Best Child Abuse Prevention Grants

Joyful Heart Foundation

Since 2004, Joyful Heart has been a leading national organization with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse by building a world that prioritizes survivors’ healing.

Our Areas of Focus

We continue to carry out our mission through programming centered on survivors’ needs. We strive to fill gaps where those needs aren’t being met, without duplicating existing programs. In order to build a more compassionate, more informed culture rooted in the possibility and promise of healing, we focus on three key areas: Awareness and Community Building, Policy and Advocacy and Healing Programs.

• Healing Programs and Resources: Creating and fostering a culture of healing and nurturing for survivors and the professionals who support them.
• Policy and Advocacy: Advocating for policies and practices that forge a path to safety, justice and hope for survivors.

• Awareness and Community Building: Creating spaces and conversations that channel a drive for change into action and transformation.

Heal the Healers Grant 

Helping alleviate the effects of secondary trauma for the long-term wellbeing of professionals who support survivors

Building for a System of Care and Compassion

Heal the Healers Grantmaking Program provides critical support for professionals who help survivors heal and seek justice. People working on the frontlines of survivor-centered services are subject to the often overlooked effects of secondary trauma that can emerge as a result of continuous exposure to people who have recently experienced abuse and violence.

The Heal the Healers Grant Fund and Grantee Learning Cohorts provide resources to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma among the practitioners responsible for the earliest stages of survivors’ paths to justice and healing. Creating a safer, more compassionate world for the people who do this work helps lay a foundation for lasting change and a world where every survivor’s healing is prioritized.

The Heal the Healers Fund provides micro-grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit, Tribal, or governmental organizations supporting survivors for training, small capital projects, or organizational activities.

Areas of Support

The Joyful Heart Foundation has established the following guidelines for its Heal the Healers Fund grants to support those working directly with survivors in the following areas.

• Training and/or program development on self-care practices such as training in trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, somatic therapy, etc.
• Small capital items and equipment that specifically allow staff and volunteers to address their self care needs such as daylight lamps for staff or new furniture for a break room.
• Staff activities to build and support connections between colleagues such as, trust building experiences, monthly pizza nights, or bagel Fridays.
• Or any combination of the above. 

In addition to the financial support, grantees will also be invited to join a peer learning community cohort that includes:

• Opportunities to amplify their fellowship/cohort experiences to inspire others in the field
• Virtual peer-to-peer networking opportunities
• Virtual training/presentations by leading healers, therapists and other professionals with expertise in cutting edge vicarious trauma, empowerment, leadership and therapeutic modalities

The Child Advocacy Center Services Grant focuses on enhancing services for child abuse victims through a coordinated approach. Funded by the Maryland Governor’s Office, this initiative aims to support multi-disciplinary teams that ensure children are treated with care and compassion during investigations. With $300,000 available for accredited centers, the program emphasizes collaboration among law enforcement, social workers, and protective services to safeguard Maryland's vulnerable youth.

The LG&E and KU Foundation is dedicated to enhancing community welfare by supporting nonprofit organizations that address essential needs. Every year, the foundation awards grants to initiatives focused on student success, essential services, child protection, community building, and cultural promotion. Additionally, through the Power of One campaign, employees and retirees contribute to charitable efforts, raising nearly $9 million to support local nonprofits, alongside volunteering over 20,000 hours annually.

The Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities (LATLC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals in the greater Los Angeles area. Established in 2006, LATLC focuses on supporting education, children, survivors of abuse, those with disabilities, and the homeless through financial grants and volunteer efforts. With over 3,000 supporters and a committed board of 42 attorneys, LATLC aims to make a significant, positive impact on the community.

The Sam J. Frankino Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children and families in need through monetary grants for education, health care, and community support. With a focus on initiatives that empower disadvantaged youth and support the Italian-American community, the Foundation aims to foster growth and development in Northeast Ohio. Guided by philanthropic excellence, it seeks to create lasting change through strategic partnerships and innovative programs for social betterment.

Ent Credit Union's YES Grants program supports youth-focused nonprofit organizations in Colorado, having awarded over $1.8 million since 2000. In 2022 alone, $200,000 was distributed to 74 grant recipients from over 160 applications. The program aims to enhance community support for children by providing essential resources such as shelter, food, and educational programs. Selection is made by a committee of Ent team members, ensuring a diverse representation in the decision-making process.

