Best Grants for Gun Violence Prevention in District of Columbia

The England Family Foundation Grant aims to amplify local solutions for inclusive prosperity in Washington, DC. It welcomes 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for general operating grants that align with its strategic priorities, including economic justice and community safety. The foundation prioritizes funding for organizations addressing systemic inequalities and fostering leadership among youth. Grants are awarded twice a year, with a commitment to reducing gun violence and supporting vulnerable communities. Interested applicants can submit inquiries via an online portal.

The DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) was created to address gun violence in the District of Columbia. The ONSE aims to foster community-based strategies to help prevent violence and increase public safety. To support this mission, ONSE announces the availability of funding offered through the Violence Intervention Initiative (VI). The VI division supports District residents in reducing gun-related violence in the community and focuses on innovative ways to interrupt violence. 

Violence Prevention Mini-Grant

The goal of this RFA is to promote and ensure the fairest, most efficient means to obtain the benefits of the most qualified, responsive, and responsible proposals.

Funding is targeted for individuals between the ages of 12 – 35.

Purpose

The primary focus of the RFA is to support initiatives that contribute to the prevention of violence in the District of Columbia. We seek creative and impactful proposals addressing the root causes of violence, promoting community engagement, and fostering a safer and more resilient environment. Categories for funding include: Behavioral Health; and Restorative Justice

The goals of this opportunity include:

• Community Safety
• Create Positive Change
• Youth Involvement

Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships

The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships – ServeDC (ServeDC), is the DC Commission on National and Community Service as such ServeDC provides oversight and support to applicants selected as sub-grantees. Oversight includes monitoring and programmatic site visits, fiscal monitoring, and reporting requirements. Support includes AmeriCorps trainings, program director meetings, and one-on-one technical assistance.

AmeriCorps State Formula Grant Competition

This application applies to Single State applicants operating only in the District of Columbia.

AmeriCorps Agency

ServeDC receives federal funding from AmeriCorps to support National Service programs in the District of Columbia, including the AmeriCorps State program. The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering. Through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, AmeriCorps has helped to engage millions of citizens in meeting community and national challenges through service and volunteer action.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations (see Eligible Applicants) proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community service through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust that members can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans. 

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is a National Service program funded by the federal government. Locally, ServeDC supports the AmeriCorps State program in Washington, DC. AmeriCorps projects address a combination of the national service priorities, meet critical needs of our nation, achieve national service goals, and address community problems. These include disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. Within these focus areas programs may submit proposals that address specific problems of local communities. Full-time members who complete their service earn an Eli Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. Members who serve part-time receive a partial Award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.

2026-2027 AmeriCorps State Formula Grant Competition

Overview

The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism and Partnerships – ServeDC (ServeDC), is the DC Commission on National and Community Service as such ServeDC provides oversight and support to applicants selected as sub-grantees. Oversight includes monitoring and programmatic site visits, fiscal monitoring, and reporting requirements. Support includes AmeriCorps trainings, program director meetings, and one-on-one technical assistance.

ServeDC was established by an Executive Order in 2000 and is housed in the Office of Community Affairs in the Executive Office of the Mayor. ServeDC is the District of Columbia Government agency dedicated to promoting service as an innovative, sustainable solution to the challenges we face as a community and a nation. ServeDC engages District communities by building partnerships and organizational capacity, serving as the local lead for national volunteer and service initiatives, and providing and promoting meaningful service opportunities throughout the year. This application applies to Single State applicants operating only in the District of Columbia.

The Group Violence Reduction Strategy Grant, administered by the DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, aims to reduce gun violence in Washington, D.C. This initiative seeks applications from organizations providing violence intervention services to engage high-risk individuals aged 18-35. By fostering community partnerships and implementing effective intervention strategies, the grant supports efforts to prevent violence and offer alternatives to crime, ultimately enhancing safety and well-being in local neighborhoods.

The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, established in 1992, supports charitable organizations that enhance society, focusing on democracy and civil liberties. The fund prioritizes projects that ensure equal citizen participation in the democratic process and protect civil liberties, especially those implemented nationally or across multiple states. It operates by invitation only and emphasizes flexible, informed grantmaking to qualified projects that align with its mission and values.

The Survivor Fellowship Program for Students, initiated by Everytown for Gun Safety in 2015, empowers individuals directly affected by gun violence. This year-long volunteer advocacy training helps survivors share their narratives, fostering awareness and mobilizing communities to combat gun violence. Participants must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in an educational institution, with a personal connection to gun violence, ensuring diverse experiences are represented in this impactful initiative.

About The NRA Foundation

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

Awards

The NRA is proud to recognize the contributions of those who have demonstrated dedication to the promotion of the Second Amendment, significantly impacted the preservation of the shooting sports, advanced the purposes and goals of the NRA and exemplified leadership through public service. Each year, women, youth, clubs, law enforcement officers and NRA Foundation volunteers are awarded for their efforts in pursuit of these principles.

