City calls for bold ideas to curb gun violence at upcoming Pitch Night

City calls for bold ideas to curb gun violence at upcoming Pitch Night

Published on October 08, 2025

SAFE Task Force will fund new and creative ways to make it happen

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Safe Alliances for Everyone (SAFE) Task Force is looking to award funding to those committed to helping to reduce gun violence in our community. It will do that through its next Pitch and Highlight Night Tuesday, Oct. 28. Thoseorganizations and individuals who pitch proposals to reduce gun violence in Grand Rapids may be offered financial support to make those ideas possible. Nonprofits and individuals may submit proposals to the SAFE Task Force through October 23, 5 p.m. at https://bit.ly/PITCHNIGHT-Apply.

If selected, those submitting ideas will then make their pitch at SAFE's next Pitch and Highlight Night Tuesday, Oct. 28. The event takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Rest Church at 510 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

"The upcoming Pitch and Highlight Night is a catalyst," said Staff Liaison Asante Cain. "We know that the most effective solutions to address violence in Grand Rapids often come directly from our neighborhoods. The SAFE Task Force is committed to funding and elevating these homegrown strategies, turning community vision into real-world impact that helps build safer, stronger, and more vibrant neighborhoods."

Nonprofits and individuals will compete for a partnership with the SAFE Task Force and $10,000 to support their efforts to reduce violence in the community. Five winners will be selected to partner with the City and perform their proposals. Participants will get five minutes to present their idea and show how it will be effective in reducing violence in Grand Rapids.

• Proposals must seek to reduce violence and/or gun violence in Grand Rapids
• Focus on young people involved in violence 12-24 years of age
• Programs/interventions must take place between the months of March and September 2026
• Demonstrate how they align with the recommendations of the SAFE Task Force, the Police Department's Strategic Plan, and/or the City's Strategic Plan.

More information can be found at the SAFE Task Force's website: grandrapidsmi.gov/SAFE.

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