The National Council on Problem Gambling Thursday awarded $320,000 in Agility Grant funding to eight organizations working to strengthen problem gambling prevention efforts. The announcement marks the sixth funding round since the program was launched in January 2022, with $1 million in prevention programming since then.
“Investing in community-level initiatives is essential for effective problem gambling prevention, and we are proud to support these organizations as they work to implement comprehensive solutions,” said NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte in a statement.
A release stated that the Agility Grants program is “the first national initiative to fund problem gambling prevention, empowering organizations to pioneer new approaches, build partnerships, and create tailored solutions for local communities.” By supporting innovative programs, the NCPG hopes to address challenges and expand problem gambling prevention efforts across the U.S.
The following organizations will receive Agility Grant funding in Fall 2024:
- CADCA will develop a problem gambling prevention toolkit that includes evidence-based practices, resources, and strategies for local grassroots groups, known as community coalitions, in effective community-level problem-solving strategies; teach how to assess problem gambling as a local community health issue; and develop comprehensive plans to address it.
- East Carolina University will launch a public awareness initiative for students at its Greenville, North Carolina campus to raise awareness of problem gambling’s impact on mental and financial health.
- Envision Partnerships’ “Let’s Talk About Problem Gambling” project will develop and implement a problem gambling education curriculum for youth athletes, coaches, and parents in Butler County, Ohio, using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
- The Neighborhood Youth Academy’s “Empowering Youth Athletes” program will adapt the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling’s Youth Toolkit to deliver problem gambling prevention resources designed for youth athletes of color across Minnesota.
- The Oregon Council on Problem Gambling will launch a statewide education initiative to address problem gambling by using train-the-trainer workshops to educate local community leaders on identifying problem gambling and offering resources to those affected.
- In partnership with the JCK Foundation, Student Assistance Services will launch “Wellness Wins,” a program designed to prevent underage gambling and raise awareness about its impact on mental health in over 50 schools across Westchester County, New York.
- The University at Albany’s Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research will launch “Mobilizing Campus Change,” an initiative that seeks to reduce problem gambling, substance use, and suicide risk among University of Albany undergraduates. A Peer Advisory Board will be created to deal with culturally relevant health communications by employing trained peers to engage students at higher risk of developing a gambling problem.
- The University of Michigan will launch a collaborative problem gambling education initiative, including a campus-wide educational print and digital campaign, the integration of gambling prevention resources into campus wellness sites, and workshops for individuals at a high risk of developing a gambling problem.
The NCPG Agility Grants Program is made possible through key partners’ support, including a multi-year, multimillion-dollar commitment from the NFL via the NFL Foundation.
“As legalized sports gambling grows across the country, so too does the need for community-driven solutions to prevent problem gambling,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “We are proud to continue supporting the National Council on Problem Gambling and the innovative prevention strategies being developed by these grant recipients through our ongoing partnership.”
Additional funding was supplied by PlayTech and FanDuel.
Agility Grants are awarded in two funding rounds each year. The Spring 2025 funding round will be open for applications from January 15 to February 26, 2025, with awards announced in May 2025.
More information about Agility Grants can be found at NCPGambling.org/agility.
