CVI Capacity Building and Implementation Program

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), through its Bureau of Grants and Purchasing and Office of Community Violence Intervention, has released a competitive Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) titled the CVI Capacity Building and Implementation Program. This state-funded initiative is designed to address firearm-related violence through coordinated, evidence-based and evidence-informed community violence intervention (CVI) strategies. The program reflects Michigan’s broader public health and public safety approach to reducing violence, emphasizing collaboration across community organizations, public agencies, and local stakeholders. The funding originates from state general funds and is administered through the MDHHS EGrAMS system. The primary purpose of this grant program is to support, implement, and strengthen CVI services that target individuals, groups, and communities with the highest likelihood of involvement in firearm violence. The program prioritizes high-need geographic areas including Berrien County (Benton Harbor/Benton Township), Genesee County (Flint), Ingham County (City of Lansing), Saginaw County, and Wayne County (City of Detroit). Applicants are expected to deploy strategies such as street outreach, violence interruption, hospital-based interventions, re-entry services, and crisis management, while integrating both public health and public safety frameworks. The program encourages multi-sector collaboration and data-informed decision-making to reduce violence and improve community outcomes. Funding under this opportunity totals $1,800,000, with an anticipated 6 to 8 awards ranging from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $500,000 per award. The grant period spans approximately 25 months, from September 1, 2026 through September 30, 2028. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. However, strict spending limitations apply, including prohibitions on capital construction, physical security infrastructure, vehicle purchases, academic research, and supplanting existing funding sources. Funds must be used exclusively for CVI-related capacity building and implementation activities aligned with program goals. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entity types such as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public and private entities, local health departments, universities, and federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations, including Urban Indian Health Clinics. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with program priorities, including serving high-risk populations, implementing evidence-based strategies, and maintaining the capacity to manage grant funds and reporting requirements. State employees are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The program also encourages collaborative partnerships among organizations to strengthen service delivery and address gaps in the CVI ecosystem. Applications must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS system. To access the application, organizations must complete registration and submit a project director request by June 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The final application deadline is June 18, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST, with technical assistance available until noon that same day. A pre-application conference was held on May 21, 2026, with additional opportunities for questions and clarification through a formal Q&A process. Applicants are required to submit a complete application package, including a 25-month budget and detailed program narrative aligned with evaluation criteria. The evaluation process is competitive and based on a 100-point scoring system, with a minimum score of 80 required for funding consideration. Criteria include program implementation (43 points), experience and past performance (13 points), staffing and training (15 points), education and qualifications (9 points), work plan (10 points), and budget (10 points). Reviewers assess factors such as applicant capacity, evidence-based strategy selection, community need, partnerships, and financial stability. MDHHS also considers geographic equity and may prioritize funding across all targeted regions. The timeline for the grant includes notification of award decisions by July 31, 2026, with final agreement execution and modifications due by August 7, 2026. Successful applicants must comply with ongoing reporting, evaluation, and program performance requirements throughout the grant period. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes, including contributing to a statewide reduction in firearm-related injuries and strengthening Michigan’s CVI infrastructure. This is a one-time funding opportunity, though future renewals may be considered at the discretion of MDHHS.

Emphasize measurable outcomes strong partnerships and evidence based CVI strategies; align proposal with geographic priorities and demonstrate capacity to manage grants