Apply for Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence Grant Program 2026–28 (Canada)

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence Grant Program supports access to specialized care and services for children and youth affected by gun and gang violence as they navigate the justice system. The program also aims to strengthen the capacity of eligible organizations to deliver specialized services to child and youth victims, survivors, and witnesses while supporting their families.

About the Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence Grant Program

The program is designed to improve access to specialized care and services for children and youth under 18 who have been affected by gun and gang violence. Support is also available for child and youth victims of human trafficking and their family members. The program focuses on helping affected children and families access appropriate services while navigating the justice system and strengthening the ability of organizations to provide these services. How Much Funding Is Available? Grants of up to $200,000 per project are available for the grant period. Funding is estimated to begin in March 2027. All grant funds must be expended by March 31, 2028. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project and budget can be completed within the funding period. What Types of Projects Are Eligible?

Eligible projects must be:

- One-time initiatives. - Non-recurring projects. - Short-term initiatives. - Pilot projects. Projects should be designed so that they can be sustained through existing resources after the grant period ends. Organizations that have previously received funding through this program may apply again for new projects or projects that build upon previously funded work. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include organizations that provide specialized services to child and youth victims.

Eligible applicants include:

- Current Child Victim Witness Program service providers. - Current and emerging Child and Youth Advocacy Centres in Ontario. - Family service agencies assisting child or youth victims of unlawful activities. - Community legal clinics with specialized expertise in child-centred legal services. Each organization may submit only one application. Who Should the Projects Support? Projects must directly support children and youth affected by gun and gang violence and their families. The program focuses on children and youth under 18 who are: - Victims of gun and gang violence. - Survivors of gun and gang violence. - Witnesses of gun and gang violence. The program also supports child and youth victims of human trafficking and their family members where the proposed services align with the program’s focus. Service Delivery and Capacity Building The grant program has two connected objectives: improving access to specialized services and strengthening organizational capacity to deliver those services. Projects should therefore demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed activities and the delivery of specialized support to eligible child victims and their families. Previously Funded Organizations Organizations that have previously received funding through the Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence Grant Program are allowed to apply.

They may propose:

- A new project. - A project that builds upon previously funded work. However, the proposed project must continue to meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and directly support the delivery of services to eligible child victims and their families. What Projects Are Not Eligible? Funding is not available for activities that do not directly support child victims of gun and gang violence. Ineligible activities include projects that: - Do not directly support child victims of gun and gang violence. - Focus primarily on other client groups. - Create new ongoing victim support programs. The program is intended for one-time, non-recurring, short-term, or pilot initiatives rather than the creation of new permanent victim support programs. Project Sustainability Eligible projects should be capable of continuing through existing resources after the grant period ends. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how the project can be sustained without ongoing grant funding. This requirement is particularly important for short-term and pilot initiatives seeking to develop or strengthen specialized service approaches. Application Considerations Organizations preparing an application should ensure that the proposed project has a direct connection to child victims of gun and gang violence and their families.

A strong project should clearly explain:

- The child and youth victims the project will support. - The specialized services to be delivered. - How the project will help affected children and families navigate the justice system. - How the initiative will strengthen service delivery capacity. - Why the project is suitable as a one-time, short-term, or pilot initiative. - How the project can be sustained through existing resources after the grant period. - How the proposed budget supports the project activities. Key Facts About the Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence Grant Program

- Programme: Child Victims of Gun and Gang Violence Grant Program

- Location: Ontario, Canada

- Maximum funding: $200,000 per project

- Funding start: Estimated March 2027

- Funding end: March 31, 2028

- Target group: Children and youth under 18

- Primary focus: Child victims, survivors, and witnesses of gun and gang violence

- Additional focus: Child and youth victims of human trafficking and their family members

- Eligible projects: One-time, non-recurring, short-term, or pilot initiatives

- Project sustainability: Projects must be sustainable through existing resources after the grant period

- Applications per organization: One

- Previous recipients: Eligible to apply for new or follow-on projects

- Eligible applicants: Child Victim Witness Program service providers, Child and Youth Advocacy Centres, family service agencies, and specialized community legal clinics Frequently Asked Qu