End Community Violence Now Announces Applications Are Open For Grassroots Community Violence Intervention Fellowship Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2026

Contact:
Barry Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 609-414-8890

End Community Violence Now Announces Applications Are Open For Grassroots Community Violence Intervention Fellowship Grant

Eligible nonprofits in Delaware can apply for up to $25,000 in funding and will receive 12 months of technical assistance such as strategic planning and nonprofit management

WILMINGTON — Today, End Community Violence Now (ECVN) announced that applications for the Grassroots Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Fellowship Grant are officially open. This new funding and capacity building initiative supports grassroots organizations working to reduce gun violence across Delaware. Beginning October 1, grantees will participate in a 12-month fellowship – an intensive, cohort-based curriculum, providing hands-on support in CVI, nonprofit management, and organizational development. This will be paired with up to $25,000 in funding for a specific community violence intervention or prevention project.

To be eligible for the fellowship program, organizations must be a registered nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organization serving the state of Delaware with an annual operating budget less than $500,000. Organizations applying for funding must focus on community violence intervention and/or prevention. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m.

“Across Delaware, grassroots organizations and credible messengers are doing some of the most important and difficult violence prevention work in our communities, often with limited resources and little sustained support,” said Dr. Lauren J. Footman, EdD executive director of ECVN. “This fellowship is designed to invest not only in programs, but in the long-term sustainability and leadership of grassroots community-based organizations. By pairing direct funding with intensive nonprofit management training, technical assistance, wellness supports, and evidence-informed CVI strategies, we are helping organizations strengthen their infrastructure, expand their impact, and build the capacity needed to serve communities for years to come.”

Through this 12-month fellowship program, grantees will receive tailored learning and technical assistance opportunities including: Theory of Change and Logic Models; Sustainability; Strategic Planning; Fundraising; Board Engagement; Financial Management, Compliance, and

Planning; and Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Models. Grantees will also have an opportunity to join a community of practice to exchange ideas and scale impact, build data capacity to measure and demonstrate outcomes, earn a certificate in nonprofit management essentials from University of Delaware, and complete a mental health curriculum that puts them on an accelerated path towards certification with Wilmington University.

The project funding can be used for:

● Capacity Building: providing training & certification, professional development, technical assistance, and/or mental health support for professionals; or

● Program Expansion: expanding existing evidence-informed or evidence-based programs to engage additional people at highest risk of gun violence.

“We are thrilled to offer this grant fellowship to organizations on the ground, leading life saving work in our communities,” said Danielle Fisher, Program Officer of ECVN. “This fellowship reflects our commitment to ensuring that grassroots organizations don’t just receive funding — they walk away with credentials, skills, and a network that will sustain their work long into the future. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for violence intervention and prevention across Delaware.”

At 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, ECVN will host an optional virtual information session to walk through the application process, eligibility criteria, and answer questions live. Individuals can register for the information session online. The information session will be recorded and shared on ECVN’s website within 72 hours. For questions regarding this funding opportunity, please contact [email protected].

Additional information, including how to apply for End Community Violence Now’s Grassroots Community Violence Intervention Fellowship Grant can be found online.

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End Community Violence Now (ECVN) is the state of Delaware’s community-based Office of Violence Prevention. This public-private partnership seeks to break the cycle of violence through coordinated and sustained investments in evidence-based programs. This includes community engagement and education campaigns, policy advocacy, stakeholder strategy, as well as offering technical assistance and grant-making support to local organizations on the ground doing the difficult, but necessary work. ECVN envisions a future where all Delawareans are safe from the rising threat of gun violence.