The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) was created to address gun violence prevention in the District while assisting families with grief and trauma caused by these occurrences. The ONSE was created in response to the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act of 2015.

The mission of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is to build partnerships and implement strategies that reduce gun-related violence in the District. ONSE fulfills this mission by coordinating the District’s gun violence prevention and intervention initiatives, using both public health and public safety tools, and by focusing on identifying and engaging with those most likely to be involved in gun violence, providing them with an alternative to crime. ONSE solicits 1-2 grant opportunities throughout the year, based on available funding, with the most common being discretionary grants.

Grants issued by ONSE focus on intervention and prevention of gun violence. Grants issued in the past have been awarded for quality assurance partners, violence interruption, gang/crew violence prevention, and trauma-informed care. In addition, solicitations have been made that have sought alternative solutions to increasing public safety. Past grants in this category focused on entrepreneurship and mediation initiatives.

ONSE seeks to partner with community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, DC small businesses, members of the clergy, and individuals who are interested in preventing incidents of gun violence, thereby increasing public safety of residents and visitors in the District.

To learn about the application process and the steps to become a ONSE grantee, view the information links below:

FINAL - FY24 Information Session
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Below find links to information about ONSE Grants and other opportunities.