PHILADELPHIA – The Office of Violence Prevention today opened the second cycle of the Targeted Community Investment Grant Program to award microgrants to community-based organizations that offer high-quality violence prevention services and supports.

“We are funding grassroot organizations that do exceptional work in the community to stop the violence,” said Theron Pride, Senior Director of Violence Prevention Strategies and Programs. “The Targeted Community Investment Grant Program is an important part of our comprehensive strategy to reduce and prevent gun violence across the city.”

The first grant cycle earlier this year brought in 409 applications, from which 47 awardees were selected. The grants, which totaled more than $700,000, helped neighborhoods impacted by gun violence through various programs such as cooking classes, barber schools, safehouses, basketball leagues, community clean ups and more.

Leroy Muhammad, Co-chair of 10K Fearless Philadelphia and an original grant recipient, said, “For 10K Philly, the award of the grant was a blessing. Through it we touched many and can touch many more by servicing our people. There is a greater need to serve the community than we can see, and this grant helped us in setting the way to help more.”

The Targeted Community Investment Grant Program is a fundamental part of the Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities, a comprehensive action plan to address the root causes of gun violence in neighborhoods in the city. Grant recipients can receive funding ranging from $500 to $20,000, to support new or existing programs that focus on preventing or reducing gun violence among youth and young adults. A special emphasis will be place on funding projects in areas most impacted by gun violence.

Applications for the second cycle are being accepted beginning today through October 31, 2019. Selected programs will be implemented Spring 2020. The applicant must complete this grant application, including a description of the program or activity to be funded, along with an explanation of how it will help prevent gun violence in the community, a budget that clearly shows how the funds will be used, and details of how success of the project will be measured. Further details and a list of computer labs are contained in the application form.

The microgrants are managed by the Office of Violence Prevention and administered by the Urban Affairs Coalition. Special emphasis will be placed on funding organizations that can meet the educational or employment needs of young men at the highest risk of violence between the ages of 16 to 34.

Applicants must be residents of the City of Philadelphia or an organization with strong ties to the community and based in the city serving Philadelphia residents. Community members, cultural organizations, local businesses, youth-serving agencies, accredited educational institutions, or places of worship may apply if they are located in the neighborhood or serve the residents of the neighborhood in which they are applying for funding. If applying as an individual, you must live in the neighborhood in which you are seeking to implement programming or demonstrate strong ties to the neighborhood and residents that you plan to assist.

Programs receiving the grants must be able to:

  • Demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of all Philadelphians and how it helps reduce gun violence in a sustainable way.

  • Demonstrate potential impact on the community related to reducing the risk of gun violence.

  • Demonstrate community support for violence prevention and anti-violence activities and programs.

In concert with the Targeted Community Investment Grant Program, the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget and Five Year Plan calls for increased support for grants for community groups on the front lines of neighborhood violence as part of $31.5 million in additional investments to support the Roadmap. Other investments include:

Groups interested in applying for the grants can get more information at one of the following grant workshops. Keep in mind that there is limited space available and attendance will be based on a first come, first serve basis. If you have further questions or concerns, call the Office of Violence Prevention at (215) 686-0789 to schedule an appointment.

Thursday, October 3, 2019, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network (PAAN)
Lehigh Pavilion, 2700 N. 17th St., Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19132

Saturday, October 5, 2019 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Francis Myers Recreation Center
5801 Kingsessing Ave.,Philadelphia, PA 19143

Tuesday, October 8, 2019, 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Guerin Recreation Center
2201 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, PA 19145

Saturday, October 12, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Reintegrating Services (RISE)
1425 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Tuesday, October 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Feltonville Recreation Center
231 E. Wyoming Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19120

Saturday, October 19, 2019, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Logan Library
1333 Wagner Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141

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