Benton County Gang and Crime Prevention Grant Initiative

The Benton County Gang and Crime Prevention Initiative is a locally funded public safety grant program administered by Benton County, Washington. It is supported through a voter-approved Public Safety Sales Tax, originally established in 2014 and later extended permanently following a 2023 ballot measure. The initiative is designed to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing gang-related activity and broader criminal behavior across Benton County. The County allocates a portion of its tax revenue to support external organizations that can implement effective prevention and intervention programs aligned with these goals. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit proposals from qualified organizations capable of designing and implementing programs that directly contribute to gang and crime prevention. The initiative prioritizes programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes, utilize evidence-based practices, and address clearly defined public safety needs within the community. Funding may support new initiatives, expansions of existing programs, or the continuation of previously funded efforts, provided they align with the overarching mission of reducing crime and enhancing public safety outcomes. Funding for this cycle totals 1.8 million dollars, with individual applicants eligible to request up to 600,000 dollars for a two-year project period. All awarded contracts will run from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. Funds are distributed on a cost-reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must incur and document expenses before receiving payment. The County may also provide additional non-financial support such as technical assistance or data-sharing when appropriate. Funds must be used strictly for approved program purposes and cannot be reserved for future use beyond the contract scope. Eligibility for this grant includes nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and other tax-exempt organizations recognized under 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status. Applicants must be in good standing and registered to conduct business in Washington State. While organizations do not need to be physically headquartered in Benton County, all proposed programs must operate within the county and primarily serve its residents. Programs must clearly demonstrate a central focus on crime or gang prevention and include measurable performance indicators to track success. The application process requires submission of a completed proposal form along with supporting documentation, including financial records, budgets, resumes of key personnel, and required compliance forms such as non-discrimination, non-collusion, and debarment certifications. Applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format via email. In addition to the written submission, applicants are required to participate in an oral presentation before the County Commissioners or a designated selection committee. Evaluation of proposals is based on a structured scoring system totaling 100 points. Criteria include alignment with public safety objectives, demonstrated community need, evidence of program effectiveness, leveraging of additional resources, and organizational capacity to execute the proposed work. Following review and scoring, recommendations are made to the County Commissioners, who make final funding decisions. Award notifications are expected in July 2026, shortly after the evaluation process concludes. The application timeline begins with the release of the request for proposals on May 12, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Oral presentations are anticipated in mid-July, followed by funding decisions and contract negotiations. Interested applicants may direct questions to the designated county contact. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, though it reflects a structured program tied to ongoing public safety funding streams.

Focus on clearly defined measurable outcomes; demonstrate strong alignment with public safety goals; provide evidence-based approaches; show organizational capacity and leveraged funding sources