The purpose of this program is to provide funding for violence prevention planning grants for communities, as well as funding for one-time costs to support and/or enhance existing violence prevention programs across Illinois. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) offers two tracks: Track 1 is for violence prevention planning and Track 2 is for one-time supports for existing violence prevention programs. Applicants can apply to both tracks. If an applicant applies for both tracks, the applicant must submit a separate application, narrative, and budget for each proposal.
Track 1: Violence Prevention Planning: Successful violence prevention planning will include active, multi-sector partnerships that support the identification of data-driven strategies to address specific risk factors for violence in the community. The purpose of a violence prevention plan is multifaceted, but, in summary, the plan will facilitate the engagement of many sectors including community residents; require the development of a unified vision and approach; utilize data to understand the community's violence related issues; and create concrete goals, objectives and performance measures to track progress. The resulting violence prevention plan should help the community prioritize violence prevention programming and funding. The plan may also be used to apply for any appropriate funding source, and therefore, it should not be developed for any specific funding source. The plan must include individual, family, and community strategies for addressing at least two forms of violence at each of the three levels: universal, selected and indicated.
Track 2: One-time Supports for Existing Violence Prevention Programming: Applicants may submit a request for one-time supports for existing violence prevention programming that will enhance or expand the current program environment.
For the purposes of this solicitation, we employ a broad definition of violence prevention program” which may consist of any programming that addresses the protective factors and/or risk factors for children, youth, adults, families and communities at risk for being harmed by, or using, violence. Activities may include early childhood, parent engagement, after-school and recreational programming that supports participants' development of pro-social and conflict resolution skills. It may also include additional activities such as mentoring, tutoring, and group activities that support participants' success in educational and social domains.