Entry Points: Philanthropy’s Response to the Substance Use Disorder Crisis

Program Description

Community members dealing with substance abuse disorders and mental health challenges are increasingly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This webinar, offered in partnership with four other Regional Association peers, will offer strategies for grantmakers interested in addressing substance use disorders and mental health. Presenters will identify areas of greatest need for advocacy and support for vulnerable populations dealing with substance use disorders during this time.

Hear about lessons learned, best practices and the ways that philanthropy can play a pivotal role in responding to the pandemic’s short-and long-term impacts on those with substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Past experience shows that, during times of stress and uncertainty, individuals struggling with substance use disorders are more susceptible to coping with hardship by increasing substance usage and are at higher risk of death by overdoses or suicide; experts anticipate that the demand for services will increase in coming months.

Webinar participants will:

Hear how funders have partnered with local organizations to make an impact on the lives of individuals and communities in other states
Learn how state and local-level advocacy and relationship building strategies have been crucial in addressing substance use disorder and mental health
Take away ideas and strategies that can be applied to your work

Featured Speakers

Mary Pounder, Program Director of the Comer Family Foundation (Illinois)
Joan Englund, Executive Director of the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition (Ohio)

Registration

This program is supported by special project funding. Attendance is only open to Gateway Center for Giving grantmaking members and other Partner Regional Association Members.

Partnership

This webinar is co-sponsored by a coalition of Philanthropy Serving Organizations (PSOs), including Philanthropy West Virginia, Philanthropy Ohio, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Gateway Center for Giving and Council of Michigan Foundations. A special thank you to these organizations and their staff for their partnership.