DA Krasner Announces First Round of Violence Prevention Grant Awards to Community-Based Groups

PHILADELPHIA (May 10, 2021) – District Attorney Larry Krasner today was honored to announce the awarding of $125,000 in grant money to five community-based organizations in support of violence prevention efforts. This first round of grants ($25,000 for each organization) is awarded to the following groups: The Institute for the Development of African American Youth (IDAAY), Give and Go Athletics, Black Women in Sport Foundation, Savage Sisters Recovery, and Mighty Writers.

These groups provide critical support to communities through work that includes youth mentoring, sports and other extracurricular activities, improving literacy skills, and trauma-informed treatment for people suffering from substance use disorder — the fundamentals of violence and crime prevention.

"We all know that the most effective way to prevent crime, including violent crime, is by providing resources to the communities hardest hit by violence and other crime," said DA Krasner. "While this funding will help these groups in their vitally important work, I also reiterate my call on our public, private, and academic leaders to partner and invest, at minimum, $100 million to address our city's top public health problem, gun violence. We must heed the fierce urgency of now and work together because many lives, including the lives of our children, depend on our doing so."

"Getting this infusion of cash increases our ability to reach and impact juveniles in a positive and constructive manner," said Greg Thompson, IDAAY Clean and Green Project Manager. "I'm grateful to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office for their commitment to community investment and for lifting up groups like IDAAY and others who are doing prevention work every day."

This grant funding, derived from the lawful and appropriate use of civil asset forfeiture, will be distributed and audited by the Philadelphia Foundation. The DAO anticipates announcing the next round of awards in 30 to 60 days. Groups interested in applying for future violence prevention funding are strongly encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Foundation at GrantmakingServices@philafound.org.