Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Grant Program

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Grant Program is a federally authorized funding initiative established through legislation signed into law in 1984. The program created the Crime Victims Fund, which is financed through fines and penalties imposed on convicted federal offenders rather than taxpayer dollars. The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office for Victims of Crime, distributes these funds to states based on a statutory formula. In Oklahoma, the District Attorneys Council serves as the State Administering Agency responsible for managing and distributing VOCA funds to eligible subrecipients across the state. The purpose of the VOCA Assistance Grant is to support direct services for victims of crime. These services are defined broadly to include efforts that respond to victims' emotional and physical needs, assist victims in stabilizing their lives after victimization, help them understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and provide a sense of safety and security. Funding is intended strictly for direct victim services and cannot be used for unrelated programmatic or administrative purposes outside the scope defined by federal VOCA regulations and state-level guidance. Funding decisions in Oklahoma are made by a nine-member VOCA Board, which reviews applications and allocates funds on a competitive basis annually. The Board is required by federal regulation to prioritize funding across four key service categories: child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and underserved victims, with each category receiving a minimum of ten percent of the total awarded funds. Underserved victims may include individuals affected by crimes such as DUI incidents, elder abuse, robbery, homicide, and fraud, among others. Eligible applicants for VOCA funding include nonprofit organizations, state agencies, local government entities such as cities and counties, and federally recognized tribal governments. All applicants must certify that awarded funds will be used exclusively for direct victim services. Additionally, most applicants are required to provide a 25 percent match, which may be in cash or in-kind contributions, while tribal governments are subject to a reduced match requirement of 5 percent. Applicants must also comply with programmatic and financial reporting requirements, utilize volunteers, and maintain detailed service and performance data. The application process is conducted online through the OGX system. Applicants must first register and receive approval before accessing the application portal. A valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), obtained through SAM.gov, is required for all applicants, and applications lacking this identifier will not be reviewed. Supporting materials, including guidance on allowable costs and a sample application, are available through official state resources to assist applicants in preparing compliant submissions. The 2026 funding cycle opened on December 23, 2025, with applications due by March 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applications submitted after the deadline are automatically rejected. Following submission, applications undergo a multi-stage review process from March through July, during which staff evaluate proposals and prepare recommendations for the VOCA Board. Final funding decisions are made during an in-person board meeting held in August, which includes applicant presentations and teleconference discussions. Awarded projects operate on a defined grant period from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Subrecipients must accept awards prior to the start of the grant cycle and participate in mandatory financial training sessions. Ongoing compliance includes monthly reimbursement requests, quarterly financial and performance reporting, and adherence to all administrative and procedural requirements established by the District Attorneys Council. Additional support and clarification are available through the VOCA program office, which provides direct contact via phone and email for applicant inquiries.

Ensure all eligibility requirements are met including UEI registration and match documentation; align proposal with priority victim categories; submit before deadline as late applications are automatically rejected