State Violence Prevention Grant Program

The State Violence Prevention Grant Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) through its Office of Violence Prevention (OVP). This initiative was launched under Executive Order #254 on January 14, 2025, to advance violence and gun violence prevention efforts throughout Wisconsin. Funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, the program intends to provide up to $10 million in grants to eligible organizations committed to reducing violence through evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies, with a focus on communities disproportionately impacted by violence. The grant program supports five major categories of initiatives: Suicide Prevention and Firearm Storage Grants; Evidence-Based Violence Intervention and Outreach Programs; Criminal Justice-Based Initiatives; Domestic Violence Prevention Initiatives; and School-Based Programming. Each category permits a range of activities such as hospital-based violence interventions, community outreach, firearm safety education, public awareness campaigns, and school-based mentoring programs. Applicants may submit proposals for multiple categories, provided each is submitted separately. Eligible applicants include a broad array of entities operating in Wisconsin since at least January 1, 2024, and registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. These include nonprofit organizations, local and state government agencies, school districts, hospitals, institutions of higher education, firearm retailers and ranges, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Individuals, lobbying organizations, political entities, and federal government agencies are not eligible to apply. The application process is managed entirely online via DocuSign. Applicants must submit separate applications per program category, including a narrative, budget, and supporting attachments such as an IRS W-9 and any relevant subcontract materials. Applications are due by January 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM CDT. A webinar for applicants is scheduled for December 11, 2025, and questions will be accepted until December 17, 2025. Evaluation will be conducted by a committee using a 100-point scoring system evenly distributed across five criteria: applicant mission, organizational experience, proposed services, populations served, and the estimated number of Wisconsin residents served. Awards are expected to be announced in February 2026, with grant agreements finalized by March 2026. All program activities and spending must be completed by December 31, 2026, and grantees are required to submit periodic progress reports documenting expenditures and impact. The program does not allow for certain expenses, including capital expenditures, lobbying, or costs reimbursed by other sources. All applicants must comply with federal and state regulations, including nondiscrimination provisions and recordkeeping requirements. The Wisconsin DOA reserves the right to audit grant recipients and will monitor compliance with all terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Agreement.

Applicants should provide detailed responses for each narrative section and align proposed programming with defined category objectives. Include measurable outcomes and cite community impact.