Background
The Office of Violence Prevention provides grant funding opportunities to address the root causes of violence and partner with community organizations working with all Portlanders who have been impacted by gun violence. By funding violence prevention and reduction programs, we aim to interrupt cycles of violence, provide resources to individuals and families and engage with at risk youth during vital times in their lives.
Our grant funding opportunities are currently structured to bolster violence prevention and reduction efforts during time periods when youth are not in school, such as spring, winter, and summer breaks. Winter break and spring break grants focus on small, short-term programming, while summer grants support year-round programming for violence prevention with program offerings such as workforce development, wrap-around services and positive youth development activities.
Spring Break Youth Safety Initiative
Generally, the Office of Violence Prevention's Spring Break Youth Safety Initiative focuses on activities to keep youth engaged over the spring school break where we historically see an increase in gun violence. Estimated timelines for the Spring Break Youth Safety Initiative grants:
- Application release: November
- Applications due: December
- Award notification: Mid-February
- Program period: March
Specific grant requirements will be outlined when the application is released, but historically, funding has supported programs that offer multi-day or weeklong programming activities or camps, such as:
- Preventative programs, workshops, camps and events;
- Youth mediation and mentoring programs;
- Arts and culture or recreational violence preventative programs;
- Workforce development, or job training and placement; and
- Sports, educational, recreational and other activities.
Safer Portland Grant
OVP's Safer Portland grant funds year-long programming that invests directly in community-driven solutions to reduce gun violence and support safer neighborhoods. These grants strengthen local capacity to address root causes of violence and promote long-term community well-being.
Estimated timelines for Safer Portland Grants:
- Application release: January
- Applications due: March
- Award notification: April
- Program period: One year starting in June
Specific grant requirements will be outlined when the application is released, but historically, funding has supported programs that offer services such as:
- Wraparound Services
- Mental Health/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Aftercare Support for Families of Victims
- Intervention Support Services
- Violence Prevention through Social Activities
- Youth and Adult Mediation and Mentoring Programs
- Preventative Events, Programs and Workshops
- Arts, Culture and Recreation Violence Prevention Programs
- Workforce Development and Economic Mobility
- Job training and readiness programs
- Job placement
- Financial and basic needs support and education for families and individuals affected by gun violence
Application Review & Scoring Process
Applications will be reviewed by staff and/or an external review panel. Scores will be based on the published criteria, and awards will be recommended accordingly.
Additional Information
The Office of Violence Prevention does not currently sponsor individual events, fundraisers or galas. All funding opportunities are awarded through competitive solicitation processes.