Genesee County committee drafts $25,000 "mini grant" stream for grassroots groups

The Genesee County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee on Sept. 11 reviewed a draft RFP that would create a separate mini-grant pathway for awards of $25,000 or less intended to reach smaller, grassroots organizations.

Elizabeth Jordan, who led the work-group presentation, described the mini grant as "grants that might be, say, under $25,000," and said the application is pared down compared with the larger-grant form to reduce administrative burden. Committee members debated whether to set a hard organizational annual-budget cutoff (draft language used $250,000) or to use descriptive language inviting smaller and newer organizations to apply. Jordan summarized a likely path forward: "we'll strike the language about annual budget size must be under 250,000 and insert the language about smaller and newer organizations are welcome to apply," leaving eligibility guidance rather than a strict numeric gate.

Members discussed practical examples (local programs, church-run initiatives, and program-level projects nested inside larger organizations) and whether the mini-grant application should allow programs inside larger entities to apply. Dr. Mikayla Corsi and others pressed for clarity on who is targeted; the group preferred focusing the application on project scale and reporting expectations rather than rigid budget thresholds. Cowick said purchasing will incorporate the agreed language into the final RFP and circulate updated drafts before the next meeting.