For Funders & Partners

DEFENDER Funding Guide

Federal, state, and local funding streams that can support CINA's DEFENDER anti-bullying curriculum and school-based programs.

How to Use This Guide

This guide is designed for school administrators, district officials, and grant officers who want to fund CINA's DEFENDER curriculum and school-based programs. Each funding stream listed below has been identified as a strong match for CINA's programming model.

Contact CINA to receive a customized funding narrative, budget template, or letters of support for your grant application.

Eligible Funding Streams

Seven identified funding sources across federal, state, and county levels.

Title IV-A

Federal

Student Support and Academic Enrichment

U.S. Department of Education

Supports well-rounded educational opportunities, safe and healthy students, and effective use of technology. DEFENDER's SEL and anti-bullying components align directly with safe and healthy students priorities.

Anti-bullying programsSocial-emotional learningPhysical activity programsMental health support

21st CCLC

Federal

21st Century Community Learning Centers

U.S. Department of Education

Funds afterschool and summer learning programs that provide academic enrichment. CINA's 43-site afterschool model is a direct fit for 21st CCLC funding.

Afterschool programmingAcademic enrichmentYouth developmentFamily engagement

SAMHSA Project AWARE

Federal

Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Supports mental health awareness and early intervention in schools. DEFENDER's SEL framework and trauma-informed approach align with AWARE priorities.

Mental health awarenessEarly interventionSchool-based SELYouth resilience

AmeriCorps

Federal

AmeriCorps State & National

AmeriCorps

Supports organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in community service. CINA could leverage AmeriCorps to expand instructor capacity across additional school sites.

Community serviceYouth developmentCapacity expansionInstructor support

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Federal

Mental Health and School Safety Provisions

U.S. Congress

Includes provisions for school mental health services and anti-violence programs. DEFENDER's anti-bullying focus and school-based delivery model are well-positioned for this funding.

School safetyMental health servicesAnti-violence programsSEL curriculum

NJ DOE Grants

State

New Jersey Department of Education

State of New Jersey

Various NJ DOE grant programs support afterschool enrichment, anti-bullying compliance, and youth development. CINA's NPS partnerships position it well for state-level funding.

Afterschool enrichmentAnti-bullying complianceYouth developmentArts education

Essex County Arts & Culture

County

Essex County Arts and Culture Grants

Essex County, NJ

Supports arts and cultural programming in Essex County. CINA's performing arts, filmmaking, and cultural integration programs are eligible for county arts funding.

Performing artsCultural programmingYouth arts educationCommunity arts

Need Grant Writing Support?

CINA can provide customized funding narratives, budget templates, letters of support, and program data to support your grant applications. Contact us to get started.