OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program. This discretionary grant program is designed to provide financial assistance to organizations that directly support survivors of these crimes. OVW was established to reduce violence against women and administer grant programs that support communities in developing effective responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. This particular grant program continues OVW’s commitment to funding initiatives that promote survivor safety, justice, and healing. The purpose of the program is to provide flexible financial assistance that directly addresses survivors’ self-identified needs, particularly those that traditional victim service programs may not be able to cover quickly or comprehensively. The grant allows organizations to allocate funds for necessities that support survivors in achieving safety and stability. By focusing on survivor-directed needs, this program aims to remove barriers to healing and promote long-term recovery and independence. The funding may be used to pay for essential expenses, though the notice emphasizes that it is supplemental to existing victim services rather than a replacement. The estimated total program funding is $3,900,000, with an award ceiling of $300,000 and an award floor of $290,000. Approximately 13 awards are expected to be made under this competition. Eligible applicants include certain nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. In addition, eligibility has been restricted to a specific set of organizations, including Women’s Rights Information Center, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc., Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Waypoint Services for Women, Children, and Families, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, Inc., The Sexual Assault Spouse Abuse Resource Center, Inc., Against Abuse, Inc., Helpmate, Inc., Sojourner Family Peace Center Inc., Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc., Safe Embrace, South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, Inc., and Family Crisis Center Inc. No cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. The application window opened on September 5, 2025, and the closing date for submissions is October 21, 2025. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov in accordance with the requirements of the NOFO. There are no pre-application requirements such as a Letter of Intent or Concept Paper indicated in the notice. Applications will be evaluated based on program guidelines and alignment with the funding priorities of OVW. Given the restricted eligibility, only listed organizations should prepare submissions. For technical assistance regarding the application requirements, applicants may email OVW at OVW.FinancialAssistanceProgram@usdoj.gov or call 202-307-6026. TTY assistance is available at 202-307-2277. The current opportunity is active and accepting applications until the stated deadline. There is no indication in the notice whether this program will recur annually, but given the fiscal year designation, applicants should anticipate the potential for future cycles. The Financial Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program represents a targeted investment by the U.S. Department of Justice to address immediate financial needs that impact survivor safety and healing. Through this grant, OVW seeks to enhance the ability of trusted local, tribal, and nonprofit organizations to respond flexibly to survivors and provide them with the means to stabilize their lives. Organizations named as eligible applicants should carefully review the program description and ensure that their proposals reflect both the survivor-centered focus and the flexibility intended by OVW when administering this financial support.