Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund Awards $70,000 To Seven Local and State Domestic Violence Prevention Organizations To Address Critical Intersection Between Guns and Domestic Violence

Everytown Has Provided More than $500,000 to 57 Domestic Violence Organizations in 31 States and Washington D.C. Since 2020

Every Month, an Average of 76 Women in the US Are Shot and Killed by an Intimate Partner

NEW YORK — Today, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (the “Everytown Support Fund”), the education, research and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, announced the allocation of $70,000 in grants to seven local and/or state-based domestic violence prevention organizations that work in direct support of victims. While each grant recipient is unique, all the organizations provide programmatic support to address the lethal intersection of domestic or intimate partner violence and gun violence.

The following organizations are the fifth cohort of domestic violence grant recipients:

1. Chez Hope, Franklin, Louisiana
2. Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, Albuquerque, New Mexico
3. The Friendship Center of Helena, Helena, Montana
4. Help In Crisis, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
5. Knoxville Family Justice Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
6. National Women’s Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation, Vancouver, Washington
7. Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition, Spokane, Washington

“The research is clear: women are five times more likely to be killed if their abusive partner has access to a gun. The role guns play in domestic and intimate partner violence is a staggering crisis that is preventable,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “Local partnerships with organizations providing lifesaving support in their communities is an integral part of the gun safety movement. The work our grantees will do with this funding will be critical in supporting women and survivors as they continue to heal, and creating safer communities.”

“Chez Hope is honored to collaborate and partner with Everytown for Gun Safety,” said Cherrise Picard, Executive Director of Chez Hope. “This grant offers us the valuable opportunity to educate domestic violence survivors on the State of Louisiana’s Gun Divestiture Procedures, while assisting them through the Protective Order Process. Thank you Everytown For Gun Safety.” 

“At Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW), we are incredibly honored to receive the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund – Domestic Violence Mini Grant,” said Tiffany Jiron, Executive Director of CSVANW. “This support will empower our organization to enhance our efforts in addressing the critical intersection of gun violence and domestic abuse in our communities. By amplifying our advocacy and providing essential resources to those affected, we aim to create safer environments for Native women and families. This grant represents a significant step forward in our commitment to ending violence and promoting healing within Indigenous communities.”

“With decades of experience as a domestic violence victim service provider, The Friendship Center intimately understands the risks victims face in leaving abusive situations and are well equipped to help clients experiencing violent and unpredictable situations in which homicide — including homicide by gun — is a real possibility,” said Gina Boesdorfer, Executive Director of The Friendship Center of Helena. “Our vision is for every person to thrive in safe and healthy relationships. We are grateful for Everytown’s support as we work to see our vision become our reality.” 

“Gun violence and domestic violence are deeply interconnected issues that demand our urgent attention,” said Laura Kuester, Executive Director of Help In Crisis. “In Oklahoma, nearly 60% of domestic violence fatalities involve firearms, highlighting the critical need for education and prevention. By raising awareness of these challenges, we can empower communities to break the cycle of violence. We are grateful to Everytown for their generous grant funding, which enables us to promote safety, education and support for all Oklahomans.”

“The Knoxville Family Justice Center is grateful for the support of Everytown for Gun Safety in our efforts to combat domestic violence,” said Michelle Clayton, Executive Director of Knoxville Family Justice Center. “This grant will help us enhance our services to survivors, especially those facing the increased risk of gun violence, and ensure their safety is prioritized. Together, we are building a safer, more resilient community.”

“NWCAVE has a DREAM…a World Without Violence. We thank Everytown for recognizing our work and honoring us with their Domestic Violence Mini Grant!” said Michelle Bart, Founder of National Women’s Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation (NWCAVE). “NWCAVE and our Advocacy Center for Justice have continued empowering and protecting lives through our domestic violence programs for over a decade, our work is not just about healing wounds; it’s about breaking the cycle of violence and fostering a safer future. Together, we can prevent gun violence and create a world where everyone feels secure in their own home, school, workplace, and community.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Everytown for Gun Safety for funding our work to establish a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board in Spokane,” said Taffy Hunter, Interim Executive Director of Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition (SRDVC). “This support will help us identify gaps in services, better understand the factors leading to fatal incidents and improve our community’s response to domestic violence. Together, we are taking crucial steps toward preventing future tragedies and ensuring safety and support for those impacted by violence.”

Now in its fifth year, Everytown’s domestic violence grant program has provided more than $500,000 in funding to 57 local and state domestic violence organizations in 31 states and Washington, D.C. All of the grantee organizations have a demonstrated track record of supporting victims of domestic or intimate partner violence in their community with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and have used the funding from Everytown to support operational costs, capacity-building training opportunities, salaries for staff and contractors, and more.

Domestic violence and gun violence are deeply interconnected, with devastating impacts on individual survivors and victims, their families, communities, and the nation. Every month, an average of 76 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner. The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation — regardless of whose gun it is — makes it five times more likely a woman will be shot and killed by an intimate partner.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, available 24/7, for confidential assistance from a trained advocate. You can also find more resources on legal assistance in English and Spanish at WomensLaw.org. For more information, visit this resource guide for survivors of domestic violence.