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Community Safety Fund Grantees

In 2024, Everytown’s Community Safety Fund Made a Bigger Impact Than Ever

Five members of the Everytown Community Safety Fund team pose for a photo in front of an orange poster that reads:

12.23.2024

      As we wrap up 2024, the Everytown Community Safety Fund (CSF) team is taking a moment to reflect on the work we accomplished this year, the grantees we’ve served, and the impact we continue to strive for in our mission to build safer communities. We are immensely proud of the programmatic growth and increased investment we made in 2024. 

      Community-based violence intervention organizations stand on the frontlines of building that future for us, and we are grateful to support their efforts each and every day. Through collaboration, innovation, and dedication, CSF is at the forefront of supporting, sustaining, and scaling initiatives that reduce violence and create pathways for lasting safety and equity.

      Take a moment to learn more as we reflect on the work we accomplished in 2024.

      A group of grantees pose with Community Safety Fund team members for a photo. Several people are holding a large check that reads: "Pay to the order of CVI Orgs in 27 cities—$2,185,000."

      1. Increasing Our Investment

      The Community Safety Fund Surpassed $13 Million in Unrestricted Grant Funding to 136 Organizations in 69 Cities Since 2019

      In 2024, we granted over $2 million in unrestricted funding to 34 organizations in 27 cities. Our grants are unrestricted because we understand the complexity of the needs facing CVI organizations. As a result, we aim for our grants to empower local leaders to expand their reach and enhance their impact based on their expertise—because local leaders know their community’s needs best.

      This year, the Everytown Community Safety Fund awarded support grants to 15 CVI organizations, including investments in seven new cities. Learn more about the new cohort of Support and Innovation grantees here.

      2. Elevating Grantees’ Platforms and Partnerships

      Our program is more than just writing a check. Each grantee is a subject matter expert who provides valuable insights into our movement and we believe in working with grantees as partners. Throughout the year, we actively participated in various events and initiatives to amplify the voices and stories of grantees to share their expertise. Here are a few examples:

      White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention: Mothers Convening on Improving Services for Gun Violence Victims

      A group of approximately 60 gun violence survivors gather on the steps of the Whie House. Many hold photos of a loved one—or multiple loved ones—who have been taken by gun violence. Gun violence disproportionately impacts historically marginalized communities; nearly all attendees in this photo are Black or people of color.
      In March, more than 60 Gun Violence Survivors (primarily mothers) who have been doing the work of violence prevention in their communities nationwide in support of survivors, their families, and communities convened, at the White House. This event raised awareness about the impact gun violence has had on mothers, the persistent challenges they must navigate, and raised awareness about the proposed changes to VOCA, which if adopted, will remove barriers to support for survivors. The White House OGVP staff were joined by representatives from Not Another Child (CSF Grantee), Mothers in Charge (former CSF Grantee), Mothers Against Gang Violence (CSF Grantee), and many more.

      RISE Determinants of Health Summit

      Michael-Sean Spence and Christa Green sit in white armchairs on a stage with an orange-red curtain behind them. Michael-Sean is speaking, holding papers in his left hand and gesturing with his right while talking to the audience. Christa is looking at Michael-Sean; her hands rest in her lap and her right leg is crossed over her left.
      Everytown participated in The RISE Summit on Social Determinants of Health, which was held April 15-17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Michael-Sean Spence co-presented a session at the conference with Christa Green, the Program Director of Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program, a current CSF grantee. Their session was titled Healing Communities: Tackling Gun Violence Disparities in Black Neighborhoods with a Public Health Approach. The presentation focused on the impact of gun violence on economic and social disparities, the effects of which are particularly acute for Black families, neighborhoods, and communities in the U.S.

      Washington Mystics Wear Orange Event

      Six panelists participate in a discussion facilitated by Nathalie Arzu. Behind the panelists, an orange-hued slide has two logos at the top: Mystics Wear Orange and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. The slide reads "Courtside Conversation: Gun Violence Prevention in Our Communities."
      In June, the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund partnered with the Washington Mystics to host a Wear Orange game. 

      Before the game, CSF Program Manager Nathalie Arzu and Students Demand Action representative Makayla Jordan joined leaders from CVI organizations for a Courtside Conversation: Gun Violence Prevention In Our Community. The community-focused conversation sought to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and promote actionable solutions to create safer communities for everyone. 
      Ryane Nickens from The TraRon Center is on the far right of a line of five people. The group stands on the court at the Capital One Arena. The two group members in the middle hold a check for $25,000 made out to The TraRon Center.
      The Mystics commemorated National Wear Orange Weekend with a full orange LED takeover at Capital One Arena and gave away Wear Orange towels to every fan in attendance. The team also donated $25,000 to CSF grantee The TraRon Center, a pillar of healing and care for youth impacted by gun violence in Washington, D.C. The Wear Orange Washington Mystics v. Indiana Fever game was the largest crowd at a game in WNBA history. 

      Giffords Center Community Violence Intervention Conference—Los Angeles

      Michael-Sean Spence and another panelist present at the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention Conference. Michael-Sean wears frameless glasses, a navy suit jacket, a white collared shirt, and an orange tie.
      In June, CSF Managing Director Michael-Sean Spence spoke on a panel “Contextualizing Intimate Partner Violence Across America”, alongside National Network for Safe Communities Executive Director Sasha Cotton, at the annual Giffords Community Violence Intervention Conference in Los Angeles.

