropy effort. For example, the Gilead COMPASS (COMmitment to Partnership in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Southern States) Initiative is funding programs to reduce HIV disparities in the south, including interventions that focus on well-being, mental health, substance use and trauma-informed care. Rural naloxone expansion programs have also partnered with pharmaceutical companies to provide free or reduced naloxone.

Resources to Learn More

Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment: Chapter 6 - Financing and Organizational Issues
Document
This chapter provides information on federal, state, and local sources of funding for substance abuse treatment programs.
Organization(s): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Date: 10/2015

State Strategies to Meet the Needs of Young Children and Families Affected by the Opioid Crisis
Document
Discusses ways to improve access, expand coverage of services, implement care delivery models, and maximize resources to meet the needs of children and families affected by opioid use disorder.
Author(s): Normile, B., Hanlon, C., & Eichner, H.
Organization(s): National Academy for State Health Policy
Date: 9/2018