The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York is proud to announce Imagine Nonviolence (IN), a new effort to support community-based organizations that are working toward safer, healthier communities through programs to raise awareness of firearm safety, reduce gun violence, and equip community members with needed skills.
As of February 2024, nearly 5,000 people have died as a result of gun injuries in the United States in this year alone. This statistic is a tragic reminder that firearm violence is a leading cause of premature death in our country and a public health emergency. Despite the discouraging data—or rather, because of the data—we must continue to use targeted outreach and bold action to find solutions.
Across western and central New York, community organizations are working to promote nonviolence and safety for all residents. Imagine Nonviolence: Close the Gap was created to help increase the effectiveness of programs that are funded by local, state, or federal government.
Public funding is a tremendous resource, but often does not cover certain costs such as training supplies, partner stipends, participant incentives, etc. IN will provide grants of up to $5,000 to supplement public funds to help increase program effectiveness and reach. Our goal is to learn alongside community partners, find cost-effective ways to improve outcomes, and share what we learn with government funders.
Available Funding: Organizations may apply for up to $5,000 to support an existing firearm safety and/or gun violence prevention program. The Health Foundation will support up to ten programs in western and central New York.
Allowable expenses: Funding must be used to strengthen the delivery of an existing program, and cover expenses that cannot be charged to the program’s primary funding source.
Who is eligible to apply:
• Must be a 501c3 community-based organization. This includes health systems, clinical providers, academic institutions, and other community-based organizations.
• Must currently be managing a government-funded program that addresses gun violence and risk of injury from a firearm.
• Must be serving at least one of the following sixteen counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Cortland, Erie, Genesee, Herkimer, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Tompkins, Orleans, Wyoming.
Application Information:
Download an editable application form here (opens as Microsoft Word document). Applications should be submitted by email to: RFA@hfwcny.org
This Request for Applications will remain open until Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed as they are coming in, and we may reach out for additional information prior to June 5th. We anticipate that decisions will be made by June 28, 2024.
