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Public Safety Trust Fund Community Grants Program
Have an idea that could help make our community safer? You may be eligible for funding through the Public Safety Trust Fund Community Grants Program.
The City of Grand Rapids is offering grants of $10,000+ awards to support community-based initiatives to make our city a safer place!
Important Dates
Grant Application Opens October 1, 2026
Staff & Public Safety Committee Review November 17, 2026
Grant Recipients Notified December 1, 2026
About
The Public Safety Trust Fund is awarded through the Public Safety Revenue Sharing Grants Program through the State of Michigan. These funds are designated to support public safety related activities, with specific requirements for how they are distributed. State guidelines require that:
- At least 75% of the funds support law enforcement.
- Up to 25% may be used for broader public safety purposes (approximately $400,000).
Intended uses include:
- $200,000 for internal City Projects like SAFE Taskforce, OPA's Violence Prevention and Intervention programs and community mediation efforts.
- $200,000 for External Community Grants Program.
Grant Parameters
- Minimum award: $10,000
- Examples of eligible used include:
- Violence prevention and intervention programs
- Community-based safety initiatives
- Training and workforce development programs
- Community-based diversion or alternative response programs
- All funded activities must align with State requirements and demonstrate a clear connection to improving public safety outcomes.
Application
Who Can Apply?
- Eligible applicants include community-based organizations and groups serving Grand Rapids residents, such as:
- Registered nonprofit organizations (e.g. 501(c)(3)
- Neighborhood associations or resident-led groups
- Faith-based organizations
- Schools or educational institutions
- Informal community groups (with an identified fiduciary or sponsor organization, if required)
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear connection to the Grand Rapids community and the ability to successfully implement the proposed project.
Application and Review Process
- The City will implement a transparent, community-focused application process modeled on established neighborhood grantmaking approaches.
- Applications will be reviewed by a cross-departmental committee with representation from the Office of Equity and Engagement (OEE), Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA), Community Development Department, Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD), and Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD).
- Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Alignments with public safety goals
- Demonstrated community impact
- Feasibility and organizational capacity
- Focus on prevention and risk reduction
More Information
To learn more about the State of Michigan's Public Safety Revenue Sharing, follow the link below.
https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/local/share/public-safety-revenue-sharing
