Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department is now accepting applications for its 2025 Violence Reduction Grants program, a vital initiative aimed at combating violence through community-driven efforts. With $150,000 allocated to fund local projects, the city is seeking partnerships with organizations focused on preventing violence, intervening in high-risk situations, and reducing violence across Bloomington.
The grants, which are a key part of the city’s broader efforts to address violence, are designed to support neighborhood-based organizations and initiatives that take a proactive, evidence-driven approach. These grants are a response to the growing need for local solutions to issues such as retaliatory violence and youth involvement in crime. By offering this funding, Bloomington hopes to empower the very communities that are most affected by violence to take action and drive change from within.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, faith-based communities, resident councils, neighborhood associations, and other groups that have a direct connection to the Bloomington community. The city is particularly interested in organizations that have a track record of working on crime intervention, with an emphasis on those addressing retaliatory violence and youth involvement in criminal activities. In fact, applications that feature collaboration among two or more partners will be given priority, as the city seeks to foster cooperation and create more holistic solutions to violence.
“By supporting programs that are led by the community, we are not only addressing the immediate impacts of violence but also investing in long-term, sustainable change,” said Charles Culp, the City of Bloomington Ambassador Program Manager. “We want to ensure that the grants reach those who are best positioned to make a real difference and who have experience working directly with the most vulnerable members of our community.”
A notable feature of this year’s Violence Reduction Grants is the emphasis on data-driven strategies and the inclusion of the Heading Home of South Central Indiana’s Built for Zero initiative. Agencies that incorporate this initiative, which focuses on housing stability as a key element of violence prevention, will be prioritized for funding. This approach recognizes that stable housing is essential not only for individuals but also for preventing cycles of violence that often occur when housing instability is a factor.
The city is also requiring all grant recipients to be actively involved in Region 10 Coordinated Entry and the South Central Housing Network’s Regional Planning Council. This ensures that funded programs are integrated into the broader community framework for housing stability and violence reduction, providing a unified and coordinated approach to the city’s efforts.
Applications for the 2025 Violence Reduction Grants are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 1. Once applications are reviewed, grant awards will be announced no later than Friday, August 29. Programs funded through this initiative will begin their work on or after September 1, 2025.
Those interested in applying for the grant or learning more about the program can visit the City of Bloomington’s official website at bton.in/VRG2025. If there are any questions or for additional information, Charles Culp is available to assist applicants. He can be reached by phone at 812-349-3430 or via email at [email protected].
With these grants, the City of Bloomington is taking an active role in addressing violence through collaborative, community-driven efforts. As organizations come together to focus on prevention and intervention, the city aims to create a safer, more stable environment for its residents, reducing violence in the long term while providing opportunities for those affected to rebuild their lives.
