Higher Hope Foundation Opens 2026 Grant Program for US Victim Support Groups

Eligibility and Program Focus for 2026

The Higher Hope Foundation has opened its grant cycle for 2026, targeting 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organizations across the United States. The program is specifically designed to provide financial assistance to groups that support victims of violent crime and their surrounding communities. According to the foundation, the grant helps organizations expand victim support services, develop innovative programmes, strengthen community healing efforts, and create sustainable solutions for individuals and families affected by violence.

The program supports a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Victim advocacy and educational outreach.
• Healing resources and community support services.
• Direct assistance and resource provision for individuals and families affected by violence.
• The creation of sustainable solutions for long-term victim support.

The Higher Hope Foundation works with organizations of various sizes, ranging from local grassroots initiatives to national programs. They prioritize those that demonstrate clear project objectives, sustainable impact plans, and efficient resource allocation, while specifically favoring groups that show innovative approaches to victim support and community healing.

Application Requirements and Funding Limits

Applicants may request up to $5,000 per applicant or project. Interested organizations are encouraged to visit the foundation’s application website to apply. The deadline for all submissions is January 1, 2027. ScholarshipChanel, which provides information on such opportunities for educational and public benefit purposes, advises that while they strive for accuracy, applicants are strongly encouraged to independently verify all details from official sources before applying, noting that eligibility criteria and deadlines may change.

Institutional Support and Grant Writing Strategies

The university maintains a Grants Academy designed to assist faculty and staff in pursuing external funding. When Dr. Yolanda Carr, director of OSP, was hired in 2018, she expressed enthusiasm for the academy, stating, "By offering hands-on training, the academy walks participants through the entire pre-award process. OSP has a great team of staff who work with the participants to be successful by assisting them in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue external funding."

Participants in the academy have found the experience beneficial for navigating the grant-seeking landscape. Hannah England, director of academic coaching, attended the May 18-20 session. I'd seen the Grants Academy pop up every year and assumed it was for faculty. Then I realized it's open to faculty and staff members who are wanting to write grants, England said. She noted her surprise at the vast amount of grants offered for educational purposes.

Reflecting on the process of identifying funding, England stated, There's so much money out there to be found. You must search for it, know what you're looking for and find the companies or the people whose vision matches yours. She further added, It's nice to know that UNG has processes in place to support someone pre-grant, post-grant and all the way through that journey.

Community Impact and Practical Application

Successful grant utilization often involves connecting with the community. At UNG, the Department of Public Safety hosted Lemonade Stands in the fall 2025 semester, an event supported by a community-focused Walmart grant. The initiative allowed officers to engage with students, faculty, and staff across all five campuses. According to Hause, who utilized the grant to spread awareness of resources for victims of crime, the events were highly interactive.

People would come to the lemonade stands and talk with police officers and me. They would interact with Mavis, our therapy dog, Hause said. We gave information on our LiveSafe app. I shared which safety options are available and reporting options. It was overall beneficial. We got to meet a lot of students because of it. Hause credited her success to the support of the academy and OSP staff, noting, Going to Grants Academy and understanding the knowledge that they hold in this area was a really cool experience. I worked on writing the grant in the academy. They helped me every step of the way.

As the January 1, 2027, deadline for the Higher Hope Foundation’s Hope Grant Program approaches, potential applicants are encouraged to prepare their proposals by focusing on the foundation’s requirements for sustainable impact and clear, innovative objectives for victim and community support.

Sources: ung.edu.