Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Forfeiture Fund

Pursuant to its obligations under the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances Forfeiture Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5802, and the final order entered on February 17, 2021 in Sourovelis v. City of Philadelphia, Civ. Action No. 2:14-cv-04687-ER, the Office of the District Attorney of Philadelphia must utilize funds forfeited to it to support community-based anti-crime and anti-narcotics organizations. 

The majority of funds should be committed to organizations focused on engaging at-risk youth and young adults, including programs aimed at preventing violence or addiction, programs assisting with recovery and rehabilitation from addiction, and/or programs focused on reintegration and finding gainful employment after imprisonment.

Organizations may use funds to support anti-crime/anti-drug/anti-violence initiatives consistent with guidance from the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania and the United States Department of Justice.  A non-exhaustive list of permissible uses based on these sources will be provided to grantee organizations. 

Grants are limited to organizations working with people in the city and county of Philadelphia.  The Fund will prioritize requests from community-based organizations with smaller budgets, defined as $5 million or less. 

Each grant cycle will have a different focus, as listed below. Grants will range from $10,000 to $50,000, with an average grant size of $25,000.

 Criteria informing grant selection includes:

• Programs that work explicitly to: 1) engage individuals who experience and/or are at increased risk of violence and 2) build skills and protective factors to counter violence and address the goals for that grant cycle in a holistic way
• Services focus on populations and areas of Philadelphia that face multiple risk factors, including but not limited to: North Central (e.g. Nicetown/Tioga), Eastern North (e.g. Fairhill), Kensington and River Wards (e.g Frankford), Southwest and West Philadelphia 
• Priority given to grassroots organizations with annual operating budgets under $1 million. Experience managing past grant funds and supporting fiscal documentation are key factors as well.
• Track record of delivering related programming and strong partnerships to reach individuals most at risk and connect participants to holistic supports

Grant Cycle Timing & Focus Areas:

2/14/24-3/6/24:  Addiction Recovery and Prevention – CLOSED; GRANTS ANNOUNCED April 1.

4/1/24-4/19/24:  Cycling, Swimming, Summer Camps – CLOSED; GRANTS ANNOUNCED May 20.

5/20/24-6/7/24:  Gun Violence Intervention – CLOSED; GRANTS ANNOUNCED June 26.

8/26/24-9/20/24:  Trauma, Healing and Support for Youth Impacted by Violence – OPENS August 26.

11/25/24-12/27/24:  Support for Elder Victims and Anti-Violence Programs that Impact Seniors

2/3/25-3/14/25:  Re-entry and Workforce

2024 Application Cycle #4

The fourth application cycle of 2024 is only open to programs providing trauma healing and support services to youth impacted by violence.

The Applications period will open on August 26^th.

Aligned programs focus on youth directly impacted by violence and/or grieving and include formal therapeutic or healing components. Programs should work from a strengths-based, culturally affirming approach and build skills for thriving.

Use of peer support and/or credible community messengers, along with some research backing or evidence-informed program design are encouraged.

Application Process

Organizations that meet basic eligibility requirements are asked to complete an application and upload supplemental documents. Applications cannot be considered until the following supplemental documents have been submitted:

• 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter 
• Fiscal sponsorship agreement, if applicable
• Board-approved Organizational Budget for current year (should show anticipated expenses and revenue sources)
• Prior year financial statement (summary of revenue and expenses for 2023, tax filing must be confirmed for 2022)
• List of Board of Directors
• Board-approved Nondiscrimination Policy