2024 CPC Grants
Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC) grants fund local, Cleveland-based violence prevention, restorative-justice, and mediation programs that reduce the need for police activity.
Background
The Cleveland Community Police Commission (CPC), an independent civilian body, was created to ensure effective, constitutional policing in Cleveland that aligns with community values. The CPC oversees the Cleveland Division of Police, and responds to community needs and concerns with regards to the regulation, discipline, training, policy-making, and accountability of the City’s police force. By law, the CPC receives at least 0.5% of the amount budgeted for the Division of Police to provide grants for specific community-based projects centered around restorative justice, violence prevention, and mediation.
The CPC will consider grant proposals that:
- Meet the criteria outlined in Section 115-5 of the Cleveland Code of Ordinances, which states that one of the CPC’s roles is to make grants for “community-based violence prevention, restorative-justice, and mediation programs to reduce the need for police activity.”
- Advance the goals and mission of the CPC.
- Are submitted by nonprofit organizations with active 501(c)(3) tax exempt status or grassroots organizations and/or individuals working with an established fiscal agent with active 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Applicants using a fiscal agent must submit a copy of their official contract with their fiscal agent outlining the responsibilities and obligations of both parties. All applicants must be based in the city of Cleveland proper or by residents who live in Cleveland.
- Demonstrate a track record of establishing partnerships with existing programs, key stakeholders, or organizations within the community; or outline clear plans to establish such partnerships.
- Do not create conflicts of interest for the CPC or its Commissioners that cannot be addressed or resolved.
The CPC will NOT award grants to:
- Individuals or groups without a fiscal agent, for-profit firms or commercial organizations.
- Support fundraising, endowments, annual appeals, membership drives, lobbying; or to fund political candidates or issue campaigns.
- Fill funding shortfalls or support capital projects.
- Organizations that in their constitution, by-laws or practices discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, ability, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.
- Fund projects that have already been completed.
- Organizations that have already received CPC funding in the same grant cycle.
Funding Levels
The CPC will award grants up to $50,000. We will consider grant requests for larger amounts with the understanding there will be a longer and more extensive approval process. Applicants should request the amount that meets the needs of the proposed program and that is consistent with the organization’s capacity and other anticipated or received support.
The CPC does not make multi-year commitments, but may fund the same organization on a year-by-year basis. The CPC will consider grants to intermediary organizations that propose the regranting of funds for other eligible projects.
Eligible and Non-eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses are charges incurred by a program that can be covered with CPC grant funds. Non-eligible expenses are charges incurred by a program that cannot be covered or reimbursed by CPC grant funds.
If you have a specific question on whether an expense or cost is eligible, please contact us before submitting your application.
Non-eligible Expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Paying off debt
- Certain travel costs (eg. flying first class)
- Car rentals
- Entertainment costs
- Fines and penalties
- Fundraising Costs
- Interest
- Lobbying costs
- Utility bills
Please note:
- Applicants will be notified of the CPC’s decision by email.
- An interim report will be due six months after funds are disbursed; a final report is required within 30 days of project completion or 12 months after funds are disbursed; the CPC reserves the right to request updates at their discretion.
Program Definitions
The CPC will consider grant applications for community-based violence prevention, restorative justice, or mediation programs that reduce the need for police activity. Please use the general definitions below to help determine if your program meets the grant requirements.
Restorative Justice Program: An approach that seeks healing by bringing together the community member who has been harmed and the person responsible for the harm. The goal is to give the person who committed the offense an opportunity to take responsibility for their action and to discourage them from causing further harm. For the community member who has been harmed, the goal is to give them an active role in the process and to reduce feelings of anxiety and powerlessness.
Violence Prevention: An approach that uses evidence-informed strategies to reduce violence through community-centered initiatives that address trauma, provide opportunity, and improve the physical, social, and economic conditions that drive violence.
Mediation Program: A constructive, participant-led process for resolving conflicts between individuals, groups and organizations that offer participants an opportunity to discuss their own and their community’s unique concerns and needs. Mediators provide a safe and supportive environment for participants to hold difficult conversations and ensure participants retain decision-making authority over the conflict resolution process and outcome.
How to Apply
The United Black Fund has been contracted by the CPC to facilitate our search for grantees. Interested parties should start here, then click on the “Apply for Grants” button. Once on the grants page, scroll down until you see the CPC’s logo and click on the “Apply Here” button. The final step before starting a new application is to create a new account. Organizations that have applied previously should reset their password by clicking the “Forgot Your Password” link. Please note that organizations that have been awarded a grant by the CPC before are welcome to apply again, even if all the funds from the 2023-2024 grant cycle haven’t been distributed yet.
Contact Us
CPC staff is available to answer questions and guide you through the process. Please feel free to contact us using our contact form, by phone at 216-505-5920, or via email at clecpc@clevelandohio.gov. We also encourage applicants to contact the UBF for any questions regarding the application process. Their phone number is 216-566-9263.
Awarded Grants
- 2023 Awarded Grants
Number of Awards: 26
Total Amount Awarded: $1,080,000