Deadline: 27-Oct-2025
The United States Department of Justice has announced a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at reducing violent crime and strengthening police-community relations.
This initiative emphasizes the importance of cross-sector strategies that combine enforcement, prevention, and intervention efforts while fostering sustained collaboration with communities to advance public safety.
At its core, the program seeks to address the underlying drivers of violence through a more collaborative and community-oriented approach. Funded activities may include hiring sworn law enforcement officers and related personnel such as crime analysts, purchasing equipment that directly supports violence prevention efforts, implementing focused deterrence strategies, and launching youth violence intervention programs. In addition, funding may support the construction of community centers to foster safe spaces for engagement and trust-building.
The program also prioritizes strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and local organizations, community leaders, and residents. By fostering accountability, trust, and sustained dialogue, the initiative aims to create long-term solutions that extend beyond policing. Applicants are also encouraged to build their capacity for comprehensive crime reduction strategies, particularly in areas such as communication, data collection and analysis, and cross-agency coordination. Another critical focus is identifying and engaging individuals most at risk of involvement in or victimization by violence, ensuring interventions reach those who need them most.
A total of $34.6 million will be awarded under this opportunity, with up to 17 awards expected. Each award may be as high as $2 million, and the performance period will run for up to 48 months, beginning on October 1, 2025. Applicants are expected to submit proposals that are not only ambitious but also realistic, with budgets aligned to their capacity to implement the programs.
Eligible applicants include county and city governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized Native American Tribal governments, and other units of local government such as towns, boroughs, parishes, and villages. Native American tribal organizations are also eligible to apply.
This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in promoting safer, stronger, and more resilient communities by combining law enforcement resources with the power of community engagement and collaboration. It is designed to ensure that public safety strategies not only reduce crime but also build trust and lasting relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
