PROSPER Act Proposes $25 Million Annually for Youth Gun Violence Prevention Grants Starting 2026

The "Prioritizing Resources for Outreach, Safety, Violence Prevention, Youth Empowerment and Resilience Act of 2025," or PROSPER Act, aims to establish a new federal grant program under the Attorney General. This program is designed to fund youth gun violence prevention initiatives, allocating $25 million annually from 2026 through 2030. These funds would be drawn from a larger $100 million pool designated for juvenile justice programs under Title V of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. The core purpose is to support programs that are evidence-informed, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and inclusive, focusing on healing, empowerment, and community support for young people.

Fresh Funds for Frontline Support

So, what does this mean in practical terms? The PROSPER Act, as outlined in Section 2, carves out a specific $25 million each year for five years, dedicated to youth gun violence prevention. This isn't entirely new money appearing from nowhere; it's a re-allocation from funds already earmarked for broader juvenile justice programs. Think of it as a focused investment. The organizations receiving these grants must meet stringent criteria: their programs need to be "evidence-informed," meaning they're based on methods with some research backing their effectiveness. They also must be "culturally competent," tailoring approaches to diverse communities, and "trauma-informed," recognizing and addressing the impact of past trauma on young individuals. This ensures that funding goes to initiatives designed for meaningful, sensitive engagement.

Who's Eligible and What's the Goal?

The bill specifies who can apply for these grants. Eligible entities include institutions of higher education (like colleges and universities), Indian Tribal government agencies, non-governmental organizations serving Tribes, various community-based organizations (including nonprofits and those with fiscal sponsors under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code), and local government agencies. One key detail: law enforcement agencies are explicitly not eligible to be the primary recipients, signaling an emphasis on community-led, non-punitive solutions. The program goals are comprehensive: healing from past trauma, promoting youth empowerment and skills development, connecting youth with mental health professionals and mentors, fostering community engagement, providing firearm safety education, and supporting the reintegration of youth exposed to gun violence or the juvenile justice system.

Real-World Ripple Effects

If this bill passes, a local community center, for example, could apply for a grant to launch an after-school program in an area affected by violence, hiring counselors and running workshops on conflict resolution. A university might partner with schools to implement and study effective mentorship strategies. The requirement for programs to be "trauma-informed" means they must understand how traumatic experiences shape a young person's behavior and well-being, tailoring support accordingly. This is about addressing root causes, not just symptoms. By channeling funds through the existing Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the PROSPER Act leverages an established framework, potentially streamlining the rollout and integration of these new prevention efforts into communities nationwide.