Federal Grant Terminations Jeopardize Nonviolent Peaceforce’s Community Safety Programs in Minneapolis and San Diego
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minneapolis, MN, 23 April 2025 — In a move that threatens critical community safety efforts, the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance has announced the mid-grant termination of two federally funded programs run by Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), an international organization rooted in unarmed civilian protection. The cuts slash over 40% of federal support for NP’s violence prevention and community-based safety work in the United States — directly impacting the communities most vulnerable to violence and systemic harm.
The decision, citing a shift in agency priorities toward direct law enforcement support, has raised serious concerns about the future of holistic, community-led safety initiatives.
“This isn’t just a loss of funding—it’s a loss for the communities who’ve trusted us, for the young people who are counting on us to show up, and for the safety they’ve started to feel and build together,” said Kalaya’an Mendoza, Head of Programs for NP U.S. “These programs are more than line items — they are lifelines. Ending them is a disinvestment in the safety, dignity, and resilience of communities who need it most.”
In North Minneapolis, NP’s “Interrupt Cycles of Violence” project has trained school staff, supported youth healing circles, and responded directly to community conflict — work that is now in jeopardy.
Odell Wilson, one of NP’s Community Peacebuilders, mentors youth often pulled between street violence and the hope of a different future. “These kids hear negativity often about how they can become a product of their environment,” he said. “I get them for maybe two hours a day to counteract all those messages. What happens when I can’t do that anymore? The chance of them being influenced by the streets is higher if they don’t have someone to look to, or if they think there’s no other way.”
Recently, one of Wilson’s mentees ran up to hug him after a long absence. “That hug meant everything—it meant, ‘You didn’t give up on me.’” Wilson fears that if NP is forced to pull out, these young people will experience another broken promise from the adults in their lives. This disappointment is at the core of the very cycle of violence NP works to disrupt—when safety programs are defunded, it deepens the harm and reinforces the conditions for future violence.
In San Diego, NP’s safety training and early warning response programs have significantly strengthened the capacities of LGBTQIA+, AAPI, Black, and immigrant communities to protect themselves and each other from identity-based violence. Through workshops on understanding cycles of violence, coalition building, and training local leaders on early warning and early response systems, NP has provided critical tools that equip communities to lead local responses and protect one another with confidence. For example, NP’s threat assessments have been instrumental for organizations that are frequently targeted, helping them better prepare for potential risks.
Ethan Quezada, Program Manager shared, “Communities finally have the tools in their hands to build safety that actually works for them, and now we are being told that their safety and these tools do not align with federal priorities.”
“This is a broad disinvestment in groups that are working proactively to address conflict in our communities,” shared Megan Rodgers, U.S. Policy and Advocacy Manager. “These cuts don’t just impact the organizations affected — they ripple out into neighborhoods already grappling with systemic violence. This is about more than funding. It’s about whether we choose to invest in peace or continue cycles of harm.”
Despite these challenges, NP remains committed to its U.S. programs. “We know the work of nonviolence can feel daunting,” said Mendoza. “But we also know this: community is the answer. We keep us safe. And we will continue doing this work—with or without federal support.”
Nonviolent Peaceforce in the United States
Nonviolent Peaceforce is an international non-governmental organization. Our mission is to protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies, build peace side-by-side with local communities, and advocate for the wider adoption of these approaches to safeguard human lives and dignity.
Our work in the United States is grounded in the needs, strengths, and experiences of local communities. At the invitation of local communities, NP builds relationships with community members, leaders, and organizations to identify risks to safety and ways to work together to keep communities safe. We go beyond the statistics of violent incidents to ensure holistic safety, including how people feel in and experience their community.
- Providing direct protection
- Strengthening community protection capacities
- Healing from systemic violence and building long-term peace
Affected Projects Details
Funding Program: 16.047 – Community-Based Approaches to Advancing Justice
Awarding Agency: Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, DOJ (see here for now-archived webpage)
Excerpt from Notice of Termination received/effective April 22: This award is being terminated because it “no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.” 2 C.F.R. § 200.340(a)(4). The Department has changed its priorities with respect to discretionary grant funding to focus on, among other things, more directly supporting certain law enforcement operations, combatting violent crime, protecting American children, and supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault, and better coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels of government. This award demonstrates that it no longer effectuates Department priorities.
A) Interrupt Cycles of Violence in North Minneapolis
Project Location: Minneapolis, MN
Focus: Community peacebuilding, violence prevention, nonviolent response to conflict
Original Award Amount: $1,500,000
Project Period: 10/01/2022 – 09/30/2025
Terminated Portion: All unobligated balances
Amount Terminated: $160,325
Impact in Minneapolis
Peace by Peace: Direct Intervention & Community Transformation in North Minneapolis
In North Minneapolis, NP’s presence is saving lives and reshaping norms. One morning, our team helped James step back from the brink of violent revenge. That same day, their trusted presence led police to release a man into NP’s care instead of jail. Days later, during a community block party, NP de-escalated a potentially deadly gun incident—just feet from children and families. Each moment reflects the deep trust and real-time protection NP builds through steady, unarmed engagement.From Challenges to Change: Building Safer Communities Together
In North Minneapolis, community safety is becoming visible in everyday decisions. At The Lowry Café, owner Alex recently shared plans to extend his hours into the evening — something he hadn’t felt safe doing before. “Oh, yeah, it’s safe around here now,” he said. For NP’s Senior Advisor of Community Peacebuilding Will Wallace, it’s a sign that sustained, nonviolent efforts are reshaping how people live, work, and feel in their neighborhoods.Assessing Safety and Protection Through a Women's Focus Group in North Minneapolis
From tackling substance abuse and violence to advocating for better public safety and trauma-informed spaces, participants in an NP-led workshop shared personal experiences and visions for a safer, stronger community. Their insights emphasized the critical role of women as the backbone of the community, and their commitment to rebuilding trust, fostering resilience, and healing together. NP continues to walk alongside these women in creating a community-driven path forward for lasting safety and peace.
B) Preventing and Addressing Hate Crimes Against AAPI and LGBTQ Communities
Project Location: San Diego County, CA
Focus: Strengthen the safety ecosystem and build intersectional capacity and solidarity with the local AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities to keep themselves safe from hate crimes and hate incidents.
Original Award Amount: $400,000
Project Period: 10/01/2023 – 09/30/2026
Terminated Portion: All unobligated balances
Amount Terminated: $176,128
Impact in San Diego
Peacebuilding in Southeast San Diego: Global Nonviolence Strategies Put the Power of Peace Back into the Hands of the Community
In Southeast San Diego, community groups are creating safer, more resilient neighborhoods through peacebuilding. Partnering with Nonviolent Peaceforce, groups are strengthening community safety strategies by integrating NP’s Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) methods. With training in de-escalation and conflict resolution, peacebuilders are enhancing dialogue, empathy, and cooperation across diverse communities. This collaboration equips local leaders with the tools to prevent violence, protect vulnerable groups, and create healing spaces that ultimately interrupt cycles of violence.
Contact
Media: Anna Zaros, Director of Advancement, [email protected]
Advocacy: Megan Rodgers, U.S. Policy and Advocacy Manager, [email protected]
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