(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the State of Georgia Gang Activity Prosecution (GAP) Grant. The State of Georgia set aside $1,250,000 in funds from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 state budget for a competitive grant to facilitate gang activity prosecutions in the state. 

“International, regional, and home-grown street gangs are deteriorating the safety of our communities,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “The GAP grant will provide critical resources to county and local agencies to combat this threat. Gangs are not an urban problem; they endanger all Georgia communities.”

There will be a Gang Activity Prosecutions Webinar on July 16, 2024, featuring the Georgia Office of the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.  GEMA/HS Preparedness Grants and Programs Department will participate to discuss how to apply for the grant and best practices learned from the FY 2024 GAP Grant. Potential applicants may register their interest in the webinar by sending an email to [email protected], with their full name, position, official email and employer.

The FY 2025 GAP Grant will be open for applications between July 16 and August 29, 2024, with award decisions to be announced on September 19, 2024. Eligible applicants for the GAP grant are State of Georgia law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, or nonprofits primarily focused on gang prosecutions. Examples of eligible entities are State Agencies, Judicial District/Circuits, County Sheriffs, and Police Departments.

The purpose of the FY 2025 Georgia Gang Activity Prosecution Grant program is to support state and local efforts to prosecute gang-related activity. Successful applicants must clearly identify and explain how their project will assist in creating safer communities by prosecuting gang activity. The program is based on risk-driven, capabilities-based, strategic plans that outline high-priority needs relating to gang activity prosecution. For these plans to be effective, government officials and elected leaders, working with the whole community, must consider how to sustain current capability levels, while also addressing potential gaps.

Successful applicants must show a commitment to, and ideally, a track record of, successful prosecutions of gang activity. Favorable consideration will be given to counties with both prosecutors and law enforcement applying in tandem or in support of one another, as they are more likely to result in successful prosecutions. State agencies and nonprofits must articulate how their work will result in prosecutions

Cost-share or match is not currently required for the FY2025 GAP. The period of performance will be from September 19, 2024 to May 15, 2025.

Applications will only be accepted online via the Georgia EM Grants Manager. GEMA/HS is the state Administrative Authority for this program. Applicants needing grant support should contact the GEMA/HS Preparedness Grants and Programs Department at (404) 635-7095, or by email at [email protected].

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.