The Seneca Foods Foundation Grant supports philanthropic initiatives focused on empowering youth and strengthening communities. Since 1988, it has provided funding for education, community assistance, and internships. The Foundation prioritizes organizations connected to Seneca employees, located near its operational facilities, and those that align with its mission. It requires documented performance results and considers only one request per organization annually, ensuring that grants foster measurable impact within the communities served.

The Herbert A. and Adrian W. Woods Foundation, founded in 1999, supports charitable organizations primarily in the greater St. Louis area. Funding interests focus on aiding abused children, the poor, the Episcopal Church and its affiliates, arts and culture, animal welfare, and victims of illness. The foundation accepts special project requests, capital campaigns, matching grants, and general operation funding, while multi-year grants and endowment funding are excluded.

The United Tompkins Community Impact Fund, managed by the United Way of Tompkins County, supports essential health and human services in Tompkins County. This fund focuses on addressing community needs through grants awarded every two years, targeting areas such as affordable housing, food security, and youth success. Nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies serving local residents are eligible to apply, ensuring impactful support for marginalized communities and overall well-being.

The BHHS Legacy Foundation Grant supports initiatives that improve health and quality of life for vulnerable Arizona residents. Since 2001, the Foundation has focused on four key areas: enhancing healthcare access, improving community health, developing the healthcare workforce, and strengthening community ties. Organizations seeking funding must demonstrate a clear health-related need and comply with eligibility criteria, including nonprofit status. This grant is vital for programs aiming to create sustainable health solutions in Arizona.

The Inasmuch Foundation Grant supports charitable initiatives in Central Oklahoma, focusing on areas such as education, human services, and journalism. Established in 1982 by philanthropist Edith Kinney Gaylord, the foundation emphasizes community engagement and transparency in funding. Organizations can apply for general operating support grants, with amounts ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, and are encouraged to pursue partnerships in priority areas, including education reform and workforce development.

The Anna May Family Foundation, established in 1999, aims to support organizations in southern Oregon that assist economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly focusing on children, women, elders, and minorities. The foundation prioritizes grants addressing urgent needs, such as abuse victims, at-risk children, and those requiring emergency services. However, it does not fund individuals, completed projects, or operational costs, ensuring that its contributions are directed towards impactful initiatives in the community.

The Kids Trust Fund Grant aims to support nonprofit organizations focused on helping children aged 0-18 who have suffered from abuse or neglect. Established in memory of Gary L. Houck, Jr., this fund encourages innovative programs that enhance existing services and empower affected families. Eligible activities include therapeutic recreation, early intervention, and mental health services. The foundation seeks collaborative solutions that yield measurable outcomes, ensuring long-term support for these vulnerable children.

The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio, Inc. provides funding to enhance children's lives in Bexar County. With over $29 million distributed to nonprofit agencies, the organization focuses on urgent needs for children aged 0-18. Grants support well-defined projects that address immediate concerns, requiring compliance with strict funding policies. Agencies must demonstrate a clear impact on children's well-being and adhere to reporting requirements to ensure accountability and effective use of resources.

The March Family Foundation provides grants to organizations that support children and youth, enhance theological education, and promote justice. They focus on measurable outcomes and effective action plans. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) charities and faith-based groups, primarily in the Twin Cities metro area. The foundation aims to address issues like poverty, abuse, and spiritual development, with a commitment to human rights, including food and shelter access.

The MSU/Big Ten Fund for Safe & Healthy Kids Endowment, established in 2013 by Michigan State University, provides grants to enhance child safety and success. With $10,000 available in 2023, it focuses on projects that prevent and treat child sexual abuse, targeting organizations in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau Counties, or the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Department of Children, Youth, and Families

DCYF is a cabinet-level agency that works to support children, youth, and families. It oversees the state’s child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and early care and education programs. Our work is focused on prevention and better outcomes for children, youth, and families. 

Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Capacity Building Funding Opportunity

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) requests applications from Washington State organizations to provide new, innovative, or expanded primary or secondary Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention programs while enhancing their program evaluation capacity. Organizations aiming to bolster their knowledge, understanding, and application of program evaluation are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI).

