Lexington’s $3 Million Opioid-Grant Application Deadline Is Friday

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a physical presence in Fayette County have until 2 p.m. Eastern Friday, Aug. 7, to apply for a share of approximately $3 million in Lexington opioid-settlement funding.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is accepting proposals through its Opioid Abatement Community-Based Initiatives Grant Program. Applications must be submitted through the city’s IonWave procurement system, and the city says no late applications will be accepted.

Who can apply

The opportunity is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a physical presence in Fayette County. It is an organizational grant program, not a process for individuals to apply directly for assistance.

Proposed work may address opioid use disorder, substance-use disorder, overdose prevention, behavioral health, treatment, recovery and long-term community stabilization. The city says it is seeking evidence-based, evidence-informed and innovative initiatives.

Two grant tracks

Applicants can seek funding through one of two tracks:

• Micro grants: Up to $75,000 for one-year projects, with a grant period from Dec. 1, 2026, through Dec. 30, 2027.
• Macro grants: $75,001 to $250,000 for two-year projects, with a grant period from Dec. 1, 2026, through Dec. 30, 2028.

The approximately $3 million is available grant funding for this application opportunity. It does not represent awards already made, and eligibility does not guarantee that an applicant will receive funding.

How to submit

Organizations must be registered in Lexington’s IonWave procurement system to access and complete the request for proposals. The application deadline is 2 p.m. Eastern on Friday, Aug. 7. Proposals submitted after that time will not be accepted.

The city held a technical-assistance and question-and-answer webinar July 21. Written questions about the RFP were due through the procurement portal by 2 p.m. July 31. Those applicant-support deadlines have passed.

Why the money is being watched

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved $3 million for a tiered community grant program using opioid-abatement funds in April.

The application opportunity comes amid broader scrutiny of local opioid-settlement spending. WKYT reported in July that a Kentucky Center for Economic Policy review found 90% of opioid-settlement money distributed to Kentucky cities and counties went unspent in 2025. The report also identified $1.7 million in spending it described as problematic.

For eligible Lexington nonprofits, the immediate next step is to complete the application in IonWave before 2 p.m. Eastern Friday, Aug. 7. No late applications will be accepted.

Sources

• Lexington’s Opioid Abatement Community-Based Initiatives Grant Program
• Kentucky opioid settlement funds largely unspent, report finds