Best Crime Grants in Oregon

Funding Direct Assistance to Victims of Crimes

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is the only federal grant program supporting direct assistance services to victims and survivors of all types of crimes. The primary purpose of the VOCA grant program is to extend and enhance services to crime victims and crime survivors.

VOCA federal guidelines state that services are defined as those that:

• respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims
• assist primary and secondary victims to stabilize their lives after a victimization
• assist victims and survivors to understand and participate in the criminal justice system
• provide victims and survivors with a measure of safety and security such as boarding-up broken windows and replacing or repairing locks

VOCA Requirements

An agency must meet all of the following federal requirements to receive VOCA funds:

• Demonstrate a record of effective and direct services to crime victims
• Meet program match requirement
• Utilize volunteers to provide or support direct services
• Promote coordinated public and private efforts to assist victims and survivors
• Assist victims seeking crime victim compensation benefits
• Provide services to crime victims, at no charge, through the VOCA funded project
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide services to victims and survivors of federal crime on the same basis as victims of state crime
• Maintain required civil rights information
• Meet the terms of the certified assurances, special conditions and other federal rules regulating grants

The 2026 Carceral Systems Organizing Grant seeks to support organizations working to eradicate carceral systems, create alternative justice solutions, or pursue system reform by addressing systemic criminalization that disproportionately targets Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and low-income/poor communities across our five-state region.

This grant will fund organizations that meet SJF’s community organizing framework and prioritize communities underrepresented in traditional grantmaking.

We define carceral systems organizing broadly to include all systems that criminalize people’s lives based on race, poverty, gender, immigration status and/or disability. Examples include but are not limited to: 

• Abolition, transformative justice, and alternatives to incarceration
• Ending racial profiling and police brutality
• Addressing racial inequities in drug laws
• Child welfare, foster care, child protective services
• Youth incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline
• Detention and deportation of immigrant communities
• Homeless encampment sweeps and criminalization of survival needs
• Re-entry organizing by and for folks who were recently incarcerated

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Formula Grant Program, created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022), under federal statutory authority (34 U.S.C. §§ 10441, 10446-10451, 10454) from the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) encourages the development and implementation of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violence crimes against women. The goal of the program is to encourage states and localities to restructure and strengthen the criminal justice systems response to be proactive in addressing violence against women, drawing on the experience of all the participants in the system, including the advocacy community. This competitive application will fund projects that seek to develop and strengthen effective responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. 

The OJJDP FY 2026 Family Treatment Court Program aims to support state and local courts, as well as Tribal governments, in establishing or enhancing family treatment courts. These courts are designed to provide substance use treatment and other supportive services for parents involved with the child welfare system due to issues like child abuse or neglect. By focusing on intensive judicial monitoring and interventions, the program seeks to improve outcomes for children, parents, and families affected by substance use disorders.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Juvenile Justice System Enhancements program aims to bolster the effectiveness of juvenile justice systems across the nation. By targeting high-cost drivers of crime and enhancing youth outcomes, this initiative encourages states and localities to develop strategic solutions. Applicants are invited to identify challenges within their systems and prioritize resource allocation for measurable improvements, ultimately aiming to prevent crime and improve operations within the juvenile justice framework.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Emergency Planning for Juvenile Justice Residential Facilities program aims to enhance emergency preparedness in juvenile justice facilities across the country. This funding opportunity supports the development and implementation of comprehensive emergency plans that prioritize the safety of youth and staff, ensure effective communication with families, and maintain operational continuity during crises. By empowering facilities to improve their response and recovery capabilities, the program seeks to mitigate risks associated with emergencies, whether natural or man-made.

The BJA FY 2026 Justice Reinvestment Initiative aims to enhance state and local operations to effectively reduce crime and recidivism. This funding opportunity encourages state, local, and tribal governments to optimize resource allocation within the justice system, targeting urgent challenges through data-driven project proposals. By addressing areas such as law enforcement, prosecution, and probation, applicants can focus on strategies that maximize public safety and reduce the inefficient use of funds.

The BJA FY 2026 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program offers vital funding to support legal assistance for tribal members and justice systems in rural areas of the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance legal services where they are scarce, providing training and technical assistance for tribal courts and justice operations. Key focuses include veterans' legal aid, addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, and implementing the Violence Against Women Act.

