Applications for the City of Bloomington Violence Reduction Grant now available

Bloomington, Indiana – In order to promote neighborhood-based initiatives in Bloomington that aim to prevent, intervene in, and reduce violence, Mayor John Hamilton has allocated $125,000 in financing. The new Community-Based Violence Reduction Grants will be managed by the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department and will be used to fund yearly investments in neighborhood-based agencies and organizations’ projects for the prevention of violence that are supported by research.

“Each neighborhood is unique. By utilizing the expertise and lived experiences of neighbors, we hope to make an impact on the specific challenges faced by residents in their neighborhoods,” said Beverly Calender-Anderson, Director of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department.

Non-profit groups, neighborhood councils, resident associations, and faith institutions that assist Bloomington neighborhoods are just a few examples of eligible candidates. Those applying are encouraged to do so if they have expertise in intervening in and addressing crime, particularly when it comes to retaliatory violence and youth-involved violence.

“All of us want to see violence reduced,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Amid the pandemic and the rising prevalence of guns, we’ve seen some disturbing trends in violence, especially gun violence, even in our relatively safe community of Bloomington. Addressing problems proactively is what this new grant program is about supporting neighborhoods and neighbors in creative and effective interventions to advance nonviolence and public safety.”

By providing this financing, grassroots organizations working to prevent violence will be better able to deliver supplies to those who need them most. The application will be strengthened through partnerships with two or more parties. Grant applications for up to $25,000 are accepted from qualified organizations.

You can access the application at https://bton.in/7XhkT. The deadline for submissions is this Thursday, June 15 at 5 p.m. Grant announcements must be made by July 30 in order for program implementation to start on September 1 or later.

Charles Culp, City of Bloomington After Hours Ambassador, can be reached at 812-349-3430 or [email protected] if you have any queries.