2027-2028 SEA Fund Request for Proposals

The city of Boulder Substance Education and Awareness Fund (SEA Fund) began in 2016 to utilize a portion of the city’s recreational marijuana sales tax (BRC 3-14-1) to support community programs for youth substance use prevention. The tax legislative intent states that it in part support, ‘comprehensive substance abuse programs including, without limitation, prevention, treatment, education, responsible use, intervention, and monitoring, with an emphasis on youth…”. In 2019 the city determined that a portion of its Electronic Smoking Device sales tax (BRC 6-4.5-1) would also be used to support substance prevention programs through the SEA Fund.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks applications from qualified entities to address the SEA Fund outcomes; prevent and reduce youth misuse of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine or other drugs and shift in community perceptions of risk associated with substance misuse, including the impact of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine or other drugs on youth. The RFP is for program services for City of Boulder residents performed from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, with the opportunity for renewal for a second year of funding January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2028.

The SEA Fund strategy is rooted in prevention science, youth engagement and leadership, and collaboration among diverse agencies and programs to reduce substance misuse. Funding is provided to selected programs on a two-year cycle to support program activities that align with the SEA Fund outcomes and indicators.

Through the SEA Fund, the city envisions that the Boulder is a place where youth and community members are equipped with the knowledge, support, and resources they need to strengthen wellbeing and avoid substance related harm. The city will work collaboratively with grantees to strengthen the local prevention system through outreach, coordination, collaboration, and evaluation of progress toward these strategic outcomes:

• Prevent and reduce youth misuse of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine or other drugs.
• Shift in community perceptions of risk associated with substance misuse, including the impact of alcohol, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine or other drugs on youth.

To measure the community impact of SEA Fund programs, the city will work with grantees to report on outcome indicators such as:

• Reduction in current substance use
• Delayed initiation of substance use
• Increased number of youth who report having a trusted adult
• Increased perception of risk from substance use
• Decreased perception ease of access of substances

The SEA Fund strategy reflects prevention and health equity principles and practices. In a public health context, prevention is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as activities that help people develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to make healthy choices or change harmful behaviors. Health equity is defined by the city of Boulder as the absence of systematic health disparities based on socio-economic factors, and the ability of all residents to reach their full health potential, regardless of their life circumstances. Taken together, the SEA Fund seeks to support programs that educate, engage, and empower individuals and families, and address systemic root causes of health disparities that may be linked to substance misuse.

The SEA Fund supports programs that are research informed and demonstrate positive results, while allowing flexibility for services to be adapted to meet the unique needs of the City of Boulder. In addition, the SEA Fund has processes in place to build support for emerging, innovative approaches in prevention that have yet to be fully evaluated.

Through the SEA Fund, the city will fund programs rather than entire organizations, institutions, or agencies. Eligible programs may be implemented in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or public or private educational institutions (i.e., preK-12 school or college/university). Businesses and for-profit agencies should not apply.

The proposed program must serve primarily City of Boulder residents who are not CU-Boulder students. Awards will be between $10,000 and $100,000 per year, averaging $50,000 per award. Proposals that do not meet the minimum request will not be considered for funding.

Eligible programmatic expenses include: program-specific staff pay and benefits; program materials and supplies; programmatic administrative support; overhead directly related to the program; and subcontracts and/or consultation services that are necessary to carry out the program.

Proposals will be evaluated based on whether the proposed program demonstrates:

• meaningful youth and community engagement.
• alignment with the SEA Fund strategic goals, prevention strategies and health equity approaches;
• ability for organizational capacity to successfully deliver their proposed program, financial stability, leadership continuity and diversity, effective program management, and ability to manage data collection and reporting.
• how approach addresses a community need
• commitment to and ability to reach historically excluded and/or disproportionately impacted populations through intentional programming, outreach, and program delivery strategies.
• reasonableness of proposed program activities and related program budget.

