This post was written by Dave Kinchen, Office of Violence Prevention

The Office of Violence Prevention has launched a call for applications for the third round of Targeted Community Investment Grant applications, which awards microgrants to residents and grassroots organizations that offer needed prevention services and support in communities impacted by gun violence. 

The program is an integral part of the Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities, the Kenney Administration’s comprehensive action plan to address gun violence in neighborhoods across the city. The grants, which range from $500 to $20,000, specifically support new, and/or existing programs that help prevent or reduce gun violence, especially among youth and young adults most at risk of violence. 

Applications for this new cycle of funding are being accepted today through Friday, December 4, 2020. Prospective grantees must complete this application, and include: 

• A description of the program or activity to be funded.
• An explanation of how it will help prevent gun violence in their community.
• A budget that clearly shows how the funds will be used.
• Details of how the success of the project will be measured.

“A key principal of the Roadmap is to improve the engagement of neighborhood residents in their partnership with the City as we work to drive down violence. We simply cannot do this work without community involvement. These microgrants are one big example of how the Administration is committed to investing in grassroots programs and initiatives that boost support for overall health and social wellness.” – Vanessa Garrett Harley, First Deputy Managing Director for the City of Philadelphia.

The Targeted Community Investment Grants are managed by the Office of Violence Prevention and administered by the Urban Affairs Coalition. A special emphasis will be placed on funding for programs that can meet the educational or employment needs of young men between the ages of 16 to 34. Preference will also be given to organizations that show a willingness to help the most at risk young men living in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods that experience the highest levels of gun violence. 

“This grant program carries out promises made in the Roadmap, that the City is willing to not only work with, but to invest in the people and local organizations focused on preventing and reducing gun violence in our communities. With this third round of funding, we hope to expand on that support so that more efforts at the grassroots level are involved in this critical work.” – Theron Pride, Senior Director of Violence Prevention Strategies and Programs.

What you need to know about the application

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.

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. Neighborhood and cultural organizations, local businesses, youth-serving organizations, 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 serve.

The Targeted Community Investment Grant Program has issued close to $2 million in total funding to nearly 100 grassroots community organizations since its inception in April of 2019.

What else we’re doing to combat violence

The Targeted Community Investment Grant Program is one of many tools in the toolkit we call the Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities, an action plan released in January 2019 to address gun violence in neighborhoods across the city.

Other key programs that help out in this work can be found in this blog published in October, detailing 10 things the city is doing right now to combat gun violence. One of those efforts includes the Group Violence Intervention strategy or GVI, launched this past August. GVI involves partnering with the community and law enforcement to stop the shooting. 

Finally, because ending the public health crisis of gun violence requires everyone working in partnership, the Office of Violence Prevention invites you to read our comprehensive report out to the public, originally shared with members of Philadelphia City Council in August.