The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced this week the launch of the initial round of Community Reinvestment Program grants. The grants will provide up to $5 million in funding to nonprofit organizations that support young people, ages 0-24 in underserved and under-resourced communities across New York. The program, funded through taxes collected from legal adult-use cannabis sales, aims to address a wide range of community needs in three priority areas: mental health, workforce development, and housing. This initiative is part of the state’s commitment to implement the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) by reinvesting in communities disproportionately affected by New York’s cannabis prohibition practices.
The Community Reinvestment Program aims to award funding to community-based organizations to provide critical support to young people in underserved areas. These grants will address a wide range of local needs, supporting organizations that focus on comprehensive solutions to empower their communities.
By directing a significant portion of cannabis tax revenue back to communities historically harmed by cannabis criminalization, New York is intentionally and unequivocally underscoring the importance of direct support and restorative justice after decades of prohibition.
“Having previously served youth harmed by the legacy of the War on Drugs and worked with communities that have been historically and systemically underserved, the Community Reinvestment Program is a thrilling opportunity”, said Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. “New York is putting cannabis tax dollars to work for the next generation; this $5 million is the first of many down payments on the promise of what the future holds.”
In this first 2024 grant cycle, eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that offer services for youth in designated areas of New York State. The grants, each totaling $100,000, are designed to support activities that focus on mental health, workforce development, or housing for young people. Organizations do not need to be affiliated with cannabis-related activities to qualify and are encouraged to apply. The priorities of the Community Reinvestment Program are determined by the Cannabis Advisory Board in alignment with its mandate in the MRTA. Future priorities of the fund are subject to change.
Information on how to apply and a link to the Request for Applications (RFA) is available on the OCM Community Reinvestment Program website. Applications will be submitted through OCM’s eGrants system. Interested nonprofits should start the application process by registering in OCM eGrants. Applicants that are not prequalified in the Statewide Financial System will be supported through that process after registering in OCM eGrants.
Organizations will be selected based on their ability to implement successful projects aligned with the goals of the Community Reinvestment Program. To ensure equitable distribution of funds, the 2024 grant cycle will prioritize counties identified as high need for youth services and those historically under-resourced and overpoliced, with the intent to make at least one award in each Empire State Development (ESD) Region.
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