STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant

The State of Maine Department of Public Safety, in partnership with the Justice Assistance Council (JAC), has announced the availability of funds under the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. This program, administered under RFA# 202506089, is aimed at supporting Maine communities in strengthening law enforcement and prosecution strategies in cases involving violent crimes against women, and in enhancing victim services. The STOP program operates under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and has been overseen in Maine by the Department of Public Safety since 1995. The program encourages a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on the collaboration of law enforcement, judicial entities, victim services providers, and prosecutors. The program funds projects that increase the capacity of Maine's criminal justice system and advocacy services to effectively respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Funds may be used for personnel, training, data collection, equipment, and technical assistance that directly support victim services or criminal justice interventions. The grant explicitly prohibits the use of funds for public awareness campaigns, curriculum development, lobbying, construction, and certain interventions that could compromise victim safety. STOP funding must align with at least one of twenty-four federal purpose areas and be consistent with Maine’s six priority areas outlined in the state’s STOP Implementation Plan. More information is available on the Department’s website. The total anticipated funding for FY2025 is approximately $1,090,237, allocated as follows: $327,071 for victim services, $272,559 each for law enforcement and prosecution, $54,512 for courts, and $163,536 as discretionary funding not open to direct applications. At least 10% of the victim services funding must be distributed to culturally specific community-based organizations. The anticipated performance period for these awards is from November 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Applicants must provide a 33% match unless they qualify for an exemption, such as being a tribal entity or victim services provider. Eligible applicants include Maine-based law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecution offices, nonprofit victim service organizations, culturally specific organizations, community-based organizations, and faith-based groups. Documentation proving nonprofit or public status is required at submission. Applicants must not have outstanding debts or delinquent reports due to the Department of Public Safety. All proposed projects must clearly select a funding category corresponding to the type of work planned. Projects must also include a signed Consultation/Collaboration Agreement unless the applicant is a victim service provider. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to proposals@maine.gov by 11:59 p.m. local time on August 12, 2025. Questions regarding the RFA must be submitted by July 18, 2025, to the RFA Coordinator, Michelle Morse, at Michelle.Morse@maine.gov. Required components include a completed Application Form, Certification of Out-of-Scope Activities Form, and a Consultation/Collaboration Agreement Form. Application submissions must adhere to strict formatting and delivery instructions, with all attachments included in a single PDF file. Proposals will be reviewed by a qualified evaluation team using a consensus-based scoring method. Applications will be assessed on eligibility (pass/fail), qualifications and experience (30 points), proposed project (40 points), and budget (30 points). Applications will be ranked within each funding category and awarded in descending score order, contingent on funding availability. The final contract period will be confirmed post-award and upon completion of the contracting process, with no awards considered effective until at least 14 days following the award announcement.

Clearly select one funding category; collaboration forms should be detailed and signed