Pittsburgh Review

In an effort to stop violence in Pittsburgh, the city has announced that the STOP the Violence 2022 grant application has opened up for organizations seeking funding.

The grants are funded through the STOP the Violence Community Investment, Pittsburgh city government reported in a release. The goal is to financially support organizations that have programs that adhere to the group violence intervention (GVI) violence-prevention strategy. Grants are available in amounts between $15,000 and $90,000. The deadline to apply is July 5 at 12 p.m.

"It's time to address violence as a public health crisis that is treatable and preventable," Mayor Ed Gainey said in the release. "We know that no single organization can effectively eliminate violence on its own, which is why my Administration is focused on community partnerships. The STOP the Violence Community Investment Fund will allow us to support community organizations who are committed to a bold vision of ending violence and making Pittsburgh safe for everyone."

The grants are for organizations that are proactively working with people who are at risk for violent behavior in order to help them surmount these risks, preventing violence from manifesting, the city government reported. The purpose of GVI is to create engagement between the community, social services and law enforcement in order to address violence, and the STOP the Violence Community Investment Fund seeks to spread this strategy.

Grant priority is given to applicant organizations within city neighborhoods that are prone to violence and are actively attempting to address it, but need more funding to get the job done, the city government reported.

"We are very excited to make this opportunity available to those organizations in our City that are already connected to our high-risk populations and are doing all they can to prevent violence," Jay Gilmer, a STOP the Violence coordinator, said in the release. "We know that relationships are key to supporting people, directing them toward resources and ultimately providing a greater purpose and hope."

Eligible projects include academic, sports and arts programs for violence-prone individuals; familial-support programs; mentorship programs; support community development programs; and mental health services, the city government reported. Ineligible projects include anything associated with lobbying, advocacy, and fundraising campaigns.

Those applying must be recognized as a 501(c)3 or be fiscally sponsored by one, the city government reported. They must also have an understanding of local community violence, experience with implementing impactful programs in their community regarding those prone to violence, existing relationships with community members affected by violence, past examples where the proposed project served relevant individuals in the organization's immediate area, a pattern of communication and accountability within their community, operations located in and serving people in Pittsburgh, and the ability to start the funded project within two months of getting the money.

The grants are administered through a partnership between Pittsburgh and the POISE foundation, the city government reported. Those seeking to be awarded a grant must take an eligibility quiz through POISE's website, and if requirements are met, the organization will be given access to the application. Grants will be awarded in September.