OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Invitation to Apply | O OVW 2023 171765

Opportunity Information: Apply for O OVW 2023 171765

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions program is a Department of Justice funding opportunity designed to support the ongoing development and day-to-day operation of tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions. The program is rooted in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) framework and is authorized under federal law at 34 U.S.C. 10441(d) and 12511(d). In practice, the funding is meant to strengthen coalition infrastructure so these organizations can coordinate responses to domestic violence and sexual assault, expand access to victim-centered services, and improve collaboration among tribal and community partners.

This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number O-OVW-2023-171765) is a mandatory grant in the Law, Justice and Legal Services category and is tied to CFDA 16.557. OVW describes the program as supporting nonprofit, nongovernmental tribal coalitions, with an approach that provides a consistent base level of support across recognized coalitions. Each recognized coalition receives an equal amount of base funding, and coalitions that focus on sexual assault (as well as dual coalitions that address both domestic violence and sexual assault) receive an additional amount specifically intended to bolster sexual assault-focused work. The emphasis on sexual assault funding recognizes that coalitions often need targeted resources to build specialized capacity, training, prevention strategies, and survivor services in that area.

Eligibility is aimed at organizations that function as tribal coalitions rather than tribal governments themselves. Eligible applicants include Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), and other entities as further clarified in the program’s eligibility guidance. The intent is to fund coalition entities that are independent, nonprofit, and positioned to convene stakeholders, provide training and technical assistance, and promote coordinated community responses within and across tribal communities.

A notable update for FY 2023 is the expansion of who can qualify as a "tribal coalition" under federal statute. The VAWA Technical Amendments Act of 2022 revised the statutory definition of "tribal coalition" (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(42)) and updated the authorizing language for the Tribal Coalitions Program (34 U.S.C. 10441(d)) to include certain organizations that address domestic violence and sexual assault against Native Hawaiian women by providing services to Native Hawaiian communities. These amendments, enacted in Public Law 117-315 (136 Stat. 4404), took effect on December 28, 2022, which means they apply to the FY 2023 funding cycle described in this invitation to apply. This change is significant because it explicitly broadens access to coalition funding for organizations serving Native Hawaiian communities, aligning program eligibility with a wider understanding of tribal and Indigenous community needs.

From a funding and awards perspective, the opportunity anticipated around 20 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $378,255. The application window opened with a posting/creation date of June 30, 2023, and an original closing date of August 4, 2023. While OVW’s public synopsis does not spell out every allowable activity in this excerpt, the program’s stated purpose makes clear that funds are intended to sustain coalition operations and capacity, including coordinating statewide or regional efforts, supporting policy and systems change work, offering training and technical assistance, and strengthening networks that improve responses to domestic violence and sexual assault in tribal settings.

OVW also ties this program to its broader performance and accountability structure. Applicants and award recipients are expected to align work with OVW program goals and to report using OVW’s performance measurement approach under the VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative. OVW points prospective applicants to program information on the OVW Grants and Programs webpage, the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative resources, and the agency’s reporting to Congress on VAWA program effectiveness. In other words, beyond simply funding services, OVW is signaling that coalitions should be prepared to track progress, document outcomes, and show how their activities contribute to stronger systems and better safety and support for survivors.

• The Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Invitation to Apply" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.557.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 30, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 04, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $378,255.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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