NICJR Giving Initiative

Geographic Scope: 13 US cities and counties including Oakland CA, Washington DC, Milwaukee MN, Indianapolis IN, Baltimore MD, Columbus OH, Jackson MS, Portland OR, Knoxville TN, Birmingham AL, Atlanta GA, Memphis TN, and Southern Pike County MS

Total Awards (as of December 2025): More than $5.17 million distributed

Funding Sources: Ballmer Group, Langeloth Foundation, Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative, Public Welfare Foundation, Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Walmart Foundation, Bureau of Justice Assistance (federal), and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (federal)

Focus Areas

• Community violence intervention
• Gun violence reduction
• Support to grassroots organizations
• Support to families of justice-system-involved youth
• Violence reduction initiatives

Key Programs

Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS)

• Established 2022
• Partners: NICJR, Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, Community Based Public Safety Collective, Cities United
• More than $2 million in awards to 21 organizations
• Focus cities: Baltimore, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Oakland
• Provides training and technical assistance to community violence intervention organizations

Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI)

• Launched 2024
• Funded by federal Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance
• Selected five community-based organizations nationally
• Award amount: $250,000 per grantee
• Focus: Implement or expand effective community violence intervention strategies for individuals at highest risk of gun violence involvement

Award Examples by Jurisdiction

• Oakland, CA: $1,555,250 to 7 grantees (plus family giving)
• Washington, DC: $655,000 to 8 grantees
• Milwaukee, MN: $500,000 to 5 grantees
• Indianapolis, IN: $760,000 to 8 grantees
• Baltimore, MD: $580,000 to 3 grantees
• Columbus, OH: $250,000 to 1 grantee
• Jackson, MS: $250,000 to 1 grantee
• Portland, OR: $250,000 to 1 grantee
• Knoxville, TN: $135,000 to 2 grantees
• Birmingham, AL: $100,000 to 1 grantee
• Atlanta, GA: $70,000 to 5 grantees
• Memphis, TN: $50,000 to 1 grantee
• Southern Pike County, MS: $10,000 to 1 grantee

Eligibility & Target Organizations

• Grassroots organizations working on community violence intervention
• Organizations serving system-involved youth and young adults
• Organizations serving families of justice-system-involved or at-risk youth
• Community-based nonprofits implementing violence reduction strategies

What They Fund

• Direct services to at-risk youth and young adults
• Community violence intervention programs
• Violence interrupter positions
• Facility renovations and operational improvements
• Intensive mentoring and case management
• Financial incentive stipends for participants
• Family financial assistance
• Life coaching and family services

Contact Information

For CVIPI and other Giving Initiative inquiries: Contact through nicjr.org