OVW FY 2017 Technical Assistance Outreach Initiative to Strengthen Indian Tribes’ Capacity to Address Violence Against Women | OVW 2017 12440

Opportunity Information: Apply for OVW 2017 12440

The OVW FY 2017 Technical Assistance Outreach Initiative to Strengthen Indian Tribes' Capacity to Address Violence Against Women is a U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) discretionary funding opportunity designed to expand access to practical, on-the-ground technical assistance for tribal communities. The initiative was created because OVW recognizes that only a limited number of tribes receive OVW grant funding in any given cycle, and many tribal communities still need support to build strong responses to violence against women. Instead of focusing only on direct service grants to a small subset of recipients, this program aims to stretch federal resources further by funding a technical assistance provider that can reach tribes more broadly, especially those that have not been able to secure OVW funding in the past.

At its core, the program is meant to strengthen tribal capacity to respond effectively to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. That includes improving how tribal governments, tribal justice system professionals (such as law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, probation, and related personnel), and tribal victim services organizations work individually and together. The emphasis is on building practical systems and skills so responses are more consistent, trauma-informed, and coordinated, with the dual goals of increasing victim safety and improving offender accountability. The opportunity explicitly prioritizes technical assistance to tribes that have had no or only marginal success accessing funding through OVW's Tribal Affairs Division or other OVW grant programs, reflecting an intent to reduce barriers and close capacity gaps across Indian Country.

This opportunity was offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means OVW expected to have substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing the work during the award period, rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The funding activity category is listed as community development, aligning with the idea that improved tribal responses to violence require systems-building, collaboration, policy development, and institutional capacity, not just individual trainings. The program falls under CFDA 16.029, which corresponds to OVW funding streams focused on violence against women initiatives.

In terms of basic award details, the solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number OVW 2017 12440) was posted on January 24, 2017, with an original closing date of March 2, 2017. OVW anticipated making a single award under this initiative, with an award ceiling of $700,000. Because only one award was expected, the selected recipient would effectively serve as the central technical assistance hub or lead provider for the outreach effort described in the solicitation, delivering support beyond the usual pool of OVW grantees.

Eligibility for applicants included Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, as well as nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education). This eligibility design suggests OVW was aiming to reach entities with strong ties to tribal communities and experience providing specialized assistance, including organizations that may be structured in ways that do not fit the standard 501(c)(3) nonprofit model but still operate as legitimate service or support organizations in tribal contexts.

Overall, the grant opportunity is best understood as an infrastructure and capacity-building investment. Rather than funding direct services to a single community, OVW intended to fund a provider that could deliver targeted technical assistance to multiple tribes, particularly those historically underrepresented among OVW grantees. The end goal is to help more tribal communities develop the knowledge, policies, partnerships, and justice-system and victim-service practices needed to respond to violence against women in ways that are effective, culturally relevant, and focused on safety and accountability.

• The Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVW FY 2017 Technical Assistance Outreach Initiative to Strengthen Indian Tribes’ Capacity to Address Violence Against Women" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.029.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 24, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 02, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $700,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for OVW 2017 12440

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