PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia today announced the third round of grants for its Targeted Community Investment Grant (TCIG)  program which provides community-based organizations funding for programs and services that prevent and reduce gun violence.

Thirty  community groups received a combined total of approximately $400,000 in funding. The programs being funded include both new and existing efforts in career skill-building, mentorship, sports leagues, and help for returning citizens to reconnect to their communities. 

This third round of TCIG  funding extends access to trauma-informed care for those touched by violence, expands grief support programming for impacted families, and provides training for young adults to become positive role models in their neighborhoods. The funding also directly supports workshops and “safe spaces” for young men who are at the highest risk of gun violence.

The grant application process, which opened on November 10th of 2020 and closed December 4th, brought in more than 220 applications, from which 30 awardees were chosen. The individual grants, ranging from $1,500 to $20,000, will support programs in neighborhoods impacted by violent crime to help prevent or reduce shootings among youth and young adults living in these communities.

“Data tells us that the best solutions to stemming gun violence are often located right in the neighborhoods impacted by it the most,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “These grants support community-led grassroots programs striving to give young people, and others at risk of gun violence, positive social and enrichment opportunities that can lead to prevention. I look forward to their continued partnership with the City as we work together to address this crisis.”

These awards have been a key initiative of The Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities, and advance the updated Roadmap’s goals of creating: Connected & Thriving Youth, Young Adults & Families; Strong Community Engagement & Partnerships; Coordinated City Services & Planning; and Safe & Healthier Neighborhoods. This third round of funding brings the total invested by the TCIG program to about $2 million. 

During the selection process, preference was given to organizations that are focused on the educational and/or employment needs of individuals at a high risk of violence between the ages of 16 and 34. Those who applied were asked to give a specific description of the program or activity to be funded, along with an explanation of how it will help prevent or reduce gun violence in the community, a budget that clearly shows how the funds will be used, and how success will be measured. 

“We have to invest in communities in order to reduce violence, for far too long grassroots organizations have lacked access to critical resources. Hopefully as we continue these grants, we will see our neighborhoods grow stronger and safer.” said Erica Atwood, Senior Director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety. 

The following grantee biographies are organized by how their services benefit their communities in the categories of: Addressing Health and Wellness, Job Training and Skill Building.

*Note: Many of these organizations overlap with multiple categories based on their services and supports.