City of St. John's Launches Building Safer Communities Grant Program

The City of St. John’s launched a new grant program today to support community-based service providers in developing or strengthening crime and violence prevention and intervention initiatives or programs for children, youth, young adults, and their families.

The City of St. John’s is anticipated to receive up to $1.83 million over a three year period through the Public Safety Canada's Building Safer Communities Fund to develop a comprehensive crime and violence prevention strategy in collaboration with community partners and stakeholders. The primary focus of this strategy is to address the social determinants of violence and crime, particularly for children, youth, young adults, and their families. Through this work, the City has an opportunity to financially support community partners in strengthening crime and violence prevention and intervention initiatives through this new grant program.

"We are committed to building a safer, more vibrant City for everyone,” said Mayor of the City of St. John’s Danny Breen. “We know to address the complex issues that lead to crime and violence, we need to work collectively with community organizations and all levels of government. Our hope is that this grant program fosters new partnerships that lead to meaningful change."

Currently, funding of approximately $450,000 is available, with a maximum award of $150,000 per community-based service provider. Additional funds may be available based on project scope and partnerships formed.

Additional calls for funding are anticipated in subsequent years subject to renewed funding from Public Safety Canada. 

Through the Building Safer Communities Grant Program, the City of St. John’s invites community-based service providers working with children, youth, young adults, and their families to apply for funding to expand existing or develop new initiatives that align with one or more of the following key program objectives:

• Addressing risk factors and/or strengthening protective factors.
• Tackling the root causes of crime and/or violence.
• Alleviating the impacts of crime and/or violence on vulnerable groups.
• Preventing or intervening in crime and/or violence involvement among children, youth, young adults, and their families.

The deadline for funding applications is February 11, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Successful applicants will have until March 31, 2025, to complete their projects.

For more information about the program, visit stjohns.ca.

Related Links:

• Building Safer Communities Grant Program
• Building Safer Communities Steering Committee