Massachusetts Community Violence Intervention - Capacity Building Initiative Grant Program

Massachusetts Community Violence Intervention - Capacity Building Initiative Grant Program is sponsored by Health Resources in Action (HRiA). This program aims to support organizations building or strengthening their ability to offer violence prevention and intervention services.

It focuses on organizational capacity building, leadership and professional development, practitioner and supervisor trainings, and other activities to strengthen organizational operations and sustainability.

Massachusetts Community Violence Intervention - Capacity Building Initiative Grant Program - HRiA Application Materials FAQs This page will be updated with new resources, recordings of webinars, and FAQs throughout the RFP process (last updated 7-11-24 with new FAQ and updated budget template) The MCVI-CBI Grants Program has two primary goals: To support organizations building or strengthening their ability to offer the full spectrum of services of violence prevention and intervention.

To build organizational capacity, deepen and expand reach, and support infrastructure that strengthens organizational operations and broader field sustainability. The Grant Program will provide grantees up to $250,000 over the course of 24 months to address capacity needs.

Grantee organizations will participate in training and other activities as a cohort including leadership and professional development; practitioner and supervisor trainings; communities of practice; capacity assessments and subsequent supports for backend functions including fundraising, financial management, human resources, and other topics; regional and national convenings, and other activities.

Small, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) doing Community Violence Intervention and Prevention (CVI) work who possess deep roots in the community and make a powerful impact can lack the infrastructure or support to take in large federal or statewide grants.

In key informant interviews conducted by HRiA in the field in 2023, CVI leadership shared an urgent need for funding directed toward administrative support, noting that often the organizations led by people with lived experience are influential within their communities but lack the resources to measure impact or manage large streams of funding.

Capacity building is essential to build the leadership of the field and ensure that those organizations have the resources they need to thrive and sustain funding. September 2024 (date TBA) – September 30 th , 2026 Five total awards will be granted. Massachusetts-based nonprofit organizations or groups with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, that work in communities where there is a disproportionate impact of gun violence.

Eligible communities include: Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Fall River, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Somerville, Springfield and Worcester. Some organizations may not need to have 501(c)3 status to be eligible.

Organizations must either: Currently conduct direct interventions that engages proven-risk individuals most likely to be directly impacted by gun violence Plan to use these funds to deepen their engagement of proven-risk priority populations to reduce gun violence through direct intervention Ineligible activities include : Proposals by organizations that do not currently work in the violence prevention space Proposals focused on populations other than proven-risk individuals Proposals that solely outline existing activities with no programmatic or operational capacity-building element Proposals that focus on criminal justice-based or carceral approaches to gun violence Hospital-based intervention programs Assessment Criteria: Proposals will be assessed on project alignment and feasibility, organizational competency (including staff competency), and potential project impact.

Monday, June 17 th 12pm-1pm Date Time Registration link June 27 th 2pm-3pm July 3 rd 10am-11am Link to Recording July 9 th 11am-1pm Link to Recording July 11 th 10am-12pm Link to Recording Capacity Building Webinars Please join us for two capacity building webinars around nonprofit financial development. Anyone who is interested in this grant is welcome.

About Lisa Thirer: As a consultant and nonprofit strategist, Lisa leads technical assistance services to nonprofit organizations, foundations and local government. Her work focuses on building financial capacity for organizations who are continuously adapting and navigating a changing landscape.

She brings a comprehensive perspective to her work that encompasses vantage points as a consultant, service provider, advocate, funder and educator.

Systems & Operations: preparing your organization for federal grants Thursday, June 27 th 11am-12pm Link to Recording: MCVI-CBI Webinar: Systems & Operations Considerations for compliance, internal controls, and reporting requirements Operational structures and systems that your organization might need to have in place if you receive an award Assessing your organizations alignment with this funding opportunity Tuesday, July 2 nd 11am-12pm Link to Recording: MCVI-CBI Webinar: Developing your Budget How budgets are used as a strategic communication tool Considerations when developing a budget for federal funding Ongoing financial management after your project is funded This grants program, Massachusetts Community Violence Intervention Capacity Building Initiative (15PBJA-23-GK-05187-CVIP), is supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a financial assistance award totaling $4,000,000 with 100 percent funded by BJA/DOJ.

Natalie Penhale Johnson , MPH Associate Director, Capacity Building Assistance Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the work we’re doing. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.