Arnold Ventures Announces $1 Million Grant to Help More Pennsylvania Communities Solve Violent Crimes

Philadelphia, PA (August 4, 2026) – Arnold Ventures today announced a $1 million grant to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to increase the number of communities across the state that can benefit from public safety grant programs, including the VICTIM Act, a new, bipartisan initiative that was included in the recent budget agreement and signed into law last month. 

The VICTIM Act includes an initial $2.5 million investment in grants to help local law enforcement solve more violent crimes through detective training and retention, upgraded investigative technology, and support for people affected by unsolved violence. A poll commissioned by Arnold Ventures last year showed that an overwhelming 83% of Pennsylvania voters, from every demographic and geographic group in the state, support the VICTIM Act and 70% are supportive of efforts to shift resources to increase the percentage of crimes solved by police. 

However, many Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies  – particularly in smaller and rural counties – are not yet able to meet the data reporting standards of the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), limiting their ability to qualify for VICTIM Act funding and other state and federal grant opportunities. 

Arnold Ventures’ grant will help agencies across the Commonwealth become NIBRS compliant, removing a key barrier to participation so more communities can benefit from the VICTIM Act and future public safety investments. 

“We wholeheartedly endorse Pennsylvania’s commitment to solve more crimes faster. And we believe that every victim deserves the same chance at justice, regardless of where they live,” said Kevin Ring, Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy at Arnold Ventures. ​“By helping more agencies meet these reporting requirements today, the VICTIM Act will be able to deliver on an important commitment to solve more violent crimes.” 

Ring said that he expected PCCD would release guidance to local law enforcement agencies in the next month or so regarding how to apply for VICTIM Act funding, including the support from Arnold Ventures for NIBRS compliance. 

This grant reflects Arnold Ventures’ broader commitment to helping states solve more crimes, faster. Earlier this year, Arnold Ventures matched Utah’s $250,000 investment in a new Violent Crime Clearance Rate Fund, and now brings that same approach to supporting local agencies in Pennsylvania.