Q&A - Klickitat Opioid Settlement Funds

Question 1:

If the Chinook Indian Nation were to identify a need to serve tribal members in Klickitat County with these funds, would that be eligible as long as they’re serving Klickitat County residents?

Answer:
Yes. As long as the funds are being used to serve Klickitat County residents, the organization or entity is eligible. They do not currently need to be serving Klickitat County residents, but they must describe how they will plan to do so.

Question 2:

Could you walk through the budget template?

Answer:
The first page is where you enter salaries and wages for the positions being funded. You only include the portion of the position funded by the RFP, not other grants. Enter title, FTE, hourly wage, and benefits/taxes. Totals auto-calculate.
On the second page, fill out direct program expenses (e.g., office supplies, program costs), indirect expenses (10% unless you have a federally negotiated rate), and committed funding from other sources. Include short descriptions for each line item (e.g., “laptops for new staff”).

Question 3:

The budget narrative section in the RFP template asks for a “description of the budget, including justification or rationale for costs.” How is this different from the spreadsheet description?

Answer:
They are similar. You can use the same information for both. The spreadsheet provides a summary of costs, while the narrative section allows more detail if desired. You can copy and paste between the two to avoid duplication.

Question 4:

The RFP lists staffing as an allowable use of funds, but since it’s only a one-year grant, hiring new staff may not be feasible. Can organizations apply for staffing over two to three years?

Answer:
Unfortunately not. Funds must be spent within the one-year contract period (January–December 2026). Future funding opportunities are anticipated through ongoing settlements, but this RFP only covers one year.

Question 5:

If an organization serves both Klickitat and Skamania Counties, can they include both in one proposal?

Answer:
No. Funds must be used within Klickitat County. However, organizations can apply separately in each county’s process. Skamania County has its own application process listed on its Health Department website.

Question 6:

How should applicants structure their goals, activities, and outcomes in the application?

Answer:
List goals numerically (1, 2, 3), and then connect them to activities (1a, 1b, 1c) and outcomes. This keeps the logic clear. There’s a 2,000-character limit per section, so keep responses concise. At minimum, include one activity and one outcome per goal.

Question 7:

What if an applicant exceeds the character limit?

Answer:
The online form and PDF won’t allow text beyond 2,000 characters. We ask that you keep your responses within the 2,000 character limit. If you have additional questions, please email grants@southwestach.org.

Question 8:

Can applicants include tables linking goals, activities, and outcomes?

Answer:
Not within the online form. That linkage will be formalized later during contracting. Applicants can describe these connections narratively in the form instead.

Question 9:

How are proposals scored?

Answer:
Applications are scored on:

• Proposal description: 80%

• Budget narrative: 20%

• Priority considerations: added points (non-weighted) for alignment with Klickitat County priorities, serving Native and Tribal communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and/or seniors, align with Klickitat County Opioid Fund priorities, and demonstrate how their proposal will continue after the funding ends
  A scoring matrix is included in Exhibit A of the RFP.

Question 10:

Can feedback be provided on funding priorities for future rounds?

Answer:
Yes. There’s a feedback form on the SWACH Opioid Settlement Funds webpage where community members and partners can suggest additional priorities for future funding cycles.

Question 11:

Can we apply for funding to multiple projects that could use opioid funds? How would we do that?

Answer:
Yes. You can apply for multiple projects that qualify for opioid funding. Because of the character limit on the application, you may need to submit separate applications for each project, though it can be under one contract holder. If you're able to submit them all within the character limit then you can do that, but if not, you'll want to separate them.