Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund

Purpose
In the fall of 2022, $15,000 from the SET Fund will be available for proposals that build community engagement and partnership in ongoing violence intervention efforts; and/or provide support to youth and young adults who are at high risk of violent victimization or offending.

Eligibility

• For this grant opportunity, the Community Foundation will accept applications from nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status.

Ineligible Activities

• Fundraising events and activities
• Religious activities: contact program officer for clarification
• Expenses for projects and programs that have already occurred.

Maximum Request Amount
$5,000

Duration of Contract 
Funding can be used anytime throughout 2023.

Deadline
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. CST.

Grantmaking Equity Statement
The Community Foundation is committed to ensuring equity in our grantmaking strategy. Review the Grantmaking Equity Statement adopted by the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors here.

Informational Q & A Session
On October 20, Program Officer Casey Baustian will hold a Q & A session via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Prospective applicants are encouraged to join to learn more about the SET Fund and this grant opportunity. To join the session, click here.

Application
Download SET Fund Application Packet
Application should be submitted via email to casey.baustian@gcrcf.org.

Questions? Contact
Contact Casey Baustian at 319.774.2378 or casey.baustian@gcrcf.org.

About the SET Fund
The Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities (SET) Fund was established in 2018 through a partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and the Cedar Rapids Community School District to address inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids. Grants from this fund work toward creating a safe, equitable and thriving community. The fund has supported programs that approach systemic causes of economic, racial, and academic disparities and/or aims to avoid, reduce, or stop high risk behaviors that can lead to involvement with the criminal justice system. Since its inception, the fund has granted more than $677,000 in support of 24 community-based programs and projects.

In 2020, the SET Fund received a grant from an anonymous donor to increase the funding pool for local nonprofits and implement Group Violence Intervention (GVI) in Cedar Rapids. GVI, developed by the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC), is an evidence-based approach that creates a network of care for those most impacted by violence.The GVI strategy brings community members together with law enforcement and social service providers to focus an antiviolence message on highly active street groups. GVI focuses on the groups at highest risk for violent victimization and offending, with the intention to keep them alive, safe, and out of prison. The GVI partnership, which includes law enforcement, community representatives, and social service providers, communicates directly with group members, conveying a powerful community message about disapproval for violence and in support of community aspirations; concrete opportunities for both immediate and longer-term assistance and support; and clear prior notice of the legal risks associated with continued violence. The partnership then delivers swiftly on these commitments.

To learn more about the Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund, click here.

NOTE: The Community Foundation maintains strict standards to uphold the integrity of the grantmaking process. Our conflict of interest policy applies to grant committees, board and staff requiring recusals in cases of conflict of interest. The Community Foundation review processes are methodical and transparent, with scoring tools for competitive grant applications available in the online applications.