Impact Areas
RIZE’s multifaceted strategy is designed to address the complexity and enormity of the crisis and will only be effective if it is based on the evolving realities on the ground. We listen to and learn from each other, monitor the success of our collaborations, and hold each other accountable toward a common vision of “zero stigma. zero deaths.” Our work is iterative, designed to both support and expand upon our areas of focus in a manner that maximizes impact.
We organize our work into three focus areas – investing in community, generating knowledge, and convening for action. The interconnectedness of this work has also produced cross-cutting strategies that respond to all three focus areas.
Investing in Community
We support comprehensive, compassionate, and sustainable approaches across the care continuum. Learn more about our grant programs below.
Generating Knowledge
We fund and promote independent research and evaluations of programmatic or policy interventions to increase visibility, expand the evidence base, and inform policy. Review our publications here.
Convening for Action
We build stronger networks by bringing together a diversity of organizations and individuals dedicated to ending the overdose crisis. Stronger networks create space for finding common ground and creating unexpected and novel approaches. View our past and upcoming events here.
Current Programs
Our key grantmaking programs demonstrate how we are disrupting the status quo by selecting, supporting, and scaling the most effective and innovative programs available today and putting them to work saving lives.
Filter Programs:
Comprehensive Place-based Response to the Opioid Crisis
Access & Equity, Workforce
To provide greater coordination and improved service delivery at the municipal level for those suffering with substance use disorder.
- Grant Total Award: $310,500
- Grantees: Chelsea – Community Action Programs Inter-City, Everett Fire Department, Malden Public Health Department, Medford Health Department, Office of Prevention and Outreach; Metropolitan Area Planning Council
HaRT Continuing Education Units
Harm Reduction, Workforce
- Grant Total Award: $37,775
- Grantees: National Harm Reduction Coalition and the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts
HaRT Scholars Program
Harm Reduction, Workforce
To create a specialized internship program – the first of its kind in the country – that will develop a pipeline of social workers who are trained in harm reduction.
- Grant Total Award: $812,419
- Grantees: Bridgewater State University: Boston College; Simmons University;
Evaluator: Northeastern University’s Public Evaluation Lab
Identifying Opportunities to Innovate and Promote Best Practices in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment within Pharmacies
Harm Reduction, Workforce
To survey pharmacists to better understand current attitudes, knowledge and practices in serving people with OUD. Findings to inform innovative investments in pharmacies and pharmacists as a key intervention point in the OUD care continuum.
- Grant Total Award: $175,000.00
- Grantee: Commonwealth Medicine University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Innovations in Anti-Racism to Address the Opioid Crisis
Access & Equity
To improve access to addiction treatment by reducing the stigma and structural barriers faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
- Grant Total Award: $967,200
- Grantees: Boston Public Health Commission; Casa Esperanza; Codman Square Health Center; Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts; Evaluator: Cambridge Health Alliance, Health Equity Lab
Insights and Solutions – Investigator Led Research
Access & Equity
To initiate research and data analysis to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder and contribute to developing the evidence base
- Grant Total Award: $468,265
- Grantees: Boston Public Health Commission/Institute for Community Health; Brandeis University, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Together in Recovery
Access & Equity
To foster an accessible, integrated treatment and recovery network in Massachusetts that champions evidence-based approaches, supports multiple pathways to recovery, and puts people in charge of their treatment choices.
- Total Award: $320,322
- Vendor: C4 Innovations
Together We RIZE Grant Program
Access & Equity, Harm Reduction, Workforce
To support bold, community-driven projects and initiatives that have the potential to bend the curve of overdose crisis. Grant Total Award: $598,225
- Grantees – Berkshire Harm Reduction, Boston Medical Center – Grayken Center for Addiction, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, North Suffolk Mental Health Association, St. Francis House, South Shore Health
Understanding & Bolstering the Harm Reduction Workforce in Massachusetts
Harm Reduction, Workforce
To identify, quantify, and understand the harm reduction workforce and build capacity, support practitioners/harm reductionists in their current roles, and provide educational opportunities for growth.
- Total Award: $70,000.00
- Grantee: Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Enabling Health: Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Massachusetts
Access & Equity, Harm Reduction
To expand existing harm reduction services and build an infrastructure to offer clinical addiction services within non-clinical settings.
- Grant Amount: $1,808,555.25
- Grantees: AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center; HRH413, Kraft Center for Community Health; Life Connection Center
Saving Lives, Improving Health: Redesigning Opioid Use Disorder Care
Access & Equity
To expand the system of low threshold community-based, on-demand treatment and support long-term treatment to improve health and quality of life.
- Total Award: $2,796,816.00
- Grantees: Boston Health Care for the Homeless; Brockton Neighborhood Health Center; Lynn Community Health Center. Community HealthLink (Year-one only) Cambridge Health Alliance (Design only) Center for Human Development (Design only)
- Evaluator: Institute for Community Health