Non-profit organizations that want to apply for the City’s One Lexington Violence Prevention grants will be able to do so starting March 1.
The grants provide community partners with resources to help prevent gun violence, a key component of the One Lexington program. Applications are available online.
“One Lexington is making progress in reducing gun violence among young people,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “One reason for their success is the work of their community partners, funded through these grants.” In 2022, Lexington had 44 homicides compared to 24 in 2023, the first year for the grant program. For the first time in five years, Lexington had fewer than 100 shootings in 2023.
This is the third year for the grants. The city estimates approximately 1,200 young people were touched by programming funded by this year’s grants.
The City plans to allocate $100,000 to support the Gun Violence Prevention Grant Program, pending the approval of the Urban County Council. Grant recipients will receive up to $7,500.
Community Action Council will score the grant applications based on how well applications fit into one of the following initiatives: messaging or community events, gun violence reduction programming, and comprehensive projects addressing the first two initiatives. Grant recipients will be announced at the end of April.
One Lexington Director Devine Carama said, “This grant program takes a huge step toward, building the capacity of organizations that are on the frontlines, doing the work each and every day.” One Lexington also provides workshops and information that can help grassroots organizations expand their reach in the community.
Completed applications will be accepted until 5 p.m., Friday, April 5.
