The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is accepting applications for its 2026 Victim Witness Grant Program (VWGP).
Donor Name: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
State: Virginia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/09/2025
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The purpose of the Victim Witness Grant Program (VWGP) is to provide financial support to local victim witness programs and statewide victim assistance programs designed to provide direct services, information, and assistance as required by the Virginia Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act.
The primary purpose of VOCA funding is to support the delivery of direct services to victims of crime. For the purposes of this grant program, a crime victim is defined as a person who has suffered physical, sexual, financial, and/or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime. This includes victims of federal crimes. Crimes do not need to be reported to law enforcement for people to receive services under VOCA.
The federal VOCA Rule defines direct services to victims of crime as “efforts that:
- respond to the emotional, psychological, or physical needs of crime victims;
- assist victims to stabilize their lives after victimization;
- assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system; OR
- restore a measure of security and safety for the victim.”
Funding Information
DCJS anticipates that $20,863,750 (anticipated to be $9,497,710 in VOCA funds, $9,883,214 in state general funds, and $1,482,826 in state special funds) will be available for subawards under this funding opportunity. Amounts are dependent upon the final SFY2026 state budget.
Grant Period
The grant period is for 12 months, SFY2026, July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Grant period extensions will not be considered.
Uses of Funds
VWGP funds can be used to provide victims of crime with direct services related to the following service categories as defined by VOCA:
- Information and referrals. Examples can include providing information about the criminal justice process and victims’ rights; referrals to other victim service programs; and referrals to other services, supports, and resources.
- Personal advocacy and accompaniment services. Examples can include accompaniment to emergency medical care and forensic examinations; accompaniment to criminal justice system-related events; individual advocacy; and intervention with employers, landlords, schools, and others on behalf of the victim.
- Emotional support and safety services. Examples can include crisis intervention; safety planning; support groups; and other therapeutic services.
- Shelter and safe housing options. Examples can include providing emergency shelter; providing transitional housing; arranging safe housing; and other relocation assistance.
- Criminal and civil justice system assistance. Examples can include notification of criminal justice events; and accompaniment to court hearings, meetings with law enforcement and prosecution, and other criminal justice system-related events.
Eligibility Criteria
This funding opportunity is open to local and state government agencies that receive SFY2025 VWGP non-competitive funding. To be eligible for funding under this grant program, organizations:
- Must have a current and active federal System of Award Management (SAM) registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.
- Must not be excluded or debarred from doing business with the federal government or the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Must be in good standing with all state and federal agencies with which they have an existing grant or contractual relationship.
- Must demonstrate a record of providing effective direct services to crime victims. In accordance with the federal VOCA Rule, a program has demonstrated a record of effective services when, for example, it demonstrates the support and approval of its direct services by the community, its history of providing direct services in a cost-effective manner, and the breadth or depth of financial support from sources other than the federal Crime Victims Fund (source of VOCA funding).
- Must have a record of support from sources other than the federal Crime Victims Fund. A program has financial support from sources other than the Crime Victims Fund when at least twenty five percent of the program’s funding in the year of, or the year preceding the subaward, comes from such sources, which may include other federal funding programs.
For more information, visit DCJS.
