Public Safety, Victim Services & Reentry grants in New Jersey
DOJ formula and competitive grants, largely administered through state criminal justice agencies, support nonprofits that provide victim services, violence intervention, and reentry programs. In New Jersey, these funds reach public safety, victim services & reentry businesses and nonprofits through New Jersey state agencies, county programs and city economic development offices, alongside direct federal awards.
Example programs available to New Jersey applicants
- VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grants
- BJA Second Chance Act Grants
- Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI)
Getting started in New Jersey
- 01Register your business with New Jersey (usually the Secretary of State) and get an IRS EIN.
- 02Check New Jersey licensing, permits and tax registration rules for public safety, victim services & reentry.
- 03Register on SAM.gov for a free UEI so you can receive federal funds passed through New Jersey agencies.
- 04Contact your local New Jersey Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free help with plans and applications.
- 05Ask your New Jersey city and county economic development office about local public safety, victim services & reentry grants and incentives.
Who qualifies
- Nonprofit organizations, usually with 501(c)(3) status, that provide direct services to crime victims, such as domestic violence shelters, sexual assault programs, child advocacy centers, and legal advocacy groups
- Community-based organizations running violence intervention programs, such as street outreach, hospital-based violence intervention, and conflict mediation, often in partnership with local government
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations offering reentry services such as housing, job training, mentoring, substance use treatment, and case management for people leaving incarceration
- State, local, and tribal government agencies, including prosecutors' victim-witness units, courts, corrections, and probation departments, which may apply directly or partner with nonprofits
- Tribal governments and tribal organizations, which may have dedicated set-asides and solicitations under several DOJ programs
- For-profit businesses, which are generally not eligible as prime applicants for most of these programs but may serve as contractors, such as evaluators, trainers, or employers in reentry job programs, when the solicitation allows
Where the funding comes from
VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grants: The DOJ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) awards Crime Victims Fund dollars to a designated State Administering Agency in each state and territory. That agency then subgrants to nonprofit and public agencies that provide direct services to crime victims.
Second Chance Act Grants: The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), along with OJJDP for youth-focused programs, makes competitive awards for reentry services, including community-based reentry, pay-for-success models, and mentoring. Eligible applicants commonly include nonprofits, states, units of local government, and tribes.
Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI): This BJA competitive program funds community-based organizations and local governments to implement or expand evidence-informed violence intervention strategies.
Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) programs: OVW offers competitive grants, such as Transitional Housing Assistance, Rural, and Legal Assistance for Victims programs. It also runs the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant, which states subgrant to victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts.
State Administering Agencies, often a governor's crime commission or a state criminal justice or public safety department, run competitive subgrant processes for VOCA, STOP VAWA, Byrne JAG, and sometimes state-funded victim services or violence prevention programs.
City and county governments may subaward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) local allocations or use municipal offices of violence prevention to fund community partners. Some also contract with nonprofits for reentry and victim services.
Community foundations, United Way chapters, and regional funders often support victim services and reentry programs. They can also help cover the match that some federal and state grants require.
Common requirements
- Register in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and renew the registration every year. Registration is free, and processing can take several weeks.
- Create accounts in Grants.gov and DOJ JustGrants. Most DOJ competitive applications start in Grants.gov and are completed in JustGrants.
- Provide proof of legal status, such as an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or government entity documentation. Also maintain good standing with your state's secretary of state and any required state charity registration.
- Prepare a project narrative, a detailed budget and budget narrative, and any required match documentation. VOCA traditionally requires a 20% match unless the state or OVC grants a waiver.
- Keep financial management records, including audited or reviewed financial statements and written financial and procurement policies. A Single Audit is required if you spend $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2024; earlier years used a $750,000 threshold.
- Have program-specific policies ready, such as victim confidentiality protections required under VOCA and VAWA, background checks for staff working with minors or vulnerable populations, and documentation of volunteer use for VOCA subrecipients unless that requirement is waived.
- Complete civil rights and federal certifications. These include nondiscrimination compliance, Equal Employment Opportunity Plan certification, lobbying disclosures, and any DOJ financial management and system of internal controls questionnaire.
How to apply
- 01Identify the right funding channel. For VOCA, STOP VAWA, and JAG subgrants, find your State Administering Agency through the OVC, OVW, or BJA websites. For competitive DOJ grants, check the DOJ Program Plan and Grants.gov for open solicitations.
- 02Complete your registrations early, ideally 30 to 60 days before any deadline. Obtain or renew SAM.gov with your UEI, then set up Grants.gov and JustGrants accounts with assigned user roles.
- 03Read the full solicitation or state request for proposals carefully. Note the eligibility rules, allowable costs, match requirements, priority areas, page limits, and the separate Grants.gov and JustGrants deadlines.
- 04Develop your application. Write a needs statement with local data, a clear program design and logic model, measurable performance goals, partnership letters or MOUs, and a budget that follows the DOJ Grants Financial Guide.
- 05Submit before the deadline and keep the confirmation receipts. Respond promptly to any state or DOJ follow-up, and if you are not selected, request reviewer feedback to strengthen your next application.
Frequently asked questions
Can a for-profit small business apply for VOCA or Second Chance Act grants?
Generally, no. VOCA subgrants go to nonprofit and public agencies, and most Second Chance Act and CVIPI solicitations limit prime applicants to nonprofits, governments, and tribes. For-profit businesses can often take part as contractors, evaluators, trainers, or employer partners. Always check the eligibility section of each solicitation.
Why do I apply to my state for VOCA funds instead of DOJ?
VOCA Victim Assistance is a formula grant. OVC distributes funds to each state's designated administering agency, and that agency sets its own priorities, application cycles, and subgrant terms. Contact your state agency to learn when its funding announcements are released.
Is there a matching requirement?
Many programs require one. VOCA has historically required a 20% cash or in-kind match, though states and OVC have issued waivers in recent years. Some BJA and OVW programs also require a match, while others do not. Confirm the current rules in each solicitation.
How long does it take to get registered and ready to apply?
SAM.gov registration can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, especially if entity validation is needed. JustGrants access also requires role setup. Start at least one to two months before a deadline so registration delays do not cost you the opportunity.
What happens after I receive an award?
Grantees must accept award conditions, track expenses under federal cost principles (2 CFR 200), submit regular financial and performance reports, and protect victim confidentiality. They must also keep records for audit. Noncompliance can lead to withheld funds or repayment, so build reporting capacity before you apply.
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Researched from public sources. Program details change, so always confirm with the New Jersey funding agency. GrantVerify does not award grants or guarantee funding.