John–
We are in the midst of a public health crisis. Gun violence is killing more than 110 people every day and wounding hundreds more. Entire communities are being traumatized.
Fortunately, community-based violence intervention organizations are on the frontlines. They're working to save lives and prevent these tragedies every day. And in so many cases, they're the ones making the biggest impact on the ground.
But they need urgent support. Many of these programs are struggling to keep up with this relentless crisis.
That's why earlier this month, the Everytown Community Safety Fund awarded $1.5 million in funding to 15 community-based 501(c)3 violence intervention organizations working in cities across the country.
This investment will provide a critical lifeline to programs working to end gun violence, and will help sustain their life-saving efforts. It will also help them unlock government, philanthropic, and corporate support at a time when they urgently need it.
In 2019, we created the Everytown Community Safety Fund with a $25 million commitment to provide direct investment and support to community-based 501(c)3 violence intervention organizations. Since then, we've already granted $7.15 million to 72 organizations in 57 cities implementing effective, community-based strategies to reduce gun violence.
For decades, these organizations have reduced violence through community safety measures that are locally driven and informed by data. They're led by community members who leverage the trust and credibility they've earned in their communities to identify and engage individuals who are at the highest risk of shooting and being shot.
But that's just one part of their life-saving work. Their approach has come to include not only street outreach, but also group violence intervention, crime prevention through environmental design, hospital-based violence intervention programs, safe passage programs, and youth-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
It's the kind of local action and organizing that saves lives.
The good news is Everytown is not alone in supporting these life-saving organizations. More cities and states are investing in them. And with the recent passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the federal government will be providing them with a targeted investment of $250 million over 5 years.
These local organizations play a huge role in the fight to end gun violence—but they can't do it alone. Learn more about how we're helping community-based violence intervention organizations.
Our work is far from over; in many ways, our work at the Everytown Community Safety Fund has only just begun. That's why we've committed to extending support to more community-based 501(c)3 violence intervention organizations over the next few years.
Because I know that if we continue to show up for the communities most impacted by gun violence, we can save lives.
Together, we can end this public health crisis.
Michael-Sean Spence
He/Him/His
Senior Director of Community Safety Initiatives
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
