Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grants And Safe Passage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nonprofits praise and press DMPSJ on Safe & Secure DC, Safe Passage and commercial‑corridor grants
Summary
Nonprofit leaders told the committee that Safe & Secure DC and other DMPSJ grant programs are valuable but need schedule‑aware deadlines, easier grant platforms and faster disbursements; witnesses urged clearer allowable expense lists, caps to broaden access and more attention to Safe Passage coordination with schools.
A panel of nonprofit witnesses praised the Deputy Mayor’s Office for implementing grant programs such as Safe & Secure DC and the Safe Commercial Corridors grants but urged procedural fixes to improve accessibility and timeliness. Rachel Feinstein of the Jewish Community Relations Council said the program has allocated about $1.25 million to nonprofits at risk of hate crimes but asked that application deadlines take into account major religious holidays and that the grant platform be easier to use.
Several witnesses representing domestic violence and survivor‑service organizations highlighted the increased prosecution of domestic violence cases but urged a coordinated, well‑resourced approach so that increased case filing does not leave survivors unsupported. Natalia Otero of DC Safe said the organization serves roughly 2,000 high‑risk survivors annually and recommended stronger information sharing, offender accountability and resourcing across agencies.
Speakers from business improvement districts and community groups recommended clearer guidance on camera placement for Safe Commercial Corridors and faster reimbursement cycles for nonprofits, noting one nonprofit reported incurring $65,000 in credit‑card debt while awaiting reimbursement.
"Safe and Secure DC has been a transformational program," Rachel Feinstein said, while adding that improvements to user experience and disbursement timelines would increase equity and access for smaller organizations.
