PHOENIX— The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) today launched a new feature on its website that makes it easier for non-profit organizations to apply for funding through its Community Grants program.

“MCAO’s Community Grants Program is designed to assist organizations that are on the ground working to prevent crime in our community by keeping kids out of trouble, preventing drug use and reducing recidivism,” said County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This site simplifies the application process for these already overly-strained community organizations.”

The Community Grants program provides limited funding to non-profit community agencies that provide prevention and education programs aimed at reducing substance abuse or gang activity, and assistance to victims of crime. Funding for the grants is recovered from criminals or criminal activity under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by MCAO’s Asset Recovery Bureau.

Through its Community Grants, MCAO has provided funding for after-school and at-risk youth programs, victim support and anti-human trafficking organizations and inmate re-entry programs. Since January 2014, MCAO has assisted over 55 organizations with nearly $705,000 in total grant funding. Examples of past recipients include Arizona Common Ground, Chicanos Por La Causa, NotMYkid and Big Brothers Big Sisters, to name a few.

Organizations seeking funding from the MCAO can complete the RICO Community Grant Application provided on the website at: MaricopaCountyAttorney.org/Grants. Applications for the next round of grants are due November 1, 2016 for the January 2017 funding cycle.

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