The OVC is offering this grant to increase legal access and innovation for victims of crime.

Under Purpose Area 1, by statute, eligible applicants are limited to states, units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), and nonprofit (defined as an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 and is exempt from taxation under 501(a) of such title), nongovernmental organizations (including tribal nonprofits). An applicant must demonstrate a history of providing services, (e.g., victim assistance, social services, legal services, shelter, or mental health services), to human trafficking survivors. Additionally, an applicant must demonstrate that “subaward” organizations that host legal fellows providing legal services for human trafficking survivors have a demonstrated history of providing services to human trafficking survivors. Nonprofit organizations that hold money in offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax described in 26 U.S.C. § 511(a) are not eligible to apply.

Under Purpose Areas 2 and 3, eligible applicants are limited to private nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit organizations); faith and community-based organizations; colleges and universities (including tribal institutions of higher education); and public agencies, federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), or tribal organizations that can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of civil legal representation for crime victims and the range of services needed; knowledge, and ability to successfully execute the development of training, technical assistance, public awareness, and other informational resources to meet the needs of victim service providers and allied practitioners who serve them; and the capacity to partner with other organizations and key stakeholders to deliver comprehensive, seamless legal services to victims. For these purpose areas, a private nonprofit organization does not have to have 501(c)(3) status to apply for grant funding under this solicitation.

Purpose Area 2 applicants must have the staff, resources, and capability to develop or enhance a model for delivery of these services. An applicant must demonstrate that it proposes to serve a rural area or rural community, and that there is a demonstrated need for legal services in this area. The applicant must provide their definition of a “rural area” or “rural community,” and explain why the targeted area meets the applicant’s definition of “rural area” or “rural community.”

OVC may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2017 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

OVC anticipates that it will make awards under three distinct purpose areas.
•Purpose Area 1 – Increase Capacity and Access to Civil Legal Help for Crime Victims Through Legal Fellows Program (Legal Fellows Program) – one award, up to $4,000,000, for a 2-year performance period.

•Purpose Area 2 – Using Technology/Other Innovations to Increase Legal Access in Rural Areas – one award, up to $3,150,000, for a 3-year performance period.

•Purpose Area 3 – Training and Technical Assistance – Legal Partnerships Increasing Medical Care Advocacy to Crime Victims – one award, up to $1,000,000, for a 2-year performance period.