Tips for Building a Stronger School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Grant Application

The COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is one of the largest federal funding opportunities available to help schools improve safety and security. As competition for funding continues to increase, preparing a strong application has become more important than ever.

During a recent ZeroNow webinar, NCSSD members Kevin Wren (HID), Guy Bliesner (Idaho State Board of Education), and Elisa Mula (EMD) shared lessons learned from helping school districts secure millions of dollars in grant funding.

As districts prepare for future funding opportunities, the panel encouraged school safety leaders to start early, involve the right partners, and use the application process as an opportunity to build a stronger, more sustainable security program.

Start with a Security Assessment

For Guy Bliesner, every successful application starts with understanding the district's actual security needs.

"Assess before you treat. Understand what it is you need."

Bliesner said some applications resemble wish lists, attempting to solve too many problems instead of focusing on documented vulnerabilities. Successful applications, he said, demonstrate a clear understanding of a district's highest-priority vulnerabilities and explain why those projects matter.

Kevin Wren agreed, noting that the grant requires a security assessment and encouraging districts to use established resources such as the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) Guidelines or other recognized best practices.

"It can't just be a school resource officer walking through the school saying, 'I need 50 more cameras,'" Wren said.

Both panelists emphasized that assessments should identify priorities and provide the foundation for the projects included in the application.

Build the Application as a Team

The panel repeatedly stressed that successful applications are rarely developed by one person.

"You can't write this grant in a silo," Wren said.

Instead, he encouraged districts to involve a broad cross-section of stakeholders—including school safety teams, administrators, facilities personnel, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and, when appropriate, parents and students—to ensure the application reflects the district's overall safety priorities.

Because the SVPP requires applicants to partner with a local law enforcement agency, panelists also encouraged districts to involve law enforcement early rather than waiting until the application is nearly complete.

Elisa Mula echoed that advice, recommending districts begin months before the application deadline.

"There are so many people in your ecosystem who are willing to help," she said, noting that manufacturers, integrators, and other partners can often provide technical information and proposals that strengthen the application narrative.

Prioritize Your Greatest Security Needs

One of the strongest themes throughout the webinar was the importance of prioritization.

Wren said conversations about school security often jump to cameras or weapons detection before more fundamental security measures have been addressed.

"If you're screening every student for weapons but you don't control access to your building, your weapons detection program has already been defeated," he said.

Wren recalled visiting a private school that wanted to purchase weapons detection technology, only to discover the campus lacked access control at the main entrance and classroom doors that could be locked from the inside.

"We're not talking about weapons detection until you have locks inside these classrooms and access control on the front entrance," he said.

Instead, he encouraged districts to tell the story of the security measures already in place while clearly identifying the highest-priority gaps the grant would address. Rather than asking for technology simply because it's eligible, Wren said successful applications connect requested projects to documented needs identified through the assessment process.

Bliesner shared a similar perspective, warning against applications that try to fund too many unrelated projects.

"When you ask for a little bit of everything, nothing seems like the highest priority," he said.

Mula added that schools should think about security as concentric rings, beginning at the perimeter and working inward.

She also encouraged schools to evaluate how well their existing security systems work together before investing in new technologies. Schools often have multiple systems that cannot communicate with one another, which can create unnecessary complexity during an emergency response. Before adding another layer of technology, districts should ensure existing systems are functioning properly and staff understand how to use them.

Think Beyond the SVPP Grant Award

Although much of the discussion focused on preparing a competitive application, panelists also encouraged districts to think about the broader value of the application process itself.

Wren noted that bringing stakeholders together often helps districts better understand the true scope of their security needs.

"So, what you're telling me is we have a $10 million need and you're trying to get a $500,000 grant? Nope. We got a $10 million security need."

Wren said those conversations often help school boards and other stakeholders better understand the true scope of a district's security needs, making future planning and funding discussions more productive.

Even if a district doesn't receive funding, he said, the process can help build support for future investments, including bond initiatives and long-term planning.

Bliesner also encouraged districts to integrate security planning into broader capital improvement planning rather than treating grants as a standalone funding strategy.

Mula added that conducting assessments, forming security committees, and working with law enforcement can provide benefits beyond the grant itself.

"Sometimes these measures demonstrate that the district took reasonable steps to improve safety—even if it didn't ultimately receive the award."

Rather than viewing an unsuccessful application as wasted effort, the panel suggested districts can use the process to strengthen planning, build partnerships, and create a roadmap for future improvements.

Start Earlier Than You Think

Panelists also cautioned districts against underestimating the amount of work involved.

"There are two due dates," Mula reminded attendees, referring to the Grants.gov submission deadline and the subsequent application deadline through the COPS Office.

She also encouraged districts to begin identifying vendors, requesting quotes, and gathering supporting documentation early, since those conversations often take longer than expected.

Mula said one of the most common challenges she sees is districts waiting until the last minute to begin the application process.

"We've seen too many schools think one person can put together this application in just a few days," she said. "The stronger your committee is, the more accurate your application will be."

"If you don't have a team, start very, very early," she added.

Common Mistakes SVPP Applicants Make

When asked about the biggest mistakes districts make, panelists pointed to two recurring themes: trying to tackle too many projects at once and focusing on technology before addressing foundational security needs.

For Wren, one of the biggest mistakes is treating the application like a shopping list and focusing exclusively on cameras or other technologies instead of documenting a district's highest-priority security needs.

Bliesner shared a similar perspective, encouraging districts to focus on foundational improvements before pursuing more advanced technologies or trying to solve every security challenge in a single application.

"Remember," he said, "don't buy the roof to your security house when you don't have the foundation."

Ultimately, panelists agreed that successful applications do more than request funding. They tell a clear story about a district's security priorities, demonstrate thoughtful planning, and show how proposed projects fit into a broader, layered approach to school safety.

Want the full discussion? School Security Leadership subscribers can access the complete webinar transcript below, while the webinar recording is available through ZeroNow.