Combating Hate Crimes Grant Program 2025

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has announced the availability of funding through the 2025 Combating Hate Crimes Grant Program – Round 2. This grant aims to support local governments within the Commonwealth of Virginia that have established partnerships with nonprofit organizations, 501(c)(3) institutions, and other organizations that have been or are at risk of being targets of hate crimes. The program is designed to help minimize bias-motivated incidents and enhance safety for institutions and nonprofits that are vulnerable to hate crimes based on race, religion, color, gender, disability, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. The funding is made available through the state budget bill, with approximately $2.7 million remaining for eligible projects in fiscal year 2025.

The purpose of this grant is to fund projects that enhance security and preparedness for potential hate crime targets. Eligible activities include purchasing security and monitoring equipment, hiring contractual security services, providing security-related training for staff, and conducting security assessments to identify vulnerabilities. Funding can also be used for terrorism awareness training, incident response training, and part-time personnel to conduct security assessments for eligible nonprofits. However, the grant does not cover the purchase of weapons, ammunition, construction or renovation costs, land acquisition, lobbying, political contributions, food, alcohol, honoraria, bonuses, or vehicle purchases.

Eligibility for this grant is restricted to local governments in Virginia that submit applications on behalf of partnerships they have formed with eligible nonprofit organizations or institutions within their jurisdiction. Only one application may be submitted per locality, but the application can include multiple partnerships with separate nonprofit organizations. Current grantees are allowed to apply if the application seeks to expand services to include additional at-risk partners. The maximum grant period is 12 months, running from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, with a maximum award amount of $150,000 per locality. No matching funds are required.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the DCJS Online Grants Management System (OGMS) by 5:00 p.m. on March 18, 2025. Late applications will not be considered, and applicants are encouraged to register in OGMS as soon as possible due to the processing time for new accounts. Paper or emailed applications will not be accepted. Applicants must complete all required forms and provide all requested information, including project narratives, budgets, goals and objectives, and personnel justification if applicable.

Applications will be reviewed by DCJS staff using a Compliance Review form within OGMS. Funding recommendations will then be forwarded to the Grants Committee of the Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB), which will make final recommendations to the full Board. Final approval rests with the Criminal Justice Services Board. Quarterly financial and performance reports will be required from all grantees, and failure to submit these reports could result in funding suspension or grant termination. Additional data may also be requested for reporting to the Virginia General Assembly.

For questions about the grant application, applicants can contact Beth Polak at elizabeth.polak@dcjs.virginia.gov (804-659-6487) or Tracy Matthews at tracy.matthews@dcjs.virginia.gov (804-371-0635). For technical assistance with OGMS, applicants can email ogmssupport@dcjs.virginia.gov and include the grant program name in the subject line. The grant opportunity was officially announced on February 18, 2025.