28 Jan Funding Alert! Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors

Department of Justice – Office on Violence Against Women

Does your organization provide services to undeserved victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and related crimes? The Department of Justice (DOJ) is now accepting proposals for its Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). OVW operates under the DOJ and provides funding for coordinated community responses to holding offenders accountable and serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are population-specific organizations or victim service providers that qualify as either deaf programs; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organizations; religious minority organizations; or disability programs.

Applicants must have at least one project partner, recognized by a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU). Either the applicant or the partner agency must be a victim service provider and have at least three years of experience and expertise in providing services directly to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

What is the program goal?

This program supports projects that address gaps in services, making them more accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to victims of domestic violence from underserved populations. Applicants may propose projects that provide or enhance population-specific outreach and services through the following types of activities:

• Developing or enhancing population-specific victim services or outreach strategies for reaching underserved survivors;
• Strengthening the capacity of population-specific organizations to serve survivors of these types of crimes;
• Building the capacity of victim service providers to deliver population-specific services;
• Training and educating community partners and the criminal justice system on the needs of underserved survivors; or
• Developing culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for underserved survivors.

OVW does not fund activities that jeopardize the safety of victims, that deter or prevent victim healing, or that allow offenders to escape responsibility for their actions. Other unallowable activities include research projects, activities that serve children under the age of 11, and Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner programs, among others. The funder solicitation provides a full list of out-of-scope activities on pages 7-8.

The DOJ expects to award ten grants, each up to $450,000 total across a three–year period of performance. There is no cost share/match requirement for this opportunity.

The funder encourages applicants to submit a non-binding letter of intent by March 16, 2021, with full proposals due to the DOJ’s new JustGrants system by April 1, 2021.

What makes a project a good fit?

OVW is interested in programs that emphasize the long-term safety, stability, and self-sufficiency of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Therefore, applications may receive priority consideration if they propose victim services that reach beyond crisis intervention to provide such opportunities as education assistance, vocational training, employment services, and financial counseling.

What if I am ready to apply?

To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:

• Review the full solicitation for additional details and project activities.
• Check out the OVW website, which includes news updates, a podcast focused on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a list of previously awarded grants by program and state, and other helpful information.
• Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.
• Begin familiarizing yourself with DOJ’s new grants management portal, JustGrants, where proposals under this solicitation will be submitted.

What if I need help with this application?

Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.

What if I am not ready to apply this year?

Start preparing for next year! OVW also has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit, depending on your organization’s service area, target population, and objectives. The office’s grant page has ample resources and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.

How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?

AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.

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Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs

Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy

Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization

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