PHILADELPHIA (February 14, 2024) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the Philadelphia Foundation gathered at the West Kensington Ministry on Wednesday to announce the re-opening of the application process for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Violence Prevention Grant Program. Specifically, the DAO and Foundation are encouraging local, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations who provide supports to people in active addiction and those who are in recovery to apply for financial assistance.A report issued by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in October 2023 found that over 1,400 fatal overdoses—an 11% increase and a new record for our city—occurred in Philadelphia in 2022. The report also indicated that fatal overdoses are disproportionately impacting Black communities.
“The appropriate use of civil forfeiture means taking money away from drug dealers and other threats to the community,” said DA Krasner. “But we don’t stop there. This administration believes that in order to prevent drug addiction and violence, we must reinvest in the communities hardest hit by these public health and safety issues. That’s why we are strongly encouraging small, local community-based groups to apply for these funds. Let’s work together to make our city safer and healthier for everyone.”
“While they’re called micro grants, the funding we received through this program had a mega impact,” said Pastor Adan Mairena of the West Kensington Ministry. “We were able to hire two teachers who teach ceramics to our teens and young adults for eight hours a week. To see the light in their eyes when they finished a project was just magical. And we aim to provide skills in this and other areas so that our youth can build on their dreams and make a living doing what they love in the future.”You can watch video of these ceramic classes and the impact they have on youth participants here and here.
Grant funding applications are now being accepted. 501(c)(3) organizations that provide addiction recovery services must contact the Philadelphia Foundation in order to begin the application process: [email protected]. Grant funding is derived from the lawful and appropriate use of civil asset forfeiture. The Foundation audits and distributes microgrants.
CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, [email protected], 215-686-8713
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.