OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Expanding Legal Services Initiative - Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program | O OVW 2025 172270

FAQs: OVW Fiscal Year 2025 Expanding Legal Services Initiative (ELSI)

What is the OVW Expanding Legal Services Initiative (ELSI)?

ELSI is a discretionary grant opportunity under the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524). It is designed to increase access to legal representation for people who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking by helping established victim service organizations build in-house legal capacity.

What is the main goal of this grant?

The goal is to expand survivors' access to legal representation by supporting victim service organizations that currently provide direct services but do not yet have an internal legal department. The funding is intended to help these organizations develop sustainable in-house legal services rather than rely primarily on external referrals.

Who is this initiative intended to serve?

The initiative focuses on people who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, with an emphasis on improving their access to legal representation through trusted victim service providers.

What types of organizations is ELSI designed for?

ELSI is specifically aimed at established victim service organizations that have a track record of delivering direct victim services but do not currently provide legal representation through an internal legal department.

Is ELSI intended for organizations that already have a legal program?

No. ELSI is not aimed at funding organizations that already operate a legal program. It is designed for organizations that need support to build an in-house legal department and legal representation capacity.

What does the grant fund during the initial award period?

The initial award is designed to support a planning phase. During this phase, the recipient receives ongoing training and technical assistance and uses that support to stand up a legal department by developing staffing, policies, procedures, partnerships, and a service model aligned with victim safety and trauma-informed practices.

What does "planning phase" mean in practice?

The planning phase is meant to help an organization move from referring clients out for legal help to providing legal representation directly. This includes building internal capacity such as staffing structures, internal workflows, policies and procedures, partnerships, and a high-quality legal services model.

Does the opportunity include support beyond the planning phase?

Yes. After the legal department is established during the planning phase, continuation funding is intended to support the direct legal services that the new department will provide to victims.

What is meant by "building something sustainable" under ELSI?

The initiative is structured to help organizations create lasting in-house legal capacity. The emphasis is on developing the internal systems and service model needed to deliver ongoing legal representation rather than short-term or one-off services.

What kind of support is provided to grantees during the planning phase?

The opportunity states that recipients will receive ongoing training and technical assistance during the planning phase to help them establish a legal department and implement a service model aligned with victim safety and trauma-informed practices.

What are the eligible applicant types?

Eligible applicants include private nonprofit entities (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, and territorial organizations.

Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

No. Private nonprofit entities may apply only if they are not institutions of higher education.

Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?

Yes. The opportunity indicates that private nonprofit entities can include both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

Are Tribal governments and Tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.

Are territorial organizations eligible?

Yes. Territorial organizations are listed among the eligible applicant types.

Which federal agency administers this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

What program is ELSI offered under?

ELSI is offered under the OVW Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524).

What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?

The opportunity number is O-OVW-2025-172270.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $750,000.

How many awards does OVW anticipate making?

The opportunity indicates an anticipated 16 awards.

When was the solicitation created?

The solicitation was created on December 6, 2024.

What is the application deadline?

The original application deadline (closing date) is January 28, 2025.

How is this opportunity categorized?

The opportunity is categorized under law, justice, and legal services.

What is the overall emphasis of ELSI?

The emphasis is on capacity-building that results in more survivors being able to access legal representation through trusted victim service providers that are expanding into in-house legal advocacy and representation.