ANCHOR
Faith & Behavioral Health Initiative
Communities of Faith Mini Grant Program
Awareness · Community · Healing · Outreach · Recovery
Southeast Region | 2026A program of the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (SATTC)
Grant Award: Up to $2,500
Application Deadline: May 16, 2026
Project Completion: Sept 30, 2026
Eligible States: AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, MS, KY, & TN
Section 1: Program Overview
About SATTC and the ANCHOR Initiative
The Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (SATTC) is a federally funded resource center dedicated to advancing the quality of substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support services across the Southeast United States.
As part of our commitment to reaching every corner of the communities we serve, SATTC has launched the first ANCHOR mini-grant. This mini grant is a part of
SATTC's Faith & Behavioral Health Initiative.ANCHOR is built on a simple but powerful belief: faith communities are among the most trusted institutions in American life, and they are uniquely positioned to break the stigma surrounding substance use, mental health, and recovery. Through ANCHOR, SATTC is partnering with congregations and faith organizations across 8 Southeast states to train leaders, empower communities, connect individuals and families to healing and care, and provide linkages to community resources.The Communities of Faith Mini Grant Program is Phase 1 of ANCHOR, the entry point through which SATTC is building authentic, lasting relationships with faith communities across the region. Grantees are not simply recipients of funding. They are founding partners in a growing regional network, and their work will directly shape a national model for faith-based behavioral health engagement.
COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT
You are Joining Something Larger:
Every congregation funded through this program becomes part of the ANCHOR network a growing community of faith leaders, partners, families, and organizations across the Southeast who are committed to breaking stigma, promoting wellness, and connecting people to care. SATTC will be a sustained partner, not just a funder.
Eligible Geography
Applications are open to communities of faith and non-profit faith-based organizations operating in the following states:
Georgia · Tennessee · Kentucky · Florida · North Carolina · South Carolina · Mississippi · Alabama
Section 2: Applicant Eligibility Criteria
Who May Apply:
Mini grants are open to faith-based entities that meet all the following criteria:
1. A registered congregation, church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or faith-based
nonprofit organization.
2. Located in and serving communities within the eligible 8-state Southeast region.
3. In good organizational standing with appropriate leadership authorization (e.g., signed letter from senior pastor, imam, rabbi, elder board, or executive director)
4. Committed to completing all project activities by September 30, 2026.
5. Able to designate a Project Lead who will serve as primary point of contact
and ensure accountability.
6. Willing to share project learnings, evaluation and a brief final report upon completion.
7. Open to participating in SATTC's ANCHOR network and contributing to regional learning.
Applicant Disqualifiers:
An application will be deemed ineligible if the applicant:
Is a government entity or public school
Submits an incomplete application after the deadline has passed
Proposes activities that are primarily religious instruction without a distinct behavioral health component.
Allowable Denominations & Faith Traditions:
The program is open to all denominations and faith traditions, including but not limited to:Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostal, COGIC, AME, Buddhist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Evangelical, Non-denominational Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Hispanic Evangelical, and other faith traditions.No denomination will be given preference in the review process.
Multi-faith applicants and interfaith coalitions are especially encouraged to apply.
Section 3: Project Criteria
What We Fund:
Projects must directly advance one or more of the following focus areas:
• Substance use awareness campaigns (alcohol, opioids, illicit drugs, prescription drug misuse).• Behavioral health education and mental wellness promotion within the congregation or surrounding community.• Recovery support activities: such as community recovery celebrations, testimonial series, peer support connections, or recovery resource fairs.• Faith-based stigma reduction programming ( workshops, community dialogues).• Family and youth engagement around substance use prevention and behavioral health treatment and resources.• Connection to local treatment resources, hotlines, and community health services.• Interfaith or cross-community collaboration that models unity around healing, wellness and recovery.
Innovation Requirement:
Each project must demonstrate an innovative approach meaning it goes beyond standard health fairs or bulletin inserts. Reviewers will look for creative, culturally resonant methods that leverage the unique strengths of the faith community.
This could include theater or spoken word, community art installations, recovery testimonial video series, mobile outreach, or interfaith coalitions, among others.
Project Review & Scoring:
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a multi-person review committee using the following scoring rubric. Applications scoring 75 points or above will be considered for funding, subject to available funds.
Criterion Description Points:
Innovation & Creativity Degree:
The idea is novel, community-centered, and replicable as a model for other faith communities. Up to 25 pointsCommunity Impact:
Expected reach and measurable impact on awareness, stigma reduction, and recovery support. Up to 25 pointsFeasibility:
Realistic plan, timeline, and budget aligned with project scope.
Up to 20 pointsOrganizational Capacity: Demonstrated ability to implement the proposed project. Up to 15 points.Alignment with ANCHOR Goals Clear connection to substance use awareness, recovery messaging, and the ANCHOR initiative mission. Up to 15 points.TOTAL 100
What makes a strong project?
The strongest applications are those that use the congregation's unique voice, culture, and trust to reach individuals who might not otherwise engage with clinics or community mental health, and substance use disorder treatment services and resources.It is important that faith-based communities think not only about what they can do independently, but also about how to effectively build their projects in collaboration with healthcare organizations.
Budget Parameters:
Awards are up to $2,500 per applicant
• Funds may be used for: supplies, materials, venue costs, community event expenses, printed collateral, speaker honoraria, and direct program costs.• Funds may NOT be used for: staff salaries, capital improvements, mortgage/rent, alcohol purchases, food, partisan political activity, or activities outside the project period.• A simple line-item budget must be submitted with the application.