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Awards

Community Crime Prevention Awards

Applications are now Closed

 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is opening the application process for its fourth annual Community Crime Prevention Award program, which will provide monetary awards ranging from $2,500-$10,000 to nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups and others engaged in projects or programs that address:

  • Neighborhood safety

  • Crime prevention

  • Drug abuse education and prevention

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is seeking applications from eligible community groups in an effort to reduce and prevent crime in Orange County. The awards will enable community partners to work in alignment with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to support evidence-based violence reduction, safety and drug abuse education and prevention programs.

OCSO’s 2023 Community Crime Prevention Award program will distribute a total of $200,000 in awards that do not require applicants to provide matching funds. The awards are made possible utilizing seized contraband assets which are held in the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund. Applicants may request a maximum of up to $10,000 in funding, but the award recipients and amounts will be selected at the sole discretion of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Only one application per organization will be accepted. Organizations that offer multiple programs may include funding requests for different programs within one proposal. The applicant’s proposal may request funding for any new project, ongoing program, or regularly-held event as long as the project, program, or event meets all of the eligibility criteria.

 

Who may apply?

The award program will provide funds to community groups, associations, agencies, or nonprofit organizations which provide services to residents within the boundaries of Orange County. Funds will not be provided to support the start-up of a new group. Preference will be given to established applicants who serve the unincorporated areas of Orange County.

community crime prevention grant program image

What are the application eligibility criteria?

To be considered for funding a program or project must:

  • Fall within one of the statutorily approved  categories listed above
  • Submit an application describing their program or project and provide a detailed, itemized list of items to be purchased with award funds
  • Follow the directions below regarding submission of the Proposal

All Applicants approved for funding will be required to enter into a legal agreement with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office setting forth the terms and conditions under which funds may be expended and outlining all accounting requirements.

 

What are the criteria to be selected for funding?

Projects or programs will be rated using the following criteria:

  • The application must be completed in full and received prior to the deadline. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.
  • The application must provide a clear understanding of the program or project, expected benefits to the community and how it meets the criteria for the award.
  • The applicant must have a commitment from the participants in the program or project. Special consideration will be given to programs or projects with letters of recommendation from community members, faith leaders, neighborhood associations, or local businesses.
  • The applicant must have a program or project that is well-planned, and ready for implementation or is a part of a broader, ongoing effort, with a well- defined method for demonstrating that the funds are spent appropriately.

 

Projects that will NOT be considered for the award program:

  • Projects or improvements that are the responsibility of a homeowner’s association.
  • Funds for off-duty law enforcement
  • Target hardening for private entities (fences, safety walls, cameras)

 

How will the Orange County Sheriff's Office decide which projects are funded?

All applications that meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be reviewed by an internal Funding Approval Committee. Sheriff John Mina will make the final determination of awards. The awards must be ratified by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners before the funds are released.

 

To apply:

Agencies or organizations wishing to apply for Community Crime Prevention Awards must fill out the award application in full and submit it to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office no later than Friday, December 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for funding.

 

 

2022 Awardees

Autism Society of Greater Orlando

For its autism-related law enforcement training.

 

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Brooke Jenkins Dream 360 Center

For a series of programs and experiences that teach young people about the risks involved with criminal behavior.

 

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Butterfly Transformation Outreach Inc

We envision a world in which girls 8-18 and women of all ages value their complete selves, discover their inner strength, and reach their highest potential.

 

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Central Florida Urban League

To fund 10 laptop computers for its at-risk youth mentoring program.

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Eight Waves

for its free, after-school reading, sports and outreach programs in West Orange County and East Winter Garden

 

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Boys2Men Mentoring program

Fresh Breath International for its Boys2Men Mentoring program, providing positive male role models who listen, encourage and empower boys ages 10-18

 

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Foundation for Foster Children

For travel expenses associated with providing advocacy and mentorship

 

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Grow Central Florida

For its Community Ball Drive, which provides 3,500 sports resource bags for law enforcement

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Health by Design USA Inc

For its Culture Club Expressions program that uses art to detour teen vaping

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I See My Destiny

for program supplies and curriculum for the “We Own Wednesdays” and “The Little Things That Count” programs to help young people build confidence, establish healthy relationships, set goals, and take action in the community

 

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Let Your Voice Be Heard, Inc.

For its mobile mentoring program, Brothers Get Up, designed to respond to incidents of violent crime involving juveniles to meet the youth “where they are”

Man Up Mentoring, Inc.

To fund participation in the PeaceJam Conference at Florida State University to provide positive role models, build cross-cultural understanding, and increase social responsibility and academic performance.

 

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Morgan Ministries

For Project Reach, a program to target youth and their families through mentoring and parent support

 

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Orlando Youth Alliance

To train volunteers on suicide prevention techniques and to provide self-defense instruction to LGBTQ youth

 

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Paving the Way Foundation Inc

For its sex trafficking and exploitation educational training and awareness programs

 

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S&D Enterprises CDC

To expand its sober, transitional housing and re-entry program for men, women and veterans coming out of prison

 

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See It Bigger Ministries

To provide equipment for nature-based outings as part of its outreach to at-risk youth in the Christmas and Bithlo areas

 

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So You Want Your Name In Lights

For its arts, music and performance program for underserved youth between the ages of 12 and 17

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The Faine House

For its residential program for young adults who have aged out of foster care

 

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The Keri Anne DeMott Foundation

For its “No More Empty Seats” program, which focuses on awareness and prevention of drunk, impaired and distracted driving

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Previous Awardees

AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER ORLANDO

AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER ORLANDO

For its autism-related law enforcement training.

 

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NADHD FOUNDATION - BLACK BOTTOM HOUSE OF PRAYER

NADHD FOUNDATION - BLACK BOTTOM HOUSE OF PRAYER

For its educational, cultural and financial literacy programs.

 

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NOBLE Central Florida Chapter

NOBLE Central Florida Chapter

For its Law & You Community program, an interactive training and mentoring initiative for those 13-18 years old, designed to improve interactions with law enforcement.

 

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Change for the Community

Change for the Community

To fund six field trips aligned with its mentorship and crime-prevention mission.

 

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Gay Officers Action League of Central Florida

Gay Officers Action League of Central Florida

To support equipment and presentation material for its Hate Crimes Symposium for law enforcement and criminal justice professionals.

 

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Got Skills Orlando

Got Skills Orlando

For its character and leadership development workshop for teenage boys.

 

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Health By Design USA Inc.

Health By Design USA Inc.

For it's Culture Club of Expression to detour teen vaping.

 

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LGBTQ+ Center of Orlando

LGBTQ+ Center of Orlando

For their narcan distribution and opioid abuse prevention programs.

 

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Morgan Ministries

Morgan Ministries

For its REACH mentoring program, which focuses on self-esteem, conflict resolution, anger management, life skills and substance abuse prevention.

 

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New Image Youth Center

New Image Youth Center

For its Credible Messengers youth programming and mentoring, as well as nontraditional arts and fitness activities.

 

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NUEVO SENDERO INC.

NUEVO SENDERO INC.

To fund program supplies for its Art for Healing program for low income Hispanic youth.

 

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ORLANDO YOUTH ALLIANCE

ORLANDO YOUTH ALLIANCE

For its weekly mentoring and mental health support groups for LGBTQ throughout Orange County.

 

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So You Want Your Name in Lights

So You Want Your Name in Lights

For its arts, music and performance programs for underserved youth between the ages of 12 and 17.

 

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Community Life Improvement Center

Community Life Improvement Center

For its Engaging Youth of Incarcerated Parents mentoring program, which promotes positive behavior and emphasizes the achievement of attainable goals.

 

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The Perfect Journal

The Perfect Journal

For its Circle of Hope Mentoring program for middle and high school students, focusing on academic assistance, crime prevention and college and career planning.

The Tough Biker Corporation

The Tough Biker Corporation

For helping at-risk youth become skilled in mountain biking, bicycle safety and allows them a creative form of recreation and mentoring opportunities.

 

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United Foundation of Central Florida Inc.

United Foundation of Central Florida Inc.

To purchase computers and tablets for its Future Leaders United After School Enrichment and Mentoring Program in Pine Hills.

 

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TOUGHBIKER

 

Tough Biker Orlando ​is an urban, crit-style mountain/cyclocross bike challenge through downtown city streets, public parks and parking garages. Tough Biker is committed to helping at-risk youth through the sport of mountain biking. Proceeds benefit charities who assist at-risk youth in Central Florida. We focus our mentoring on cycling and getting more kids on bikes!

 

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So You Want Your Name In Lights

 

So You Want Your Name In Lights Youth Mentoring Program is an arts-focused, crime-prevention project designed to encourage under-served youth to make good choices while developing character, confidence, leadership and self-esteem.

 

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The Keri Anne DeMott Foundation

The Keri Anne DeMott Foundation

In honor of Keri Anne DeMott, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2015, we raise awareness about drunk, impaired, and distracted driving as well as bullying social media and texting.

 

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Embrace Families Community Based Care

Embrace Families Community Based Care

The organization works to prevent child abuse and neglect, to strengthen families, and to care for our community’s children in foster care. 

 

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BOYS2MEN MENTORING

BOYS2MEN MENTORING

Boys 2 Men is a long-term mentoring program that increases the probability of boys ages 10-18 graduating high school while also decreasing Juvenile Delinquency.

 

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Wake Up Mentoring, Inc.

Wake Up Mentoring, Inc.

Our mission is to help socially and economically at-risk youth within Orange, Osceola, and Seminole County School Districts to become tomorrow’s leaders.

 

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Hope City Refuge

Hope City Refuge

Hope City Refuge is a principle based, core value centered environment that impacts individuals and families transiting out of crisis.

 

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Butterfly Transformation Outreach Inc

Butterfly Transformation Outreach Inc

We envision a world in which girls 8-18 and women of all ages value their complete selves, discover their inner strength, and reach their highest potential.

 

Visit Website

Mental Health Association of Central Florida

Mental Health Association of Central Florida

We provide mental health services, support and information to the Central Florida community and since COVID-19, we have pivoted to a telehealth delivery model.

 

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Central Florida Writers and Publishers Guild

Central Florida Writers and Publishers Guild

We are a non-profit delivering stellar events  and services that inspire and motivate like-minded to  celebrate the written word.

 

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Just Write Consulting Inc

Just Write Consulting Inc

The Central Florida Young Writers Project engages our inner-city youth, developing writing talents into passions, which in turn adds personal intrinsic value to our young writers.

 

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Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership

Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership

Lock Your Meds is a universal prevention campaign intended to save lives by preventing prescription drug misuse, which is the fastest growing substance misuse problem in America.

 

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Circle of Hope Mentoring Program 

Circle of Hope Mentoring Program 

The Circle of Hope Mentoring Program offers a wide array of programs and services to middle and high school students including job-readiness, college and career planning, conflict resolution and drug abuse education and prevention.

 

MAN UP Mentoring, Inc.

MAN UP Mentoring, Inc.

MAN UP Mentoring serves at-risk youth ages 11 thru completion of high school or the equivalent, with a focus on delinquency prevention and intervention by providing social, educational and mentoring services.

 

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