April brings attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an annual campaign created by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) to educate the public on sexual violence and how to prevent it. USFCR has gathered a list of select funding opportunities for organizations that assist those suffering or healing from domestic violence. Our team of grant consultants is here to assist organizations in the preparation of any of the following grant applications.

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation is offering grants to emergency domestic violence shelters—with a physical shelter—that provide innovative and life-saving services to women and children seeking safety from abuse. Applications are accepted annually, and open from January 1 to April 30. Applicants are notified of their status by August, and awards and funds are announced and distributed by September or October. Grants are $20,000, with a minimum of one grant awarded per state.

In addition to operating a physical shelter housing female survivors of domestic violence, eligible applicants must be:

• A 501c3 organization,
• In operation longer than 5 years,
• At least one year removed from receiving an MKAF grant, and
• Primarily providing shelter to women who have experienced domestic violence.

Applicants must also provide detailed information on services, programs offered, populations served, and other questions along with supporting documentation. Additionally, shelters may attach an optional letter of recommendation from a Mary Kay Independent Sales Force member within their grant application materials. 

RedRover is offering funds to help survivors of domestic violence by removing a barrier to safety and allowing pets and people to escape abuse together. Grants of up to $60,000 will be offered to nonprofit domestic violence and animal organizations across the United States. Applications are accepted on a cyclical basis, with deadlines being on March 1^st, June 1^st, and September 1^st.

Eligible Applicants

• Applicants must be a registered nonprofit based in the United States.
• Applicants must be either an established domestic violence organization or an established animal organization, interested in expanding their services to help domestic violence survivors keep their pets.
• Applicants must have a partner organization. Domestic violence organizations must form a partnership with at least one animal organization with experience housing animals, animal organizations must form a partnership with at least one domestic violence organization. This is to ensure that domestic violence organizations have a partner who can help with animal care information and overflow boarding when needed.

Grants cannot be used for costs related to salaries, training, real estate acquisition, promotional materials/advertising, starting a new organization, or supporting existing programs that are not expanding their capacity to help animals. 

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation is accepting proposals for research projects that address aggression and violence. The Foundation is interested in violence-related subjects, including:

• Family and intimate partner relationships
• Climate instability and natural resource competition
• Racial, ethnic, and religious conflict
• Political extremism and nationalism
• Terrorism
• Crime
• War

Up to $45,000 will be awarded to individual researchers for specific projects, not general research support. Awardees must possess a Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or an equivalent degree. Applicants need not be affiliated with an institution of higher learning, although common applicants are college or university professors. Applications must be submitted by August 1^st for a decision in December. Awards ordinarily commence on January 1, but later starting dates may be requested if the nature of the research deems it appropriate.

Ineligible Applicants/Expenses

• Institutions for institutional programs;
• Support research as a part of the requirements for a graduate or doctoral program;
• Overhead costs for institutions, travel to professional meetings, self-education, costly laboratory or field equipment, dissemination of research findings, or graduate-degree research; or
• Support for meetings or conferences.

The KFC Foundation is funding capacity-building projects that make a lasting impact on organizations and the local community. For its Spring cycle, the Foundation will focus on the topic of improving health and well-being. Examples of eligible programs include accommodations for individuals with disabilities, domestic shelter upgrades, mobile health clinic creation, or playground improvements. Funding may be used to fund equipment or contract labor if professional services are needed to complete a project or if equipment purchases to complete the project are acceptable.

The Foundation wants to invest in projects that create new resources, expand program offerings, or repair critical infrastructure. Preference will be given to projects that can be completed within 6-12 months of receiving the grant. Final determinations will be made within 60 days of the submission deadline, April 18, 2025.

Applicants must either be a 501c3 nonprofit, a governmental entity, or another IRS-recognized charitable organization that has maintained good standing with the IRS for at least two years. Eligible nonprofits must be based in the U.S., serve individuals in the U.S., and must operate on the local level—or to an affiliate/chapter of a larger organization that operates locally—that directly benefits the surrounding community. 

Nonprofits can apply for up to $10,000 of funding, but their total project costs must not exceed $25,000.

Ineligible Costs

• Staff salaries
• Sponsoring events
• Ongoing or recurring programs/events
• Scholarships, including waived programs or membership fees

Additional Resources

USFCR offers additional resources to nonprofit organizations, shelters, and individuals looking to address domestic violence, including sexual assault.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline: This hotline assists individuals suffering from domestic violence and offers resources to those looking to understand and identify abuse.
• RAINN: RAINN’s sexual assault hotline, statistics, press center, and other support resources provide the necessary assistance to victims and survivors of sexual violence.
• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): The NSVRC provides resources to bring awareness to sexual violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
• The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI): SAKI provides resources for survivors of sexual assault.
• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): The DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) provides resources for survivors of domestic violence, including news/publications, funding, legislation and regulations, et cetera.
• The Robin McGraw & Dr. Phil Foundation: The Foundation focuses on supporting activities that address children—especially in the foster care system—and domestic violence, including assault and human trafficking.
• The American Kennel Club's Humane Fund: The Fund provides financial assistance to domestic abuse shelters that accept pets.  
• The HBIC HQ Foundation: The Foundation supports women's entrepreneurship, providing workshops to survivors of domestic abuse, homelessness, foster youth, or other adversities.

Need Assistance?

USFCR’s Consulting Division offers assistance on grant applications through both grant writing and review & submission services. To learn more about grant services or the sourcing of other grants, please contact us at (877) 252-2700 or complete the grant assessment below.

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