Nearly $300M in Federal Public Safety Funding for Qualifying Cities | DOJ Model Cities Initiative
- Ty Boone
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
The Department of Justice is directing nearly $300 million in federal funding toward a targeted initiative designed to transform public safety in a small number of American cities. Only two to four cities will be selected, which makes this a highly competitive and high-stakes opportunity.
For local government entities and the nonprofit and community-based organizations that partner with them, this announcement signals a significant shift in how DOJ is structuring large-scale public safety investment. Organizations that already have formal partnerships with city government, documented public safety program outcomes, and the infrastructure to operate within a federally funded comprehensive strategy should pay close attention.
If your city is considering applying, your organization needs to be part of that conversation early.
Grant Breakdown
Model Cities Initiative (MCI)
The Department of Justice is directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to support comprehensive public safety strategies in a select number of American cities. Selected cities will implement innovative approaches to reducing crime, restoring law and order, and enhancing public safety across their jurisdictions.
Eligible Applicants: Local government entities serving populations of at least 100,000
Number of Awards: 2 to 4 cities selected
Funding Amount: Nearly $300M total directed across selected cities
Proposal Deadline: September 1, 2026
This is a proposal-based selection process. Only local government entities are eligible to apply as the primary applicant. Nonprofit and community-based organization involvement will occur through partnership and subaward structures within selected city plans.
If your city is in early conversations about this initiative, the time to build or strengthen your organization's relationship with local government is now, not after the proposal is submitted. Organizations that are already embedded in city-level public safety strategy with documented outcomes and compliance track records are the ones that will be included in winning proposals. If your infrastructure is not there yet, that work starts today.