The OVC FY 2026 Specialized Human Trafficking Assistance program provides critical funding to enhance the capacity of multidisciplinary anti-trafficking task forces and legal service providers. This initiative aims to strengthen the Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) through specialized training, ensuring effective identification and support for victims of human trafficking. By focusing on victim-centered investigations and successful prosecution of traffickers, this funding opportunity aligns with the U.S. Department of Justice’s mission to protect citizens and combat violent crime.

The BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program aims to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting civil rights offenses that resulted in death before December 31, 1979. This funding opportunity is part of the DOJ's broader commitment to enhance public safety, protect civil rights, and ensure justice for victims of violent crime. Applications are due on November 20, 2026.

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program aims to support adults with serious mental illness (SMI) by facilitating community-based treatment. Funded by the US HHS's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the initiative encourages collaboration with civil courts and community partners. Recipients will implement AOT to ensure that eligible individuals receive necessary support, thereby enhancing their mental health outcomes and promoting recovery.

Herold and Retta Reuss Public Safety Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate the drive and ability to be successful in pursuing a college education and/or a certification process in the fields aforementioned. Financial information is requested, but not necessarily a determining factor. Students who receive this scholarship may apply for further support in subsequent years.

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Application Guidelines

The Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Fund makes this scholarship available to students studying criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, or pre-law

The Fund shall annually distribute two (2) scholarships in the total amount of $1,500, split evenly per semester (i.e., $750 Fall Semester, and $750 Spring/Semester).

The BJA FY26 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) aims to support eligible state and local governments by providing funding for costs incurred from the incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens. This initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, seeks to enhance public safety and uphold civil rights by addressing the challenges posed by undocumented criminal activity. Applications for funding are welcomed for the reporting period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program aims to enhance the capacity of state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies by funding qualified prosecutors who will investigate and prosecute fraud and crimes committed by aliens in the U.S. This initiative also supports hiring criminal investigators and other staff to improve investigative efforts. By fostering intergovernmental coordination, the program seeks to strengthen law enforcement's ability to combat criminal activities, including drug and human trafficking.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research aims to enhance understanding of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation through scientific research. Proposals are sought in four key areas: the role of technology in fraud detection, forensic research for elder abuse investigation, evaluation of preventive programs, and the development of educational interventions against financial fraud targeting older adults. This initiative targets critical issues to improve safety and support for elderly individuals.

The NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation on Drones as First Responders program aims to fund rigorous evaluations of drone technology in law enforcement. The initiative seeks proposals that assess the effectiveness of drones in combating violent crime and immigration enforcement. By fostering collaboration between police agencies and researchers, the program intends to enhance the operational understanding of drones as first responders, evaluating both existing capabilities and new pilot programs.

The NIJ FY 2026 opportunity invites research proposals focused on violent crime linked to gangs and organized criminal groups, both domestically and internationally. This initiative aims to evaluate strategies that assist law enforcement in combatting these threats, including rigorous assessments of intervention methods. Projects may utilize various evaluation designs to analyze the impact of crime reduction strategies, specifically targeting violent crimes such as murder and robbery, while encouraging collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

The FY2027 Grants to Highest State Courts aim to enhance guardianship systems by evaluating and improving the fairness and effectiveness of adult guardianship proceedings. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, seeks to implement necessary changes based on assessments, streamline filing processes, and better detect fraud, ultimately ensuring the safety and integrity of protected individuals.

The BJA FY 2026 Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program aims to enhance public safety by improving the processes for reporting, transporting, and identifying missing persons and unidentified human remains. This funding opportunity supports efforts to locate missing individuals and address cases involving migrants, as authorized by Public Law 116-277. The program is part of the Office of Justice Programs' commitment to uphold justice and protect the rights of American citizens.

The OJP FY 2026 Integrity in American Elections Grant Program aims to enhance election integrity across the United States. This initiative, supported by the US Department of Justice, focuses on empowering state and local prosecutors to effectively prevent and prosecute voter fraud and maintain the integrity of voter rolls. By safeguarding elections against illegal voting and registration practices, this program is vital for upholding public confidence in democratic processes and ensuring that every American's vote counts.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence program aims to implement effective violence reduction strategies targeting juvenile offenders. This initiative focuses on enhancing community capabilities to assist children affected by violence in various environments, including homes and schools. By strengthening local responses to child victimization, the program seeks to diminish the incidence of violence and alleviate the long-term adverse effects that such exposure can have on children's well-being.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative provides funding to support states and localities in combating violent crime and overdose deaths. This initiative aims to enhance prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for children, youth, and families impacted by substance use disorders. Collaboration among law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations is essential to effectively address the needs of at-risk populations and those already involved in the child welfare and justice systems.