Passed in 1990, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) mandates institutions of higher education to report crimes on or around their campuses and make their student safety policies transparent.
The Act requires daily posted crime logs and that an annual report be released to students and employees on October 1. Crime statistic reports must cover four types:
- Criminal offenses
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) offenses
- Hate crimes
- Disciplinary action arrests/referrals
Other requirements are timely warnings, emergency notifications, crime prevention education, written explanation of student/employee victim rights and disciplinary proceedings from trained facilitators following procedural rights.
Jeanne Clery was only 19 when she was raped and murdered in 1986 in her dorm room. Her parents had no access to campus crime statistics at that time, and they lobbied for legislative action to protect other students from enduring what Jeanne did.
Colleges are a much safer place due to the Clery Act, but there is also funding available to make higher education campuses even safer. What follows are some grant opportunities and other useful resources for improving college campus safety.
Kristin’s Crusade
The Kristin Mitchell Foundation dissolved in 2018 but has joined forces with the Clery Center to form Kristin’s Crusade, focused on prevention of dating violence, stalking and domestic violence. This initiative will provide a fellowship for a student or professional to learn more through the Clery Center. They also provide a free dating violence prevention film, Then Everything Changed.
Proctor and Gamble (P&G) Fund
The Proctor and Gamble (P&G) Fund offers higher education grants between July 1 and September 30 each year. Regionally accredited two- to four-year institutions are eligible to apply for annual awards of $5,000 to $10,000; an institution may apply for multiple grants in one year up to $50,000. Funding criteria includes:
- Improve curriculum to be at the cutting edge in relevance and effectiveness
- Foster and enable leadership opportunities and learning
- Create a learning environment that encourages and enhances innovation and creativity
- Strengthen diversity in thought, participation and ongoing interaction
While not specifically for crime prevention, there may be a way to incorporate a campus safety educational program in this grant opportunity.
American Psychological Foundation (APF)
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) offers scholarships, fellowships and grant funding for areas such as violence prevention, treating serious mental illness, and understanding links between behavior and health.
The Sparkplug Foundation
The Sparkplug Foundation, while small, will fund projects organized by crime victims.
Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program
The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program supports crime prevention initiatives which identify root causes and address those problems.
The Raliance Grant Program
Funded with seed money through the NFL, the Raliance grant program strives to find sexual assault prevention solutions through three areas: support survivors, prevent perpetration and change culture.
Costco Charitable Contributions
Costco Charitable Contributions grants support education, children, health and human services projects.
Office of Violence Against Women
Lastly, the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) offers several grant opportunities:
- Formula grants: STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program, Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program, State and Territorial Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program, and Grants to Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program
- Consolidated Grant Program to Address Children and Youth Experiencing Domestic and Sexual Assault and Engage Men and Boys as Allies
- Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations
- Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking on Campus Program
- Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program
- Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Assistance Program
- Engaging Men and Youth Program
- Services to Advocate for and Respond to Youth Grant Program
About the Author
Dr. Judy Riffle owns Santa Cruz Grants & Consulting, LLC, and has raised over 18 million dollars for various schools, school districts, and nonprofits. Funded and managed grants include school formula grants such as Title I, Title IV, IDEA Basic, and Title III LEP. Funded competitive grants include: McKinney-Vento Supplemental Education for Homeless Children & Youth, State Tutoring, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, school improvement, CA Community Colleges Basic Skills and Student Outcomes Transformation, New York Learning Technology, Arizona Pilot Program on School Emergency Readiness, USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Program, Baptist Community Ministries, Safeway Foundation, Tucson Electric Power, Cox Charities, Del E. Webb Foundation, and Arizona Disabled Veteran Foundation. Dr. Riffle is a former teacher, education specialist, new teacher mentor, and administrator with degrees in special education, Deaf education, and educational leadership. Besides being a member of the Grant Professionals Association, she also serves as Vice-President for the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce.
Access additional resources about higher education campus safety and crime prevention:
A Push for Safety Plans: Examining Mass Shootings & Domestic Violence
