Polis Administration & Division of Criminal Justice Announce nearly $30 Million in Crime Victim Services Federal Grants to Support Victims and Survivors of Crime

LAKEWOOD - Today, Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announce the availability of nearly $30 million in Crime Victim Services (CVS) Federal Grant Program Funds. The deadline to apply is March 17, 2025. These funds will support critical programs dedicated to the physical and emotional recovery of crime victims.

Funding will be distributed across three key sources:

• Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) - $26 million
• S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - $2.9 million
• Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) - $900,000

"Colorado is committed to making our communities safer and an important part of that plan is providing resources and support to victims of crime. This funding will support organizations that provide the services Coloradans need most, helping people get back on their feet and creating safer communities," said Governor Jared Polis.

The CVS Federal Grant Program funds projects that offer direct services to crime victims, including crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, and community-based initiatives. The program emphasizes culturally responsive, victim-centered approaches to addressing inequities in service access and delivery.

Eligible applicants include local and state government agencies, tribal governments, nonprofit victim services organizations, and statewide crime victim coalitions.

"Our commitment to supporting crime victims and empowering the organizations that serve them is unwavering," Matthew Lunn, director of the Division of Criminal Justice. "Crime Victim Services Grants are a cornerstone of this effort and ensure that nonprofit organizations, community programs, and local agencies can continue their vital work of creating safer, more resilient communities across Colorado."

Grants awarded will cover a one-year period, running from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Each agency will receive a single grant agreement for the entire year. Applicants must apply for specific funding sources (VOCA, VAWA, or SASP) and demonstrate their capacity to meet federal and state grant requirements. To support the application process, the DCJ will host webinars and in-person training sessions throughout January and February 2025. Detailed resources, including the application and instructions on its website.

March 17, 2025: Application submission deadline.

Summer 2025: Funding decisions announced.

January 1, 2026: Grant-funded projects begin.

Projects funded through the CVS Federal Grant will be evaluated by DCJ's Office for Victims Programs (OVP) team and members of the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board (CVSAB). Criteria is based on a defined set of criteria, including eligibility, organizational capacity, demonstrated need, victim-centered services, impact, and collaboration. Applications from organizations serving communities disproportionately impacted by violence and those addressing barriers to accessing crisis intervention resources are encouraged to apply.

For a list of requirements and further details, visit the Crime Victim Services grant web page for more details.

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