Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs
Notice of Availability VOCA Grant Funds
Announcement: The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is pleased to announce the anticipated availability of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice. The purpose of VOCA grant funds is to support the provision of services to victims of crime. Services are defined as those efforts that respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims, assist victims of crime to stabilize their lives after victimization, assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and provide victims of crime with a measure of safety and security. Eligibility to apply for VOCA funds is limited to victim assistance programs administered by state or local government agencies or not-for-profit corporations registered in Florida, or a combination thereof, that can demonstrate the following:
1) Proof that the Internal Revenue Service recognizes the organization as being tax exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
2) A statement from a state taxing body or state secretary of state certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization and that no part of the organization's net earnings may benefit any private shareholder or individual;
3) A certified copy of a certificate of incorporation or similar document establishing nonprofit status; or
4) Any of the above, if it applies to a state or national parent organization, with a statement by the state or national parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
The funding cycle for the VOCA grant funds under this notice is October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017.
Application and Deadline: Organizations may participate in the annual competitive grant process which involves submission of an application followed by an application review.
The VOCA application may be accessed using the Office of the Attorney General’s new online system EGrants, which can be accessed through https://egrants.myfloridalegal.com/ after January 8, 2016. This electronic system replaces the paper application process previously used.
Technical assistance workshops throughout the State are being scheduled, as well as pre-recorded webinars. Applicant agencies are strongly encouraged to view the webinars or send an employee responsible for grant applications to one of the workshops, which will be provided in the following cities:
Tallahassee1/6/20161:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Jacksonville1/12/20161:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tampa1/13/20161:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Orlando1/20/20169:00a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Ft. LauderdaleTo be determinedTo be determined
DestinTo be determinedTo be determined
Due to limited seating pre-registration is required for all workshops. Contact the Bureau of Advocacy and Grants Management at (850)414-3380 to register for a workshop.
The deadline for applying for a VOCA grant under this notice is no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 26, 2016. Mailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications or required documentation will not be accepted.
