04 Mar Funding Alert! Grants for Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Programs
Department of Justice – Office on Violence Against Women
Does your organization work with victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking? The Department of Justice (DOJ) is accepting proposals for its Grants for rural domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (DVSA) programs through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the DOJ. The overall goals of the program are to support efforts to enhance the safety of rural victims of DVSA, and support projects uniquely designed to address and prevent crimes in rural areas. OVW is especially seeking organizations that serve culturally specific organizations to advance racial equity and strengthen efforts to prevent sexual assault including victim services and civil and criminal justice responses.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) with the exception of institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and organizations, private institutions of higher education, city or township, county, and state governments.
For applicants focusing primarily on improving the criminal justice response, partnership with a sexual assault service provider is required.
What is the program goal?
For many applicants, the Rural Program is one of the few sources of funding to support the provision of core services for victims of DVSA. For this reason, this opportunity will only fund applications that propose a project that implements a collaborative response, supports victim services, and/or creates a direct response to these crimes in rural communities. At least 75% of the total amount of funding must be allocated to rural states, and all applicants must target services in rural areas or communities, defined in the full solicitation.
The Rural Program opportunity supports the following purposes:
- Increase collaboration among DVSA victim service providers; law enforcement agencies; prosecutors; courts; other criminal justice service providers; human and community service providers; educational institutions; and health care providers, including sexual assault forensic examiners;
- Establish and expand victim services in rural communities to child, youth, and adult victims; and
- Increase the safety and well-being of women and children in rural communities through intervention, awareness, and prevention.
OVW expects to award 55 grants with a total award amount of $950,000 over a 36-month project period. The total available funding pool is approximately $32 million. The program does not require a cost-share or matching funds.
Applications for this program will be submitted through a two-step process in grants.gov and JustGrants (Justice Grants System). The Grants.gov proposal deadline is coming up quickly on April 7, 2022, with a JustGrants secondary deadline on March 12, 2022. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of intent (LOI) by March 25, 2022.
What makes a project a good fit?
Organizations that utilize a collaborative response, support victim services, and/or create a direct response to these crimes in rural communities are a good fit for this opportunity. Proposed projects must devote at least 70% of their project activities and budget to rural program purpose areas. Applicants may allocate no more than 30% of the project budget and activities to efforts that focus on awareness and prevention of DVSA.
In addition to the purpose areas, the Rural Program grantees are required to implement at least one of the strategies set forth in 34 U.S.C. § 12341(b)(1)-(5), including implementing cooperative efforts; treatment, counseling, and legal assistance to victims; education and prevention strategies, strengthen programs addressing sexual assault; and developing and strengthening programs focusing on specific needs of victims in rural and geographically isolated areas (lack of shelter access, limited law enforcement resources, training and resources to community health aides).
Prioritization will be given to organizations whose programs advance racial equity as an essential component of ending DVSA, and whose programs strengthen efforts to prevent and end sexual assault including victim services and civil and criminal justice responses.
Special consideration and funds up to $950,000 will be given to continuation applicants that focus primarily (75% of proposed activities and budget) on programs addressing sexual assault in rural areas. New applicants are limited to $500,000 for the project duration, with those focusing 75% or more on sexual assault being eligible for up to $700,000.
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 a Grants.gov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://sam.gov/content/status-tracker.
- Begin familiarizing yourself with DOJ’s 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 proposal writing, so my application is more likely to be successful?
AGS is excited to offer a Federal Grants Training Series in 2022! The series is designed to support nonprofit leaders before and during the application process. 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
Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs