The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is opening the application process for its fifth annual Community Crime Prevention Award program, which provides 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 2024 Community Crime Prevention Award program will distribute a total of $250,000 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.

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 Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 5 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for funding.