Violence Against Women Act ( VAWA ) STOP Formula Grant Program

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, through its Office of Grants and Research (OGR), has announced the availability of funds under the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Formula Grant Program. This renewal opportunity continues the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act to strengthen community and criminal-justice responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking. The OGR serves as the State Administering Agency for this formula program, which is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The program supports coordinated community approaches across law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim-services agencies throughout Massachusetts. The purpose of this grant is to provide continuation funding to current FY 2024 STOP subgrantees completing the third year of their multi-year projects. Eligible applicants must be existing recipients and must propose to continue the same approved activities, services, and goals. This is not a competitive opportunity; funding is contingent upon OGR’s receipt of the FFY 2025 federal allocation from OVW. The program reinforces collaboration among justice entities and community-based organizations to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable. Approximately $3.4 million is available statewide for the 12-month grant period beginning January 1 2026 and ending December 31 2026, subject to the availability of federal funds. By statute, the Commonwealth must allocate STOP funds as follows: 30 percent for victim-service programs (of which 10 percent must be awarded to culturally specific community-based organizations), 25 percent for law-enforcement initiatives, 25 percent for prosecution, 15 percent for discretionary projects, and 5 percent for courts. Awards are issued on a cost-reimbursement basis, with quarterly reimbursement requests submitted to OGR. Pre-award costs are unallowable. Except for nonprofit victim-service providers and federally recognized tribes, all recipients must provide a 25 percent non-federal cash or in-kind match. Matching contributions may include cash, professional services, donated equipment, or workspace, and must be auditable and directly linked to program goals. Match calculations are based on total project cost; for example, a $60,000 federal award requires $20,000 in match to yield an $80,000 project. Eligible applicants must adhere to the twenty statutory purpose areas defined in federal law, of which twelve apply in Massachusetts. These include training of law-enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges; expanding coordinated responses; strengthening victim services and legal assistance programs; providing services to underserved, older, or disabled victims; supporting culturally specific programs; and developing special-victim units. The program excludes activities that compromise victim safety, undermine offender accountability, or violate OVW policy—such as mandatory couples counseling, blanket diversion programs, or discriminatory practices. Funds cannot be used for lobbying, fundraising, construction, or food and beverage expenses. All subgrantees must comply with confidentiality, non-discrimination, and reporting requirements established under the Violence Against Women Act and federal grant-management regulations. Applications are submitted electronically through the OGR online portal no later than October 24 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Applicants must complete the online form and upload all required attachments: the Budget Worksheet (Attachment A), Sub-Grantee Risk Assessment Form (Attachment B), and, if applicable, a Certification of Consultation/Memorandum of Agreement with Victim Service Providers (Attachments C or D) and a Legal Assistance Certification Letter (Attachment E). State-agency applicants must also upload their approved FY 2026 fringe-benefit and indirect-cost rate agreements. Nonprofit applicants must attest to eligibility and non-supplanting statements. The application narrative must include a needs assessment, program description, and goals, objectives, activities, timeline, and performance measures. Budgets must align with the predetermined allocation amounts listed in Appendix 1 of the AGF. OGR evaluates submissions using a 100-point scale: 5 points for project information, 20 for needs assessment, 30 for program description, 20 for goals and performance measures, and 25 for budget reasonableness. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Awards are expected to be announced in December 2025. Successful applicants will be required to submit quarterly financial and progress reports, maintain compliance with audit and civil-rights laws, and cooperate with site monitoring. Each publication produced with grant support must acknowledge the STOP Formula Grant Program and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. The anticipated timeline is as follows: posting date September 25 2025 (revised September 29 2025), application deadline October 24 2025 at 4 p.m., award notification December 2025, and grant period January 1 – December 31 2026. All assistance inquiries should be directed to Jenny Barron at jenny.barron@mass.gov in the Office of Grants and Research. The full AGF and related materials are available at Mass.gov under Violence Against Women Act (STOP Grant Program).

Review the entire AGF and attachments before submission; ensure accurate match calculation and allowable cost items.