Funding Available Through the Future Stories Fund
Posted Tuesday August 12th, 2025
Up to $55,000 in Funding Available Through the Future Stories Fund
LOWVILLE, NY – Non-profit organizations, municipalities, schools, healthcare institutions, for-profit businesses and government entities are invited to apply for up to $55,000 in funding through the Future Stories Fund, a grant program of the Lewis County Community Services Board.
The grant program supports organizations/entities of all sizes and origins in combating the effects of the opioid overdose epidemic, with funds distributed to the County from recent Opioid Settlements. Innovative programs that address either of the following priority areas will be highly considered, however other approved uses are allowed:
- Support efforts to discourage or prevent opioid use initiation and the misuse of opioids.
This category emphasizes upstream strategies that target the root causes of drug use and overdose by strengthening community institutions and providing opportunities for youth and families to engage in activities that bring purpose and meaning to their lives.
- Support people in treatment for and recovery from Opioid Use Disorder and co-occurring substance use disorder/mental health conditions.
This category includes strategies to increase access to treatment and recovery resources within the County and neighboring communities.
2024 Future Stories Fund recipients included:
- Lewis County Youth Bureau
- $10,000 for the implementation of The Screenagers Project.
- Lowville Academy and Central School
- $11,135 to purchase a universal screener for social-emotional wellness.
- Copenhagen Central School
- $20,000 to help families cover the costs of school-based mental health services and train staff in trauma-informed practices.
“Lowville Academy is deeply appreciative of the support provided by the Future Stories Fund”, said Todd J. Galarneau, EdD, Curriculum and Data Coordinator at Lowville Academy and Central School, a 2024 grant recipient. “With this funding, we successfully implemented a social-emotional screener for all K–12 students, enabling us to create individualized interventions that address students’ social-emotional needs across all three school buildings.”
Mary Compo, Director of Pupil Services at Lowville Academy and Central School, said the grant program also included professional development for teachers, focused on identifying and addressing barriers to student learning. “This funding has significantly strengthened our ability to support the social-emotional growth of every student, positively influencing not only their individual well-being, but also their families and the broader Lowville community”, she added.
The application period for the Future Stories Fund is now open, and eligible entities are encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline on September 5, 2025. For more information about the Future Stories Fund, including program objectives, eligibility criteria, program examples and application guidelines, please visit https://lewiscountyny.gov/departments/community-services-mental-health/future-stories-fund/.
Links Referenced