A practical guide to grants for domestic violence, sexual assault, and survivor services, federal VAWA and FVPSA programs, state, and foundation funding.
2025–2026 STATUS UPDATE: HHS announced restructuring in March 2025 that consolidates SAMHSA, HRSA, OASH, ATSDR, and NIOSH into a new “Administration for a Healthy America (AHA)” as part of a ~25% HHS workforce reduction. Programs and contact pathways may have shifted. Verify at hhs.gov.
Domestic violence and sexual assault services are funded primarily through VAWA-authorized programs at DOJ OVW, FVPSA at HHS, OVC, state coalitions, and a substantial foundation funder base.
TL;DR
- Who funds DV/SA services? DOJ OVW, ACF FVPSA, DOJ OVC (VOCA), state coalitions, community foundations, women’s funds.
- Who can apply? Domestic violence and sexual assault programs, shelters, legal services, advocacy organizations, hospitals, tribal organizations.
- What gets funded? Shelter, legal advocacy, transitional housing, hotlines, sexual assault services, prevention, coalition support.
Federal Funding
DOJ Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). STOP, Rural, Tribal, Transitional Housing, Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP), Disability Grants, Culturally Specific Services, Justice for Families.
ACF Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). State coalitions, tribal coalitions, shelter funding.
DOJ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). VOCA Formula (state-administered, major source for DV/SA services), discretionary anti-trafficking and other grants.
HRSA for health-system DV/SA response.
State Programs
VOCA flows through state Victim Assistance Administrators. FVPSA flows through state DV coalitions. Engage both.
Foundation Funders
- NoVo Foundation historically.
- Avon Foundation.
- Mary Kay Ash Foundation.
- Women’s funds in your region, see grants for women-led organizations.
- Verizon Foundation (DV focus).
- Community foundations.
What Gets Funded
- Emergency shelter and transitional housing.
- Hotlines and crisis response.
- Legal advocacy and services.
- Sexual assault services and prevention.
- Coordinated community response.
- Culturally specific services.
- Prevention and primary prevention.
- Workforce development for survivors.
Tips for a Competitive Application
- Center survivor voice and leadership.
- Address cultural and language access.
- Show partnership with law enforcement, healthcare, courts, social services, see partnerships in grant proposals.
- Plan trauma-informed approaches, see grants for trauma-informed care.
- Address safety, confidentiality, and privacy with care.
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces DV/SA funding across DOJ OVW, ACF FVPSA, DOJ OVC, state, and foundation sources, with drafts in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- DOJ Grants: A Guide to Department of Justice Funding
- ACF Grants: A Guide to Administration for Children and Families Funding
- Grants for Trauma-Informed Care Programs
Further Reading
- DOJ Office on Violence Against Women
- ACF Family Violence Prevention and Services Program (FVPSA)
- DOJ Office for Victims of Crime
- Grants.gov (federal funding portal)
- Wikipedia: Violence Against Women Act
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.