Strategic Plan

A Black person holding a megaphone aloft in their right hand and speaking into.a microphone with their left hand. Their back is to the camera, and they are on a bridge with a large number of people.

Introduction

This Strategic Plan outlines how End Community Violence Now (ECVN) is building Delaware’s coordinated, statewide approach to reducing community gun violence. As Delaware’s backbone organization for Community Violence Intervention, ECVN unites community organizations, government agencies, healthcare systems, philanthropy, and the private sector around a shared, evidence-based strategy. Through strategy, coordination, fundraising, grantmaking, advocacy, education, and research & evaluation, this plan guides how we strengthen the infrastructure necessary to break cycles of violence and create lasting safety across Delaware.

Our Theory of Change

Building the Infrastructure That Makes Violence Reduction Possible

Community gun violence is a complex public health issue that cannot be solved by isolated programs or short-term funding. ECVN’s Theory of Change recognizes that sustainable violence reduction requires strong infrastructure, shared accountability, and continuous learning.

To achieve population-level impact, ECVN advances community gun violence reduction through seven core, interconnected functions:

Theory of Change infographic outlining the 7 core functions

The 7 Core Functions of ECVN

  1. Strategy
    Establishing shared statewide priorities, goals, and long-term direction for community gun violence reduction.
  2. Coordination
    Serving as the central hub that aligns local organizations, public agencies, healthcare systems, and funders around a common agenda—reducing fragmentation and duplication.
  3. Fundraising
    Securing and diversifying sustainable public and private investment to support evidence-based violence prevention and intervention efforts.
  4. Grantmaking
    Regranting resources to community-based organizations implementing proven strategies that reach individuals and communities at highest risk of gun violence.
  5. Advocacy
    Advancing data-informed policies that address root causes of violence, strengthen prevention infrastructure, and ensure long-term public investment.
  6. Education
    Building shared knowledge, professional standards, and capacity across the CVI ecosystem through training, convening, and technical assistance.
  7. Research & Evaluation (New – 7th Edition)
    Developing shared data systems, evaluation frameworks, and research partnerships to measure impact, inform strategy, strengthen accountability, and continuously improve violence prevention efforts statewide.

Why Research & Evaluation Matters

Turning Data Into Action—and Action Into Results

Research and evaluation are not add-ons—they are essential to effective violence prevention. ECVN integrates research and evaluation into every part of the ecosystem to:

  • Establish shared metrics and baseline data
  • Track progress and outcomes across programs and geographies
  • Support evidence-based decision-making
  • Demonstrate impact to communities, policymakers, and funders
  • Adapt strategies based on real-time learning

Through partnerships with academic institutions and ecosystem partners, ECVN ensures Delaware’s violence prevention efforts are grounded in evidence, transparency, and continuous improvement.

How This Leads to Impact

From Coordination to Community Safety

By strengthening these seven functions simultaneously, ECVN creates the conditions necessary for measurable reductions in community gun violence:

  • More effective, aligned interventions
  • Increased and sustained funding for proven strategies
  • Stronger, professionalized community organizations
  • Better data to guide prevention and policy
  • A unified statewide response that centers community voice

ECVN focuses on building the ecosystem that makes violence reduction possible—so frontline organizations can do what they do best, at scale, and with lasting impact.

Accountability & Learning

Built to Measure, Learn, and Improve

ECVN uses a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework to track progress, share results transparently, and adapt strategy over time. This ensures our work remains responsive to community needs while maintaining clear accountability to partners, funders, and the public.

Call to Action

Ending Community Gun Violence Requires All of Us

Whether you are a community partner, policymaker, funder, or advocate—there is a role for you in building a safer Delaware.

👉 Partner with us.
👉 Invest in the ecosystem.
👉 Learn how coordinated violence prevention works.

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