States and Territories

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Formula Grants to States and Territories are the primary federal funding stream dedicated to providing immediate shelter and supportive services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents. 

This funding stream, a 70% set-aside required by FVPSA, supports more than 1,600 local public, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and programs demonstrating effectiveness in the field of domestic violence services and prevention. 

These programs provide victims of domestic and dating violence, and their children, with: 

• Shelter 

• Safety planning 

• Crisis counseling 

• Information and referral 

• Legal advocacy 

• Additional support services 

Program Goals 

This grant supports states and territories in establishing, maintaining, and expanding programs and projects to: 

1. Increase public awareness about, and primary and secondary prevention of, family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. 

2. Provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents. 

3. Provide specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including victims who are members of underserved populations. 

Funding Opportunity 

FVPSA Grants to States and Territories are awarded through a Standing Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) — FVPSA Standing NOFO Domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services/Grants to States. Because this is a non-competitive, formula/mandatory grant program, funding is announced annually through this standing announcement rather than a competitive application cycle.