Consolidated Grief Support and Gun-Violence Prevention Mini-Grant

The Consolidated Grief Support and Gun-Violence Prevention Mini-Grant is a funding opportunity managed by the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) within the Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia. ONSE’s mission is to reduce gun-related violence in the District by building partnerships and implementing strategic interventions. The agency consists of divisions focused on Violence Intervention (VI) and Family Survivor Support (FSS), each aiming to address the root causes and impacts of gun violence within Washington, D.C. This grant program is designed to support organizations working directly with youth aged 8-17 and young adults aged 18-35 who are at the highest risk of violence and may be resistant to or ineligible for other services. There are two distinct funding tracks under this opportunity: Track I funds organizations offering grief and bereavement support (including therapeutic arts, wellness activities, peer support, and grief counseling), while Track II funds those working in violence prevention (including behavioral services, mentoring, conflict resolution, and youth leadership initiatives). Applicants must choose one track and cannot apply for both. Grant funding is made available through local (District) funds rather than federal sources, and is intended to provide resources and technical assistance for program implementation. For Track I (Grief and Bereavement Support), organizations can apply for up to $100,000, while Track II (Violence Prevention) allows for awards up to $150,000. However, individual applicants may request up to $10,000 to support their proposed activities, with ONSE reserving the right to increase the amount based on application strength or decrease the number of awards as appropriate. The program anticipates distributing up to 25 grants in total, and all awarded activities and expenditures must occur within the funding period of August 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025. There is potential for extension of up to 12 months, dependent on performance and funding availability. Eligible applicants include public, community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit entities (no profit allowed in budget), and faith-based organizations, provided they are based in or have service locations within the District of Columbia and have operated for at least two years prior to application. All applicants must serve District residents, show a proven track record in community engagement and service delivery, and provide all required documents. Required attachments include a Certificate of Clean Hands from DC’s Office of Tax and Revenue, IRS W-9, business license, financial statements, applicable staff licenses or certifications, staff resumes and job descriptions, board of directors list, certificate of insurance, legal disclosures, certificate of good standing, federal cost rate agreement (if applicable), and two letters of recommendation. The submission process is fully online, requiring applications via ONSE’s grants management system (ZoomGrants) by July 22, 2025 at 8:00 pm EST. Only submissions through ZoomGrants will be considered, and late applications are not accepted. A virtual information session is scheduled for July 8, 2025 from 2–3pm, providing an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and receive further clarification. Evaluation is based on four criteria: organizational capacity (20 points), project proposal (40 points), evaluation and sustainability (20 points), and budget and financial management (20 points), for a total of 100 points. Proposals must address organizational alignment with ONSE’s mission, demonstrate experience with the target population, detail the recruitment process, outline proposed activities and timelines, describe the sustainability plan, and justify the proposed budget. Applications scoring 50 points or below will not be eligible for funding. Selected grantees are required to report on performance and financial outcomes using ONSE-provided tools, with specific reporting deadlines following each month of the award period. The grant includes strict requirements regarding allowable costs, documentation, and procurement practices. Non-allowable costs include alcohol, fines, penalties, fundraising, lobbying, illegal activities, land purchases, and vehicles. Indirect costs are capped at 10% unless the applicant has a federally negotiated rate. All staff supported by the grant must undergo background checks. ONSE retains the right to conduct site visits, make final award decisions, reduce or cancel funding, or adjust program terms as needed. All applicants are also required to make disclosures about legal actions, debarments, and other DC government grants/contracts. The primary contact for questions and additional information is ONSE@dc.gov.

Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process early and ensure all required documents are uploaded. Late applications will not be considered.