Apply for VOCA Funding
A Toolkit for Organizations Working with Crime Survivors in Communities of Color and Other Underserved Communities
Skimmer’s tip: Start with the Self-Assessment Worksheet to get a quick snapshot of what it will take for your group to apply for VOCA funding.
Table of Contents
- What is VOCA? – A basic overview of these funds and how your work might fit
- How do you apply? – Learn about the general requirements, how to make the case for your project, the types of services and types of survivors that are eligible, and how to build a relationship with your state’s VOCA office.
- Getting Your Budget in Order – How to put together the budget portion of your application, including which costs you can include, the budget document, and meeting match requirements.
- So You’ve Got the VOCA Grant. Now What? – Getting the grant is step one. This section explains how to track and report on results, manage your finances, and maintain compliance.
- Self-Assessment Worksheet – Print this worksheet (html or pdf) and walk through it to learn how your organization stacks up against VOCA’s requirement and what you need to do to be ready.
Appendix: Sample Materials and Resources
- Sample VOCA RFP Announcement [pdf] and Budget [pdf]
- VOCA Application Budget Worksheet Instructions [pdf]
- Sample Organization Budget [xls]
- Budget and Matching Funds Worksheet [xls] and Instructions [pdf]
- Sample Client Tracking Spreadsheet [xls]
- Sample Attendance/Timesheet [xls]
- Sample Confidentiality Agreement [doc]
- Sample Release Authorization Form [doc]
- Sample Conflict of Interest Policy [doc]
- Sample Equal Employment Opportunity Policy [doc]
About the Toolkit
So you’re thinking about applying for a VOCA grant. Congratulations! This updated toolkit will give you the information you need to understand VOCA funding, eligibility, and whether your organization is ready to apply for and sustain a VOCA grant.
This toolkit will be useful for any organization seeking its first VOCA grant. But we wrote the toolkit with communities of color and other underserved communities in mind.
Why? The federal government more than tripled funding for victim services for 2015. This infusion of funds presents a unique opportunity to advance racial equity and extend the reach of victim services to include the full range of survivors, all without having to draw a penny away from the essential and life-saving services that are already funded.
This provides a great opportunity for communities and organizations tirelessly supporting crime survivors who have been marginalized or face barriers to accessing traditional victim services — often resulting in no support at all. Communities like yours.