Supporting Grassroots Efforts and Capacity to Address Firearm Injury and Death (FID) Prevention

The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is offering a funding opportunity to support grassroots organizations engaged in the prevention of firearm injury and death (FID). This initiative aims to strengthen local community violence interventions (CVI) and firearm suicide prevention (FSP) programs by providing general operating support. MFH's holistic approach addresses various types of firearm injuries and deaths including homicide, suicide, and unintentional incidents. The foundation emphasizes strengthening stakeholder networks, boosting organizational capacity, and supporting efforts that are informed by the lived experiences of impacted communities. This funding opportunity will provide $25,000 per year over two years, totaling $50,000 per grantee. Eligible activities may include community events, services that promote healing and mental health, advocacy by individuals with lived experience, basic needs support for victims and their families, and technical infrastructure improvements. The program particularly encourages initiatives that avoid reliance on criminal justice or law enforcement frameworks and prioritize community-driven solutions. Applicants are expected to articulate how the funding will enhance their operational capacity and contribute to long-term goals. Applicants must be nonprofit or governmental entities that meet MFH funding criteria. Organizations already receiving MFH funding for FSP or FID efforts are not eligible. Preference is given to grassroots organizations with annual budgets under $1 million, especially those embedded within communities impacted by gun violence. Groups led by individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted, provided that documentation from both the applicant and sponsor is submitted. The application process includes submitting a one-page acknowledgment form, a three-page narrative responding to five key questions, signed memoranda of agreement for any partners, financial documents (including balance sheet, income statement, and current budget), a conflicts of interest disclosure, and a fiscal sponsor agreement if applicable. Applications must be submitted via MFH’s online portal by noon Central on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The anticipated award notification is scheduled for November 2025. Applicants with questions regarding the application process or eligibility can contact Jessi LaRose at jlarose@mffh.org or Marcel Scaife at mscaife@mffh.org. For technical support with the online application system, Wendy Rohrbach can be reached at wrohrbach@mffh.org or (314) 345-5504. This grant reflects MFH’s broader mission of eliminating health inequities and transforming systems through strategic investment and community collaboration.