NRA Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award

This national award is in honor of the brave woman, Sybil Ludington, who in 1777, galloped on her horse one night to rally troops against the British. Now to honor her accomplishment and the accomplishments of modern heroines, the NRA bestows the prestigious Sybil Ludington Women’s Freedom Award in her name.

Investing in research and healthcare to prevent, treat, and heal firearm-related harms

Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education

Kaiser Permanente established this Center in 2022 to scale its longstanding commitment to help communities prevent, treat, and heal from firearm-related injuries or death. The Center’s focus on violence prevention is rooted in healthcare, care delivery, and clinical interventions.

The Center is coordinated in collaboration with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI).

Research to support more effective health interventions

The Center funds research to test and expand health interventions that treat and prevent firearm injuries and deaths. This approach uses the same rigor and expertise that has helped treat and prevent other leading health concerns and causes of death, such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Funding supports projects to:

• Identify and evaluate health system strategies to address firearm injury and death, especially in communities that are most impacted.
• Test clinical interventions to prevent, treat, and heal trauma caused by firearm injuries and death.
• Assess pathways to implement and scale clinical interventions for firearm injury prevention in various healthcare settings.
• Improve healthcare identification and engagement of individuals at high risk of firearm injury or death.

Since its inception, the Center has awarded more than $8.5 million through 49 grants across 25 states and Washington, D.C., to advance research, capacity building, narrative change, and education.

Funding Opportunity

The call is open to applicants at varying stages of the research continuum. It is expected that central to all proposed initiatives are efforts to meaningfully engage communities that have been the most impacted by firearm violence.

What Work Will Be Considered for Funding?

Funding is currently available in two categories: Category 1 - Research Capacity Building; Category 2 - Pilot or Formative Healthcare Research

Category 1: Research Capacity Building

Up to two (2) projects will be selected, each receiving up to $100,000 over two (2) years.

Build capacity within the organization, institution, and/or clinical care setting to conduct research on healthcare approaches to addressing firearm violence or firearm suicide.

Investing in research and healthcare to prevent, treat, and heal firearm-related harms

Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education

Kaiser Permanente established this Center in 2022 to scale its longstanding commitment to help communities prevent, treat, and heal from firearm-related injuries or death. The Center’s focus on violence prevention is rooted in healthcare, care delivery, and clinical interventions.

The Center is coordinated in collaboration with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI).

Research to support more effective health interventions

The Center funds research to test and expand health interventions that treat and prevent firearm injuries and deaths. This approach uses the same rigor and expertise that has helped treat and prevent other leading health concerns and causes of death, such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Funding supports projects to:

• Identify and evaluate health system strategies to address firearm injury and death, especially in communities that are most impacted.
• Test clinical interventions to prevent, treat, and heal trauma caused by firearm injuries and death.
• Assess pathways to implement and scale clinical interventions for firearm injury prevention in various healthcare settings.
• Improve healthcare identification and engagement of individuals at high risk of firearm injury or death.

Since its inception, the Center has awarded more than $8.5 million through 49 grants across 25 states and Washington, D.C., to advance research, capacity building, narrative change, and education.

Funding Opportunity

The call is open to applicants at varying stages of the research continuum. It is expected that central to all proposed initiatives are efforts to meaningfully engage communities that have been the most impacted by firearm violence.

What Work Will Be Considered for Funding?

Funding is currently available in two categories: Category 1 - Research Capacity Building; Category 2 - Pilot or Formative Healthcare Research

Category 2 - Pilot or Formative Healthcare Research

Up to two (2) projects will be selected, each receiving up to $250,000 over two (2) years.

Expand or pilot new research on evidence-informed healthcare practice or clinical care models that address firearm violence or firearm suicide.

The CDC's NCIPC invites research proposals to evaluate innovative approaches for preventing firearm-related violence and injuries. This initiative emphasizes the importance of data-driven solutions without infringing on legal firearm ownership rights. Funding options are available for existing data evaluations (up to $350,000/year for 2 years) or new data collection (up to $650,000/year for 3 years). Target areas include mass shootings, suicides, and crime prevention across various demographics and settings.

Rapid Response Grants 

Emergency funding after mass tragedies.

In the wake of tragic mass events, such as shooting, speed matters. Our Rapid Response Grants provide expedited funding to victims and their families when time is of the essence. These grants ensure that families aren’t left waiting for critical support when they need it most.

• Awarded swiftly after mass casualty events
• Designed to provide urgent, compassionate support in crisis situations

The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, a private foundation established in 1992, is dedicated to enhancing the Jewish community by awarding grants that foster inclusivity and vibrancy. The fund invites proposals from organizations committed to combating antisemitism and supporting progressive initiatives such as climate action and reproductive rights. Eligible applicants must hold 501(c)(3) status and can submit one request per year, focusing on projects in the San Francisco Bay Area or nationally.