National Council on Problem Gambling Announces First Round of Funding for Problem Gambling Prevention Programs

Washington, DC – The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is pleased to announce the first round of Agility Grant awardees for fiscal year 2022, with four awards totaling $137,500. This strategic initiative, funded by the National Football League Foundation with additional support from FanDuel, will provide funding to nonprofit organizations for problem gambling prevention programs. Agility Grants seek to support problem gambling prevention program expansion or new program development across the United States.  

“NCPG is proud to support each Agility Grant awardee as they work within their communities to bring about positive social change. We recognize the creativity and dedication of every applicant,” said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director. “We look forward to the opportunity to bring even more support to the problem gambling prevention field later this year with our second grant application cycle.” 

Organizations were awarded grants in two different program areas prioritizing the core principles of innovation, collaboration and amplification. Successful applications aligned closely with NCPG’s vision of improving health and wellness by reducing the personal, social and economic costs of problem gambling. 

Prevention Innovation 

The Prevention Innovation grantees seek to foster and accelerate the development, deployment, research, and evaluation of problem gambling prevention programs and curricula to address key at-risk and priority populations. These groups include, but are not limited to, high school and college athletes; marginalized communities, especially communities of color; and middle school students.  

Agility Grants for Prevention Innovation from this round of funding include: 

Towson University Foundation in Baltimore, MD will support a new problem gambling prevention program from Towson University’s ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse) Prevention Center, ‘Tigers Play Responsibly.’ The program will include prevention workshops and social norming campaigns centered around problem gambling education, harm reduction and related risks. The program will serve over 20,000 Towson University students through an integrated, campus-wide approach including student leadership training, events at the university’s welcome weekend, and print and digital marketing campaigns across campus. 

The Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming will expand their ‘I Am Native Dedicated to Natives’ (IAMNDN) Youth Project. The IAMDND Youth Project is a community-based summer camp and school-based problem gambling prevention program that will serve 200 young people in Caddo County, Oklahoma, where six federally recognized tribal nations have headquarters. IAMNDN Youth Project offers a comprehensive approach to prevent problem gambling within Native communities. This program includes budget training from the Sudden Money Institute, participation in the Stacked Deck problem gambling prevention curriculum and cultural arts activities. The IAMNDN Youth Project will weave in critical cultural considerations for Native participants including culturally relevant sports, prayer, and mentorship. 

Amplification 

The Amplification grantees seek to increase community awareness, response and support on problem gambling through the identification and elevation of new leaders, new partnerships and new voices within the community, prioritizing youth as well as leaders of color. 

Agility Grants for Amplification from this round of funding include: 

Nicasa, a behavioral health nonprofit near Chicago serving Lake County, Illinois, will expand their Teen Problem Gambling Group. This program is spearheaded by teenage volunteers to produce problem gambling prevention education programs for youth by youth. The group meets throughout the year to review educational materials and design activities including awareness videos, health quizzes and resource fairs. This grant funding will expand the program to reach 300 new youth participants, including student athletes and communities of color. 

Visión y Compromiso (VyC), a California based nonprofit, will expand its ‘No Jueuges Tu Vida’ (Don’t Play Your Life) program through problem gambling educational content and training for their ‘Promoteres’ program of community leaders, who raise awareness about problem gambling within the Latinx community in California. Additionally, VyC will deliver virtual trainings for 30 community-based organizations in the five regions of California they serve and will provide culturally and linguistically specific resources to over 3,000 California residents.  

The Spring 2022 Agility Grant awards serve as the inaugural round of prevention grant funding from the National Council on Problem Gambling. The program will award more than $1 million dollars over three years to help nonprofit organizations across the country develop and expand problem gambling prevention programming. Grants will be awarded through two funding cycles each year. NCPG anticipates the round two Agility Grant application will become available in late Summer / early Fall 2022. 

About the National Council on Problem Gambling 
 
The National Council on Problem Gambling is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington DC, NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers hope and help without stigma or shame. Call or text 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2022

CONTACT:
Cait Huble
CaitH@ncpgambling.org
202-470-1815