Priority will be given to organizations who can demonstrate that the activities proposed in their application are needed in their community and will be impactful on the focus population. This may include organizations who are able to address documented needs in a community that has a lack of services for their focus population.

The Charles H. Hall Foundation Grant supports educational, health, and cultural programs for underserved populations in Massachusetts, with a focus on preventing cruelty to children and animals. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, and are typically awarded for one year. Organizations providing direct services are prioritized. The foundation seeks to address the needs of communities in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, ensuring impactful support for local initiatives.

Community Memorial Foundation provides Illinois organizations focused on child abuse and neglect with support for programs that improve health and safety in Cook and DuPage Counties. Funding priorities include prevention of child abuse, access to care, and addressing basic human needs. Nonprofits working to protect children in these communities may be eligible.

The ECCF Women's Giving Circle Grant, administered by the Eau Claire Community Foundation, aims to enhance the lives of women and children in the Eau Claire area. By fundraising and distributing grants, the circle supports various programs that address critical needs and foster community improvement. This initiative emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, ensuring that contributions make a meaningful impact in the local community.

Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) programs, which are authorized as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), have a rich history of promoting efforts to support families and prevent child maltreatment. The law emphasizes support for community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and coordinate initiatives, programs and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF) offers community grants to support initiatives benefiting residents of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 through a streamlined application process that covers multiple funding opportunities. WCF prioritizes areas such as arts, culture, health, and community wellness, ensuring assistance reaches those in need. The foundation encourages first-time applicants to reach out for guidance before submission.

The CFTHC Community Impact Fund Grant supports organizations in Bandera and surrounding counties, focusing on Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Environment, and Youth Development. Grants up to $15,000 can be used for general operating or program support. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a minimum of 12 months operating history. The fund prioritizes organizations that promote community welfare and address critical needs such as hunger, education, and environmental stewardship.

The Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation (HWLF) has been supporting the rights and welfare of women and children in Hawaii for over 30 years. They provide grants to local nonprofits that enhance access to legal systems, health services, and educational opportunities. With priority given to projects benefiting women and children, HWLF awards micro-grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. The foundation considers grant applications twice a year, focusing on initiatives that promote safety and independence in the community.

The Whipple Foundation Fund Grant, established by Mildred Whipple in 2003, aims to enhance lifelong learning for Douglas County residents. It prioritizes support for reopening libraries, fostering civic engagement, and funding early childhood programs. The grant encourages sustainable community funding and collaboration among various educational initiatives. With a focus on local needs, it accepts applications annually, targeting projects that improve educational access and community involvement.

Rape Prevention Education Grant

Sexual violence is any sexual activity where consent is not freely given. Sexual violence affects millions of people each year in the United States and can lead to serious health consequences, including mental health conditions, injury, and chronic physical health problems.

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS, 2016–2017) reports:

• More than 1 in 2 women (over 54%) and nearly 1 in 3 men (about 31%) have experienced contact sexual violence—including rape, being made to penetrate someone, sexual coercion, or unwanted sexual contact—at some point in their lives.
• Nearly 1 in 4 women (about 27%) have experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes.
• About 1 in 26 men (3.8%) have experienced completed or attempted rape, and more than 1 in 10 men (10.7%) have been made to penetrate someone during their lifetime.

The South Dakota Rape Prevention Education (RPE) program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This funding is authorized through the Violence Against Women Act.

The goal of the RPE program is to strengthen sexual violence prevention efforts by focusing on primary prevention: preventing sexual violence before it occurs. It operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and six U.S. territories. The CDC provides tools, training, and technical assistance to the RPE program to prevent sexual violence, reduce risk factors, enhance protective factors, promote best practices, analyze data and evaluate prevention efforts.

With the RPE program, South Dakota hopes to lower sexual violence rates against everyone, but especially the target audiences of children, teens, young adults, and Native Americans.

The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio provides essential funding to support the well-being of children in Bexar County. Through a rigorous selection process, they evaluate grant applications to ensure funds are allocated efficiently. Their Annual Grant Funding Process invites local charities to submit proposals for projects that address critical needs. With a focus on transparency and compliance, the Association aims to enhance the quality of life for children in the community.