Violence Against Women Act Grant Program (VAWA) Culturally Specific Set-Aside Community Based Victim Service Program 2025 Request for Proposals

The Violence Against Women Act Culturally Specific Set-Aside Community Based Victim Service Program is administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. This office serves as the state’s lead justice planning and assistance entity, responsible for distributing state and federal criminal justice funding and supporting program development, evaluation, and best practices. The grant originates from the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women and is part of the federal STOP VAWA program, which is designed to improve responses to violent crimes against women. The culturally specific set-aside ensures that a portion of funds is directed toward organizations that serve racial and ethnic minority communities through culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate services. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support community-based programs that deliver culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Eligible activities must align with federally defined purpose areas, including strengthening victim services, enhancing law enforcement and judicial responses, improving coordination among agencies, and expanding services for underserved populations. Projects are expected to demonstrate collaboration among key stakeholders such as law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, and victim service providers. Funding may be used to develop or expand programs, improve service delivery, and enhance community response systems, but it cannot be used for activities that compromise victim safety, such as policies that limit access to services or violate confidentiality protections. Funding is provided as a reimbursement grant, meaning recipients must incur allowable expenses and submit quarterly reports to receive payment. Applicants may request up to 60000 dollars for a 12 month project period running from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. The program imposes specific fiscal and administrative requirements, including adherence to federal cost principles, submission of audit documentation, maintenance of financial systems such as a general ledger, and compliance with cost limits for certain items like equipment and travel. Conference planning costs are not permitted, and all expenditures must be reasonable, necessary, and directly related to the approved project. Eligibility is limited to community-based organizations whose primary purpose is providing culturally specific services to victims of violence, or those that can partner with organizations possessing such expertise. These organizations must focus on underserved populations and demonstrate the capacity to deliver culturally responsive services. Examples include faith-based organizations serving specific communities, culturally focused health centers, and programs addressing language barriers. Organizations that only have a culturally specific division but do not have it as their primary purpose are not eligible. Applicants must also form a collaboration board with representatives from relevant sectors to guide and support project implementation. The application process requires submission through the OCJS Grants Management System and includes multiple components such as a problem statement, project description, sustainability plan, objectives, timeline, organizational capacity details, collaboration board documentation, and a detailed budget. Applicants must also upload required attachments including audit reports and collaboration commitment letters. A voluntary bidders training webinar is offered to assist applicants, and technical assistance is available through designated program contacts. Applications are evaluated through a three tiered review process involving compliance checks, peer and expert review, and final approval by agency leadership. The application deadline is August 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced prior to the start of the project period in January 2027. Selected applicants must complete pre award conditions including submission of compliance forms, registration in federal systems, and documentation of policies related to confidentiality, workplace conduct, and background checks. Ongoing reporting requirements include quarterly reimbursement reports and an annual performance report. While the program is expected to recur annually as part of federal VAWA funding cycles, future funding is subject to federal guidance and policy updates.

Ensure strong collaboration with justice partners demonstrate culturally specific service expertise align project with state implementation plan and provide clear data driven problem statements