Millions Of Dollars Available To Groups Providing Services To Crime Victims

Applications are due by Wednesday, March 18.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) — Nonprofit organizations providing services to Indiana crime victims have the opportunity to receive federal funding to help support their services. 

Over $60 million is available in federal funding through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. 

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) assistance program is funded by the federal Crime Victims Fund. This means money administered by this program is financed through fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders. 

“This program is about providing victims access to the justice, assistance and support they need to rebuild their lives,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “There are many organizations in Indiana working towards this cause. We hope they will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Victim advocacy, therapy, and legal support are just some ways these VOCA grants can be used. 

Funds can also be used to pay for strategic planning or cover administrative costs. 

“We want every victim in Indiana to have a chance at recovery, especially our youngest, most vulnerable members of society,” said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Division Director. “VOCA enables communities to be able to provide more of that local support.”

Organizations must have a documented history of providing services to crime victims and have at least 25 percent of their funding come from outside sources (other than the Crime Victims Fund) to be considered eligible. 

Priority will be given to projects that support underserved violent crime victims and victims of child abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault.

A 20 percent match will be required for all projects, and services must be provided with no cost to the victim. Also, volunteers must be utilized as part of the proposal, and victims’ identities must be protected at all times.

Find the full Request For Proposals here. 

Applications must be submitted electronically through IntelliGrants by Wednesday, March 18.

If selected, organizations will be reimbursed throughout the life of the grant, which begins on October 1, 2020, and ends September 30, 2022.