      State of Emergency—Miami, Florida

      Two panelists speak during a discussion at the State of Emergency convening in Miami, Florida. One is a man wearing black, white, and tan sneakers, navy pants, and a navy shirt with vertical bright blue, cobalt blue, and coral stripes. The other is a woman wearing a white dress, black shoes, and a rainbow-colored multi-strand necklace.
      In August, the South Florida Racial Justice Table hosted its first State of Emergency Convening. Hosted at the Koubek Center at Miami-Dade College. The event underscored the need for a more equitable distribution of philanthropic resources and a re-evaluation of current funding practices. The convening particularly emphasized the need for this equitable distribution in election years, when funding often shifts to battleground states like Florida.

      Brother Lyle Muhammad, the Executive Director of CSF grantee Circle of Brotherhood, organized a lunch and learn with grassroots CVI organizations in Miami. Dr. Cherrell Green, the CSF Associate Director of Engagement and Assessment, participated in a panel discussion on the importance of equitable funding practices for Black-led organizations. CSF Advisory Board members Dr. Chico Tillmon and Marcus McAllister also spoke at the State of Emergency Convening. Ms. Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, delivered the closing remarks.

      CVILA Graduation

      Members of the second cohort of the University of Chicago Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) pose for a photo at the CVILA cohort graduation. 15 cohort members sit on chairs and form the first row of the photo; 19 other cohort members stand behind the chairs, forming a second row.
      In September, the University of Chicago Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) graduated its second cohort.

      The cohort included CVI leaders from 20 cities across the country and the Caribbean and 31 graduates received a five-month, hands-on education program to improve their organizations.  
      Seven Everytown Community Safety Fund grantees are part of the cohort: Danny Allen from Ubuntu Village NOLA (New Orleans, LA); Nekenya Hardy from The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago (Chicago, IL); Justin Napper from Not Another Child, Inc. (New York City); Nikesha Tilton from the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation (Selma, AL); Frederick “Gino” Womack from Operation Good (Jackson, MS); Jacquelyn Santiago-Nazario from Compass Youth Collaborative (Hartford, CT); and Alia Harvey Quinn from FORCE (Detroit, MI). CSF team members Michael-Sean Spence, Dr. Cherrell Green, and Jaunita Pye were in attendance at the cohort’s graduation.

      These platforms provided our grantees with opportunities to share their experiences, challenges, and successes with a broader audience. By participating in these events, we aim to create a space where grantees can build community with one another, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions.

      CSF Team Retreat

      The seven members of the Everytown Community Safety Fund team pose for a photo at a retreat center. They are all wearing semi-casual clothing.
      In October, the CSF team traveled to Middleburg, Virginia’s Salamander Resort to connect, reflect, and strategize for the future. The theme guiding the weekend was “Sustaining Progress In An Uncertain Future.” The CSF team returned feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to support and sustain the work of our grantees in 2025 and beyond.

      3. Building Capacity with the Everytown Community Safety Fund Training Institute

      At the 11th Annual Cities United conference, the Everytown Community Safety Fund convened over 60 current grantees for our Pre-Institute, a comprehensive program designed to equip our grantees and partners with additional tools and knowledge to support their life-saving work. 

      Our annual Pre-Institute gathering is designed for CSF grantees to foster peer-to-peer relationships, offer learnings from experts in the CVI space, and build capacity through programming. Additionally, grantees meet with cross-departmental Everytown for Gun Safety staff to discuss how Everytown can better support these organizations in thriving and growing their capacity. 

      This year’s Pre-Institute featured plenary and breakout sessions which delved into critical topics, offering practical insights into community engagement, storytelling, healing, and collaborative program development. CSF extends a special thank you to our speakers, moderators, panelists, and breakout session facilitators.

      A candid photo of a room full of Community Safety Fund grantees at the Everytown Pre-Institute at the Cities United conference. Attendees are sitting at circular tables and spread throughout the room.

      What does next year look like for the Everytown Community Safety Fund?

      Here’s a sneak peek of some things we’re excited about in 2025!

      • Expanding our geographic footprint 
      • Diversifying our grant offerings
      • Deeper engagement with our grantees
      • Even more capacity-building opportunities
      • And so much more!

      We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who was part of the Everytown Community Safety Fund this year. The impact we’ve witnessed in communities nationwide is a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision for safer, healthier neighborhoods. Let’s continue to build on the work of 2024 and continue our journey toward a future free from gun violence.

      Thank you for being a vital part of our mission.

      A collaged photo with four images. On the far left, a woman gestures while holding a picture of a loved one taken by gun violence. In the middle two photos, two people in each are talking or interacting. In the last photo, a man holds a collaged photo of one man speaking; the photo has white text with the word "Brave" printed on one line and "Space" printed on the below line. The two words share a tall capital E at the end. Over top of these four photos, the words "Standing together in this moment and beyond: Everytown Community Safety Fund" are printed in all caps.
      Learn more about the Everytown Community Safety Fund

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      Did you know?

      Every day, 125 people in the United States are killed with guns, twice as many are shot and wounded, and countless others are impacted by acts of gun violence.

      Everytown Research analysis of CDC, WONDER, Provisional Mortality Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death, 2019–2023; Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project nonfatal firearm injury data, 2020; and SurveyUSA, Market Research Study #26602, 2022.

      Last updated: 11.8.2024