Announcement Comes Weeks After DOJ Slashes Federal Funding for CVI Groups
AUSTIN, Tex.—The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed the 2025 fiscal year budget that includes $2 million in state funding for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs in Texas. This critical funding was championed by Representative Armando Walle, who played a leading role in successfully guiding the bipartisan investment in CVI funding through both the House and Senate.
“Communities across the country continue to face the daily, devastating toll of gun violence and CVI organizations continue to respond with credible, community-driven solutions that work,” said Michael-Sean Spence, Managing Director of Community Safety Initiatives at Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and creator of the Everytown Community Safety Fund. “These are trusted, tested interventions that save lives. And in a moment when federal support is being rolled back, it’s encouraging to see states—including Texas—step up with real investments in this critical infrastructure.”
“Community violence intervention programs save lives—it’s that simple. They are led by people who know their neighborhoods, who step in before violence starts, and who help build safer futures,” said Cori Ferraro, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Every dollar we invest in CVI is a commitment to preventing the next shooting before it happens. These programs are essential, and we will keep fighting to protect and expand them.”
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) is a proven public safety strategy rooted in prevention, trust, and healing. These programs work by identifying and engaging the small group of individuals most at risk of experiencing or causing harm, using evidence-informed approaches like street outreach and hospital-based intervention. CVI organizations rely on deep community ties and earned trust to intervene effectively, particularly in neighborhoods most affected by systemic disinvestment, discrimination, and high rates of gun violence. Operating on the frontlines in the cities hit hardest, CVI programs apply localized, community-driven strategies that reduce violence and promote long-term safety and healing—and it works. Major cities across the country have seen historical decreases in overall violent crimes and homicides in recent years, in no small part due to CVI programs, with 2023 marking the largest one-year decline in homicides in 50 years. In fact, homicides continue to decline nationwide.
In response to significant federal funding cuts to Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs, even states like Texas are proactively stepping up to support and expand these vital initiatives. Recognizing the essential role of CVI programs in reducing gun violence and fostering community safety, states have increasingly created dedicated funds to ensure the continuation of these effective violence prevention strategies. Now, with the recent federal funding gap, these state-funded resources are more important than ever.
Texas still has a great deal of progress to make to prevent gun violence in the state. While the recent CVI budget allocation is an encouraging step in the right direction, greater investment is needed to truly support community safety and long-term impact. Texas currently lacks foundational gun safety policies and ranks 32nd nationally for the strength of its gun laws, despite experiencing three of the five worst mass shootings since 2015.
This session, Texas lawmakers introduced many dangerous gun bills, including a bill that would expand guns in polling places, a bill that would lower the age to carry a concealed handgun from 21 to 18, and a bill that would return firearms to certain felons. Thanks to the hard work of gun safety advocates in the state, nearly every dangerous bill introduced was unsuccessful. However, the continued resistance to commonsense gun safety legislation from lawmakers leaves Texas communities vulnerable to future gun violence.
In an average year, 4,330 people in Texas die by guns and another 7,726 are injured. Gun violence costs Texas $51.3 billion each year, of which $1.1 billion is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Texas is here.
To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please don’t hesitate to reach out.