Addressing community violence and promoting public safety through SAFE Charlotte

United Way of Central Carolinas and the City of Charlotte know that creating and sustaining a city where all residents are safe requires collaboration, innovation and community involvement. To help drive these efforts, United Way and the City of Charlotte have partnered to launch the Safety and Accountability for Everyone (SAFE) Charlotte grant program.

 

WHAT IT IS

 

Through the SAFE Charlotte grant program, $1 million in grants will be awarded to grassroots nonprofits committed to supporting efforts to curb violence and increase safety across the city. Neighborhoods most affected by violence will be prioritized for funding through the grant program.

 

A total of 20 grants in the amount of $50,000 each will be awarded to 501(c)3 organizations meeting eligibility requirements under guidelines established by the City of Charlotte. Funding for the SAFE Charlotte grant program is made possible to the City of Charlotte in part through the federal Community Development Block Grant.

 

WHY IT MATTERS

 

Safe neighborhoods are critical to the health, well-being and success of children and families. By working to build safer, more vibrant and connected neighborhoods rich in opportunity, thousands of families across the Charlotte region can break the cycle of poverty.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In October 2020, Charlotte City Council adopted the SAFE Charlotte plan, which includes recommendations to re-imagine policing and make the city safer. The first recommendation in the SAFE Charlotte report is to provide $1 million to community organizations to address violent crime in Charlotte.

 

UNITED WAY’S PARTNERSHIP

 

Through its annual grantmaking activities that include more than 100 funded partner agencies, United Way is uniquely positioned to manage the SAFE Charlotte grant application process and deliver support to funded organizations. Additionally, United Way initiatives Unite Charlotte and United Neighborhoods that launched in 2016 and 2017, respectively, complement the SAFE Charlotte effort in strengthening neighborhoods and advancing racial equity in disinvested communities.

 

“United Way continues to be a strong and reliable partner in our goal to address public safety and reduce violence in our community,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “This initiative will direct grant funding where it is most needed and provide recipients with an opportunity to enact meaningful and sustainable programs to benefit all Charlotteans.”

 

BEYOND FUNDING

 

As part of the SAFE Charlotte partnership, United Way will work with UNC Charlotte Urban Institute and Bringing You Excellence (B.Y.E.), LLC to support the capacity-building efforts, reporting requirements and program evaluation for each organization receiving grant funds to ensure they are meeting requirements throughout the yearlong grant period.

 

DATES TO KNOW

 

Applications for SAFE Charlotte grants will open at 8 a.m. on March 8, 2021 and close on March 31, 2021 at 5 p.m.

 

Organizations interested in applying for SAFE Charlotte funding are encouraged to attend one of two upcoming webinars hosted by United Way of Central Carolinas, UNC Charlotte and City of Charlotte: March 4 from 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m. and Thursday, March 11 from 8 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Advance registration is required.

 

LEARN MORE

 

For complete details and application information, visit www.uwcentralcarolinas.org/safecharlotte.