Sen. Hoeven’s support advances another federal grant, private funding gap pursuit continues
As we continue to navigate a complex funding environment, we wanted to take a few moments to share some recent movement on the federal grant front as well as express gratitude for the community momentum that is building on our Meet the Moment Campaign on behalf of significant client needs. As demands for immediate support increase, our community’s generosity has never been more needed or appreciated.
- While there are always ebbs and flows, on average, our team fields a handful of calls or walk-in requests for service each day.
- Earlier this summer, our team answered 73 calls and walk-in requests for services over a five-day period.
- The surge has continued, with 22 calls and walk-ins in one day alone earlier this month.
- While our 36-bed shelter has remained completely full throughout the entire month of July, and now into August, we do not turn anyone away.
- So far this year, our average length of stay has increased from 2.1 months in 2024 and 2025, to 2.5 months since January of 2026.
In May, Sen. John Hoeven held a press conference at CVIC to share about his efforts to push through our stalled federal funding applications from fall of 2025. At that time, his team had gained traction with 2 of our 4 delayed federal grants.
Knowing our continued need, Sen. Hoeven recently requested a second visit to host a joint press conference with CVIC and Grand Forks Housing Authority (GFHA) on Aug. 17th. The joint conference included:
- Progress of the two remaining stalled federal grants applications: the End Violence Against Individuals with Disabilities Grant, and the Justice Assistance Grant, both of which were recently awarded.
- Both stalled grants were applied for in fall of 2025 and are part of the nearly $1.8 million Sen. Hoeven has been tirelessly pushing through the Department of Justice.
- All four delayed federal grants have now been awarded; three multi-year grants (totaling $1.78 million) and one, one-year grant of $19,336.
- The joint conference also included an update on an extensive loan Hoeven helped reclaim for GFHA. His visit included a tour of La Grave on First as well as live media interviews with Sen. Hoeven as well as representatives from both CVIC and GFHA.
Federal funding
The purpose of the recently awarded disabilities grant is to create sustainable change within and between organizations that result in accessible, safe, and effective services for individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who are victims— a group which experiences interpersonal violence at 4-10x higher rates than the rest of the population. During this 3-year grant, we are partnering with the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD), and are currently awaiting for the budget review and approval.
This project will increase accessibility of services for victims with disabilities who experience domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Currently, 20% of the victims served by CVIC self-identify as having a disability. In the city of Grand Forks, 10% of the general population has a disability, with even higher rates in some rural areas.
The grant will benefit victims of crimes with:
- physical disabilities,
- intellectual and developmental disabilities,
- substance use disorders,
- and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
CVIC will:
- Implement physical accessibility modifications at both our shelter and main office to increase access for survivors with disabilities,
- Increase outreach to survivors with disabilities in order to increase awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault and increase awareness of available services,
- Integrate shared best practices for serving individuals with disabilities and increasing their access.
Some specific examples of initiatives planned under this grant include:
- Hosting a series of cross-training events between NDAD and CVIC,
- Hosting outreach office hours at NDAD,
- Developing accessible outreach and awareness materials/campaigns collaboratively with NDAD.
In addition to the four stalled grants Sen. Hoeven helped push through, we are thankful that 2027 funding opportunities through the Office on Violence Against Women began to be released early this summer, and we applied for Legal Assistance for Victims and Transitional Housing. These grants would help strengthen survivors’ access to critical civil legal services and safe, stable housing support as they work to rebuild safety and independence.
State Funding & Expense Management
This spring, CVIC was also awarded an unexpected one-time $250,000 increase from the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services to help offset the impact of federal delays. We attribute this award to our discipline and diligence in grant management and our relationship building with local and state legislatures. We have limited expense growth to 1%, reflecting careful stewardship, disciplined spending and our shared responsibility to protect the resources entrusted to us.
Private Funding
Thanks to our generous community and faithful friends, whom we’ve recognized here, our Meet the Moment Campaign has raised nearly $300,000 of our $500,000 goal to date during its initial push. Moving forward, we plan to leverage this momentum to continue working toward filling our private funding gap—left by a private grant that sunset this year— and reaching our $500,000 goal by year end. If you have friends or colleagues who may be interested in helping us Meet the Moment, please give our development team a call.
New Self-Sustaining Therapy Revenue Exceeding Expectations
As client needs continue to grow, including record-breaking assistance for housing and related expenses as well as co-pays and deductibles for therapy services, our community’s steady support helps CVIC respond with dignity, compassion and hope. After more than a year of billing client insurance policies when safe to do so, our therapy revenue has exceeded $200,000.
Looking ahead, we will continue to steward resources carefully, as well as pursue commensurate-value contracts, meaningful partnerships, and additional private donations and grants.
In the meantime, we encourage our supporters to reflect on the powerful difference they’re making every day for the CVIC team and those we serve.