The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Launches Initiative to Support State, Local Leaders

CSGV's Safer States Initiative will provide funding and additional resources to strengthen gun violence prevention efforts across the country

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence is launching a new initiative to equip gun violence prevention leaders in states and communities across the country with the financial resources, policy expertise and capacity they need to continue to create equitable change.

The Safer States Initiative ([link removed]) is a project of that will leverage decades of relationships and expertise to provide state and local organizations with funding, one-on-one coaching, partnership building opportunities, leadership and advocacy skills development, access to resources and tools developed in collaboration with the country's leading GVP experts, and the ability to track progress and impact even when legislative victories are not yet attainable. The initiative will also advise philanthropists and foundations on how to invest in state and local gun violence efforts effectively and equitably.

"We can't continue to wait while Congress drags its heels on gun violence prevention legislation," said Josh Horwitz, executive director of CSGV. "Change in this country has been most meaningful and effective when it has been led by local efforts within the states. State and local organizations have secured some of the most important victories, saving lives in communities across the country, and yet they remain under-resourced and often isolated. It's our goal to change that with the Safer States Initiative. We are looking forward to not only supporting our partners' capacity growth, but also continuing our own equity journey in partnership with state and local organizations."

The initiative will support leaders and organizations in their efforts to secure political victories, develop impactful policies, ensure robust implementation of those policies and build organizational infrastructure and capacity. As a part of its capacity building efforts, the initiative will work closely with state and local organizations to develop strategies to recruit and advance Black and Brown staff and board members and create equitable policies, programs and partnerships in coordination with our existing Engaging Impacted Communities program.

"State and community-based GVP organizations are the bedrock of the movement," said Jen Pauliukonis, CSGV's director of policy and programming, who leads the Safer States Initiative.

As the initiative ([link removed]) expands beyond its pilot phase, CSGV is raising $1 million to match an incentive grant from an anonymous donor to support the initiative's efforts to invest in and equip state and local advocates and organizations to save lives and secure strategic, evidence-informed gun violence prevention policies.
















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