| Since the program was launched in November 2002, OVC has offered grants to grassroots, nonprofit, community- and faith-based
victim organizations and coalitions to improve outreach and services
to victims of crime.
Background
Through a series of roundtable meetings with crime victims and victim
advocates, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has become aware
of a growing body of grassroots, nonprofit, community- and faith-based
victim organizations and coalitions who are not linked to mainstream
victim service programs and who do not have access to traditional
funding for services, outreach, and networking. Oftentimes, these
organizations need only a small amount of money and access to resources
to expand and enhance their outreach and services to crime victims.
What Is Helping Outreach
Programs to Expand?
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office
for Victims of Crime (OVC) will provide up to $5,000 in funding
to grassroots community- and faith-based victim service organizations
and coalitions to improve outreach and services to crime victims,
through support of program development, networking, coalition building,
and service delivery. Funds may be used to develop program literature,
train advocates, produce a newsletter, support victim outreach efforts,
and recruit volunteers.
Who Can Apply?
Established organizations and coalitions that do not receive federal
VOCA victim assistance grant funding and operate with $50,000 or
less in annual funding. Eligible organizations and coalitions must
be operating for at least 1 year.
How To Apply?
Interested organizations should submit a letter of request on the
agency's letterhead to the OVC Director. The letter should include
the following:
- Organization's mission
statement
- Background information
about the organization/coalition (e.g., how long in existence,
names and titles of organization's principals)
- Funding sources (past
12 months)
- Description of activities
and crime victim services
- Statement of need
- Intended uses of funds
- Letters of support
(e.g., law enforcement, social services, victim services)
Examples of Successful (OVC-Funded) Initiatives
Since November 2002, OVC HOPE funds have supported a range of outreach and victim service expansion efforts, including:
- Production and display of a public service announcement in local movie theaters of the victim service organization's contact information.
- Translation of domestic violence brochures to Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese and Farsi.
- Establishment of a 24-hour crisis hotline.
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