PHILADELPHIA – Today Mayor Cherelle L. Parker joined Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer and the Office of Public Safety to announce its 2026 grantees for the Targeted Community Investment Grant (TCIG) level of the department’s strategic Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants (AVCPG) program, which will award a total of $25 million to over 150 organizations before the end of 2026. The grants support the Parker Administration’s comprehensive public safety strategy, which combines law enforcement, prevention, intervention, workforce development, and community investment to address the root causes of violence.

For this round of TCIG grants, 47 organizations were awarded more than $1.177 million in funding for initiatives that address violence prevention, expand community capacity, and target investments that create a lasting impact in Philadelphia. The TCIG grant is the lowest level of the AVCPG program, with grantees eligible to receive $1,500 – $50,000 over two years and simultaneously entitled to technical assistance with the expectation that they build capacity within their organization, develop, and pursue more competitive sources of sustainable funding in the future.

“The people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “That’s why our Administration is investing directly in the community-based and grassroots organizations doing the daily work of preventing violence, supporting young people, and creating opportunity in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. These investments are part of our commitment to making Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in America, with access to economic opportunity for all.”

The Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants program is designed to restore dignity, opportunity, and safety to the neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. By intentionally investing in smaller, grassroots organizations—and providing wraparound support and technical assistance—OPS is not just funding programs, but helping to build the internal infrastructure local leaders need to drive sustainable change in their own communities. Through diverse approaches, the AVCPG program aims to heal and intentionally target Philadelphia neighborhoods the gun violence crisis in the city hurts the most.
The AVCPG has three funding tiers:

• Targeted Community Investment Grant (TCIG): TCIG funds community-based violence prevention programs and activities that improve public safety, increase opportunities for self-development and care, and build a stronger sense of community in neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. Funding awards range from $1,500 to $50,000.
• Community Capacity Grant (CCG): The newest of the three grant programs, CCG is an invitation only funding level for experienced TCIG grantees who have shown excellence during the granting process. CCG award amounts range from$50,000 to $100,000. CCG grantees have access to customized training to assist them in sustainably scaling up their programs to the level of a Community Expansion Grant.
• Community Expansion Grant (CEG): CEG funds and supports organizations that focus on reducing violence through trauma-informed healing, restorative practices, safe havens, and mentorship. Award amounts range from $100,000 to $1 million.

Grantees in all three tiers of the grant program receive technical assistance from trusted City partners to guarantee they can effectively serve their communities and scale up their program when ready. Organizations not selected in this TCIG cohort are still invited to these technical assistance programs for training in anticipation that they will be better prepared for successful applications next year. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for the 2026 CCG and CEG levels will be open and be awarded later in 2026.

“These organizations are trusted voices in their neighborhoods and are already doing the work every day to prevent violence and create opportunity. Our role is to provide the resources, training, and support they need to strengthen their impact and build sustainable programs that serve communities for years to come,” said Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer.

In the selection process for the new round of grantees, the Office of Public Safety conducted a thorough review of all applicants. Grantees submitted written applications and were interviewed by a panel of experienced professionals and subject matter experts who thoroughly examined the feasibility of proposed programming, as well as the ability of the organization to responsibly spend City funds within the contract timeline. Grant applications and proposals were evaluated with a rubric including categories such as: clarity of vision, timely and efficient completion of the project, qualifications of staff, superior prior experience, and budget feasibility.

“As Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, these grass roots organizations are pivotal in reducing crime and homicides in our neighborhoods. They serve as credible messengers and boots on the ground implementing essential programming which has already proven to curtail crime in recent years. I want to thank Mayor Parker and Director Geer and the Office of Public Safety, Division of Community Grants, for their ongoing efforts and I look forward to our partnership in the future,” said Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., 4^th District and Chair, Public Safety Committee.

The 47 organizations represent neighborhoods across Philadelphia and include a mix of emerging grassroots organizations and established community partners. A comprehensive list of Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grant grantees can be found on the PhillyStat 360 website.

Watch the video of the full press event here.

Quotes provided by AVCPG stakeholders and partners about the program:

“TCIG invests in the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that helps nonprofit organizations grow and sustain their impact: the technical assistance, capacity-building support, and guidance provided through this program have been invaluable to organizations like ours. For Diamond Beauty Academy, that support helped strengthen our organizational foundation and gave us the confidence and tools to pursue larger funding opportunities, including applying for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant. That level of investment in nonprofit development is rare, and it is one of the reasons this program has such a meaningful impact across our city. I am grateful to the City of Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker, Director Adam Geer, and the TCIG program for investing in organizations like ours and, most importantly, investing in our youth,” said Danielle McLane, CEO/Executive Director, Diamond Beauty Cosmetics & Academy.

“The TCIG grant is about more than funding. It builds the capacity of grantees to do their work better. For a newer nonprofit like FamFrequency Productions, that means everything. Through the pro-bono consulting services offered to grantees, we were able to commission an independent focus group study led by Dr. Sara Solomon that revealed things about our programming we simply would not have found on our own. That knowledge is now directly shaping how we build and refine our curriculum at FamFrequency. When organizations like ours are stronger and more sustainable, we can serve more young people, more effectively, and that is ultimately what keeps more kids in Philadelphia safe,” – said Jonathan Edwards, Director, FamFrequency Productions.

“The TCIG grant allowed us to host eight free family workshops last summer. It helped us to cover the cost of our programming and prepared us for future grant opportunities. It was a catalyst for us to expand our model, allowing us to offer our programming in an additional location this year,” said Linda Fernandez, Amber Art & Design.