• Arts or cultural programs;
• One-time presentations, events, or activities that are not directly associated with ongoing health equity programming;
• General staff training or professional development activities outside of program-related data collection or evaluation;
• Outreach and educational campaigns that do not include long-term evaluation;
• Contributions to a political campaign or committee for a candidate or ballot measure;
• Political lobbying or political advocacy campaigns to promote legislation or specific governmental policies, or express advocacy as defined in Boulder Revised Code section 13-2-2
• Programs that cannot be directly linked to SEA Fund outcomes;
• General operating funds or expenses (e.g. general salaries of staff not directly involved in providing services for the proposed program, rent/mortgage, utilities, professional development, fundraising, or other expenses) that are not directly related to carrying out the program;
• Programs that cannot demonstrate data collection and capacity for program evaluation;
• Individual applicants;
• Programs proposing the same activities that are currently supported by other City of Boulder Department of Housing and Human Services funding programs (e.g., the Health Equity Fund or Human Services Fund);
• Programs that are heavily reliant on any one funder, including the City of Boulder; or do not have a plan to request funding from other sources; or
• Activities directly related to or promote religious practices, such as religious instruction, worship, or prayer.

Proposals will be screened by city staff to determine if they meet basic eligibility criteria. Proposals that do not meet basic eligibility criteria will be eliminated from further consideration with notification sent to the proposing agency. Eligible proposals will be reviewed by City of Boulder staff and Youth Opportunities Advisory Board (YOAB) members. City staff and YOAB may request clarifying information to help the application review and funding deliberation process.

Agencies who wish to appeal the initial funding recommendation will have one week from the announcement to submit an appeal to city staff in writing; city staff will provide appeal guidelines and appeal submission instructions with the funding recommendation.

A complete, submitted proposal does not guarantee funding. The city reserves the right to decide, on a case-by-case basis, in its sole discretion, whether to accept or reject any or all proposals or portions of any or all items proposed if deemed in the best interests of the city.

Proposals must be submitted via the Foundant Regional Grant Management System on or before 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday October 30, 2026. No paper submittals will be accepted. All application sections must be completed prior to the deadline for the proposal to meet minimum eligibility.

Contract and Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will not receive city funds until they have signed a valid grant contract, including a Scope of Work. Agencies chosen to receive funds must also provide a Certificate of Insurance in alignment with city contract requirements. The Scope of Work will be developed jointly by the grantee and city staff, using information provided in the application.

Grantees are required to submit reports twice per funding year describing program information including activities, indicators and outcomes, demographic data, and a financial report. Reports will be submitted through the Foundant Grant Management System. The city may terminate the contract for the failure of the contractor to perform adequately any of its covenants. At its discretion, the city may conduct a financial audit and/or site visit of funded applicants.

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance will be provided for applicants who would like more in-depth training or guidance on how to complete the application. For assistance with the grant management system, contact Allison Bayley BayleyA@bouldercolorado.gov or Kelley Gavin GavinK@bouldercolorado.gov.

Applicants are encouraged to contact city staff for assistance as early in the application process as possible and take advantage of optional information sessions:

• Technical assistance for the Foundant Grant Management System is available online.

• Substance Education and Awareness Fund informational session will be recorded and available on the city’s Substance Education and Awareness Fund website.

• Applicants may also sign up for a virtual one-on-one meeting to address specific questions about the application process or program proposal. Click on this Microsoft Booking link to sign-up for an appointment.

Applicant Registration

All applicants must register on the Foundant website, to access the proposal application. Please note that you will need the agency’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) to create an account.

• Existing Applicants: From the Foundant login page, sign-in using your existing username and password. If you no longer remember your password, use the “Forgot your password?” link and follow the prompts. Return to the login page and proceed to login.

• New Applicants: From the Foundant login page select “Create New Account” and enter the information requested. After you have completed the registration, click “next”. You will then be asked to verify that you have received an email confirming that your account was created successfully. Please follow the instructions and choose the appropriate response. Click “continue” to be taken to your Home page/dashboard.

How to Apply

1. Log in to Foundant using the instructions above under “Applicant Registration”.
2. If you are not already on the “Apply” page, click “Apply” in the ribbon on the top-left of the page.
3. Scroll to “2027 City of Boulder Substance Use Education & Awareness (SEA) Fund” and you will see the application. Click on the “apply” button. Review the user and agency information in the box at the top of the application and make changes where necessary.