Prevent and Respond to Family and Domestic Violence Victimization and Perpetration Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services administers a competitive state-funded grant opportunity aimed at addressing family and domestic violence across the Commonwealth. This initiative reflects the agency’s broader mission to enhance public safety and support victims through coordinated, evidence-informed strategies. The funding opportunity is structured as a two-step process beginning with a concept proposal, followed by an invitation-only full application for selected applicants. The program is grounded in data demonstrating the widespread and multi-generational impacts of domestic violence, including economic instability, homelessness, and long-term trauma affecting individuals and communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that create measurable and meaningful progress in preventing, addressing, or responding to family and domestic violence. Applicants are expected to propose initiatives that “move the needle” by producing tangible outcomes, whether through prevention, intervention, or response strategies. Eligible activities may include public education, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling, shelter services, and programs designed to address perpetrators of violence. The program emphasizes both primary prevention efforts that stop violence before it occurs and secondary or tertiary interventions that mitigate harm after incidents have taken place. Funding is provided through state allocations and is distributed on a cost reimbursement basis for actual expenditures incurred during the grant period. The total program funding is up to 3500000 dollars, with individual awards not expected to exceed 400000 dollars for the full two-year project period. The grant period runs from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. There is no matching requirement, and continuation funding is not anticipated. However, applicants must adhere strictly to allowable cost guidelines, as certain expenses such as capital construction, vehicle purchases, firearms, lobbying, and indirect costs are prohibited. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes nonprofit organizations, local government entities, law enforcement agencies, and private organizations providing criminal justice or human services. Applicants must meet several administrative requirements, including maintaining a valid Unique Entity Identifier, being in good standing with state and federal agencies, and possessing appropriate licensing where applicable. Projects must demonstrate readiness, including evidence of community collaboration, staffing capacity, and clear plans for implementation and evaluation. Both new and existing programs may apply, though enhancements to existing programs must justify need and demonstrate prior success. The application process begins with submission of a concept proposal through the Online Grants Management System. This proposal must outline the organization’s background, the problem being addressed, the proposed project, and anticipated outcomes using measurable objectives. Following review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application, which includes detailed goals, objectives, and budget documentation. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program goals, feasibility, organizational capacity, and potential for measurable impact. Key deadlines include a concept proposal due date of July 20, 2026 at 12:00 noon and a final application deadline of September 21, 2026 at 12:00 noon. An optional informational webinar was offered on June 18, 2026 to assist prospective applicants. Award decisions are expected to be made by the Criminal Justice Services Board in December 2026. Successful applicants will be required to submit quarterly financial and progress reports and comply with all grant management and reporting requirements throughout the project period.

Ensure measurable outcomes align with program goals demonstrate strong community collaboration and clearly justify need and program readiness