We are excited to announce that I Choose to Win has been selected as one of 31 community-based 501(c)(3) organizations awarded a Violence Prevention Microgrant by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO) and the Philadelphia Foundation. This grant, totaling $20,000, will support our programming in 2025, which will focus on cultivating hope and resilience within the communities we serve.
This microgrant distribution marks the largest since the DAO’s Violence Prevention Grant Program launched in May 2021, underscoring the significant role that local, community-driven organizations like I Choose to Win play in fostering safer neighborhoods and empowering individuals impacted by violence.
Fostering Hope and Healing
The $20,000 award will directly support I Choose to Win’s 2025 programming, aimed at promoting hope, healing, and personal growth in communities affected by violence. Our work has always centered on empowering BIPOC girls and women facing life transitions—whether from trauma, loss, or adversity—and providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. This grant will help us further that mission by offering safe spaces, personal development workshops, and mentorship that focus on rebuilding trust, confidence, and optimism.
“While we continue to see a truly historic decline in gun violence nationally and in Philadelphia, we can’t let our foot off the gas,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. “That’s why my administration is thrilled to continue helping community-based groups like *I Choose to Win* that have contributed largely to this drop in violence. Through ongoing violence prevention and modern law enforcement efforts, we will curb violent crime even more.”
At I Choose to Win, we believe in the power of hope to transform lives and communities. This microgrant will enable us to build on our existing programs, focusing on personal empowerment, healing, and leadership development, all of which contribute to a more positive and safe environment for those we serve.
A Stronger, Safer Community
The violence prevention grant is designed to support initiatives that prevent violence, reduce trauma, and provide critical resources to underserved communities. By supporting grassroots organizations like I Choose to Win, the DAO continues to ensure that effective violence prevention efforts are grounded in community experience and expertise.
As a recipient of this grant, I Choose to Win will create pathways for BIPOC women and girls to heal from past trauma, rebuild their confidence, and develop leadership skills that empower them to act as change agents within their families and neighborhoods.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity to further our mission with the support of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia Foundation,” said Melonie Butler, founder and executive director of I Choose to Win. “This grant will enable us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, helping more women cultivate hope and resilience, ultimately leading to safer, stronger communities.”
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Violence Prevention
The next round of microgrant funding will focus on organizations that provide support to elder victims of violence in Philadelphia, furthering the DAO’s commitment to addressing violence in all its forms across various demographics. Toward the end of November 2024, the DAO will announce the opening of the application process for this next round of funding.
As I Choose to Win moves forward with our 2025 programming, we will continue our work to create spaces where women can heal, grow, and lead. We are proud to partner with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia Foundation to foster positive change in the city and beyond.
For the official press release, please visit the DAO’s website here.
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About the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO)
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.