Applications for the 'Empower' Grants are Temporarily Paused
To provide sufficient time to finish processing current grants and ongoing projects before year-end, we have temporarily paused new ‘Empower’ grant submissions.
We hope to reopen the ‘Empower’ grant application for new submissions later this year. However, if current grant demands extend through the remainder of 2025, applications will reopen at the start of the 2026 grant season in January 2026.
If you have questions please email Contact@HigherHope.org
Empower Grants are available to registered 501(c)(3) organizations whose missions align with supporting victims of violent crime and their communities. Applicants must demonstrate clear project objectives, sustainable impact plans, and efficient resource allocation. We partner with organizations of various sizes, from local grassroots initiatives to national programs, prioritizing those that show innovative approaches to victim support and community healing.
Review the Requirements The Empower Grant supports registered 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to serving victims of violent crimes and their families. Examples of qualifying initiatives include victim advocacy programs, community support services, educational outreach, healing resources, and direct assistance programs. All grants are open until December 31 of the current year.
*PLEASE NOTE – Higher Hope provides financial assistance for existing or planned programs. Organizations must have detailed implementation plans and clear objectives ready before applying.
IF YOU ARE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SEEKING FUNDING FOR VICTIM SUPPORT INITIATIVES, PLEASE READ OUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.
- Must be a registered 501(c)(3) organization related to helping victims of violent crime.
- Must have established programs or detailed plans for new initiatives
- Must provide comprehensive project budgets and implementation timelines
- Must demonstrate sustainable impact potential
- Must provide proof of current nonprofit status and organizational documentation
APPLY FOR EMPOWER
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
- EIN or UEI number for nonprofit verification
- Detailed project proposals and budget breakdowns are mandatory for all applications
- Applications that fail to provide required documentation may not be eligible for consideration
- Qualifying documentation includes, but is not limited to: detailed project proposals, budget allocations, impact metrics, organization history, and implementation timeline
This month`s blog article explores common misconceptions about sex trafficking.
Representing 15% of our Empower and Hope grants in 2025, this issue is more significant than many realize - though it often differs from the scenario usually portrayed in the media and TV.
When the majority of people think of sex trafficking, they think of the image we were all taught to fear as children...
Read More at the blog link in our bio, or go to HigherHope.org/BLOG
Did you catch our June E-Newsletter? Here`s a quick recap of the stories, cases, and advocacy efforts we highlighted this month:
- What happened to Andrew Wieman? Follow the investigation into his mysterious death on @loveandjusticepodcast, including new forensic technologies funded by our Hope Grant.
- Debunking 6 Common Myths About Sex Trafficking: The reality of trafficking often looks very different from what we see portrayed in movies and on TV.
- Seeking Justice for Megan Trussell — Join @justiceformegantrussell in supporting Megan`s family as they advocate for her death to be reclassified and her case reopened.
- MISSING PERSON: Amber Marie Arnett has been missing from the Lansing, Michigan area since June 25, 2023. A $10,000 reward is available for information leading to her whereabouts. Tips can be submitted to the Lansing Police Department at 517-483-4600.
- Justice for Denisha Montgomery Smith — Learn how you can support efforts to seek answers and accountability in her wrongful death.
Stay informed on case updates, true crime stories, victim advocacy, and ways to get involved by signing up for our newsletter through the "Connect With Us" section at HigherHope.org.
#VictimAdvocacy #TrueCrime #MissingPersons #unsolvedcases #justiceformegantrussell #Iamdenishamontgomerysmith
On January 1, 2001, Andrew Wieman was last seen at his fraternity house before heading to bed. Three days later, on January 4, he was found dead in his bedroom behind a locked door, having suffered 29 stab wounds—many fatal.
After a year-long investigation, Andrew’s death was ruled a suicide despite significant conflicting evidence. Troubled by the confusing inconsistencies in the findings, Andrew’s family sought an independent autopsy. That second examination reached a very different conclusion, determining that Andrew’s injuries were consistent with homicide.
For the past 25 years, Andrew’s family has stayed committed to their search for answers, gathering records, exposing contradictions, and keeping Andrew’s memory alive. This year, those efforts have been amplified through a partnership with Love & Justice, an investigative podcast dedicated to reexamining unresolved cases.
Hosted and directed by Emmy Award–winning producer Kyle Olson, season two of Love & Justice will focus on Andrew’s case, bringing renewed attention to long-unanswered questions. The series will explore new, scientifically supported methods of evidence analysis that were unavailable at the time of Andrew’s death and could provide critical new insights into what happened.
Through our Hope Grant, we are supporting the podcast’s investigation by funding critical forensic testing, including a detailed 3D reconstruction of Andrew’s body and wounds. This analysis will help determine, through scientific examination, whether Andrew’s injuries could have been self-inflicted.
We are hopeful that this reconstruction will provide long-overdue clarity for Andrew’s family and bring them one step closer to the answers they have been seeking for more than two decades.
To hear learn more about Andrew`s case and follow the investigation, go to www.loveandjusticepodcast.com
@crimecon is a great place to get eyes on cases that are desperately seeking justice, here are just a few of the unsolved cases we came across this weekend at CrimeCon Las Vegas.
Huge shoutout to the creators using their platforms to amplify these cases, and to the families spending countless hours advocating for their loved ones.
Shane Barton: missing
Brittany Wallace: missing
Nancy Moyer: missing
Logan Shiendelman: missing
@bring_backlogan
@hideandseekpodcast
Lindsey Jo Baum: unsolved homicide
Andrew Wieman: mysterious death
@loveandjusticepodcast
Ali Lowitzer: missing
Christopher Abeyta: missing
@findchristopherabeyta
Candy Sturgill: missing
Trevor Bazil: missing
Barry and Louise Berman: unsolved homicide
Nancy Guthrie: missing
Naomi Irion: unsolved homicide
dougkariauthor
Megan Trussell: mysterious death
Buffalo Jim Barrier: mysterious death
@haleygrayresearch
@theadvocacyblueprint
@jenniferbarrierlasvegas
@justiceformegantrussell
Come with us through the expo hall at CrimeCon Las Vegas to check out all the resource booths offering services and advocacy! Stop by these booths this weekend to learn more or get involved.
@crimecon @gabbypetitofoundation @we.are.the.essentials @fowler_osullivanfoundation @childrescuecoalition @avoiceforthevoicelessavftv @forensicpathologyservices @theadvocacyblueprint @haleygrayresearch
Over the years, you may have heard @kendallraeonyt mention being an `Active True Crime Consumer` while covering cases on True Crime with Kendall Rae and Mile Higher Podcast, but what does that mean?
It is no secret that true crime has become one of the most popular forms of media to consume, and over the last several years the amount of coverage has multiplied significantly.
This, in theory, means that more stories are being shared and more awareness is being raised. And while there has been a notable shift towards increased ethical true crime coverage, we are still seeing content that not only falls short of ‘ethical’, but content that outright ignores ethics altogether. So, what can we do about it?
Read more at the blog link in our bio!
Higher Hope Foundation, in partnership with Mile Higher Media, is excited to launch our brand-new monthly E-Newsletter on May 1, 2026.
Each edition brings you closer to important cases and communities, featuring thoughtfully written true crime stories from our team, updates on cases covered across Mile Higher Media shows, and meaningful ways you can advocate for justice alongside families who need it most.
This isn’t just a monthly update - it’s a way to stay informed, get involved, and be part of real impact.
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming in May. Sign up now at HigherHope.org/blog (scroll to the bottom of the page to the "connect with us" section).
On June 25, 2023, 39-year-old Amber Arnett was last seen in Lansing, Michigan.
Earlier that afternoon, she was captured on surveillance footage shopping with a friend. At approximately 9:00 p.m., she was dropped off on the south side of the city, where she had been staying. She has not been seen or heard from since.
Amber was last known to be wearing a black top, blue jeans, and black shoes. She is 5`4", approximately 150 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair that may have been dyed red.
Through our “Hope” grant, we were able to support advocacy efforts led by Amber’s mother and fund a billboard in the area where Amber went missing.
Amber’s family believes someone has information about what happened and is urging anyone with knowledge to come forward.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information related to Amber’s disappearance. Tips can be submitted by contacting the Lansing Police Department at 517-483-4600.
Join our community of active supporters who are making a real difference in the lives of those affected by violent crime. Your donation, no matter the size, directly funds crucial assistance for families and empowers organizations dedicated to healing and justice.
What documentation is required for an Empower Grant application?
Organizations must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status, detailed project proposals, budget allocations, and anticipated impact metrics. We also require information about your organization’s history and current programs.
How are Empower Grant recipients selected?
Applications undergo a thorough review process evaluating project impact, organization capacity, sustainability, urgency, and alignment with our mission. We identify truly impactful initiatives that demonstrate clear objectives and efficient resource use.
Is there a geographic restriction for applying organizations?
No, we accept applications from organizations both across the United States and internationally, so long as the initiatives align with our mission of supporting violent crime victims and their communities.
How does reporting work for granted funds?
Recipients may be required to provide updates on project implementation, impact metrics, and fund utilization. This ensures transparency and helps us share success stories with our community of supporters.
