Hope Grants are available to victims of violent crime, their designated advocates, or family members and must be able to demonstrate both their relationship to the victim and their financial need. Applicants must provide specific documentation, which can include death certificates, police reports, and proof of financial hardship. Our review process ensures fair evaluation while maintaining dignity and respect for each family’s unique situation. We accept applications worldwide, though documentation requirements must be met regardless of location.
The Hope Grant assists families of victims of violent crimes or missing persons with financial burdens. Examples of financial burdens can include (but are not limited to) private investigators, funeral expenses, search efforts, forensic testing, and more. All grants are open until December 31 of the current year.
*PLEASE NOTE – Higher Hope is not directly providing or connecting applicants to any resources. You must already have these resources ready/selected and if selected we will provide the financial assistance to help fund the needed resources.
IF YOU NEED EXPEDITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUCH CRIMES & TRAUMATIC EVENTS, PLEASE READ OUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.
- Must be a victim or family member/ advocate of a victim affected by violent crime or a missing person case
- Must be directly involved in the qualifying factors of financial hardship
- Must be able to provide examples of hardship (I.e. invoices, bills, expense quotes, etc.) and have already pre-determined where the funds need to go
- Must be 18+ to apply
- Must provide proof of qualifying crime and financial hardships
Documents providing proof of qualifying crime as well as financial hardship are mandatory for all applications.
Applications that fail to provide this proof may not be eligible for consideration. Proof of financial hardship includes, but is not limited to: paid invoices for reimbursement, invoices for unpaid services, expense quotes from vendors or selected professionals, and expense spreadsheets outlining specific expected costs. Proof of qualifying crime includes, but is not limited to: police reports, death certificates, news articles (IF accompanied by other qualifying documentation)
Healing doesn`t happen overnight, but ChildSafe Colorado is where healing can start!
ChildSafe provides trauma-informed, financially accessible therapy for children and families affected by child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and domestic violence across Northern Colorado. As the region`s only comprehensive outpatient treatment center offering long-term care without limits on the number of sessions, they ensure survivors receive the consistent support needed to heal.
Their licensed clinicians use evidence-based therapies—including EMDR, art therapy, play therapy, neurofeedback, sand tray therapy, and more—to create personalized treatment plans that meet each survivor where they are.
We`re honored to support their mission through our Empower Grant, helping sustain life-changing trauma treatment, family support, and long-term healing for survivors who might otherwise lose access to these critical services due to funding gaps.
Every survivor deserves the opportunity to heal.💙
To learn more and support their mission, visit ChildSafeColorado.org
☀️ NEW SUMMER MERCH IS HERE ☀️
Featuring bright, limited-edition designs for all of your favorite shows! But hurry, this collection is only available through the end of Summer, so grab your favorite pieces before they`re gone🍒
Shop now at MileHigherMerch.com or the link in our bio!
This is exactly the kind of change we hoped for when creating our Empower grant💙
We believe organizations serving vulnerable communities deserve the resources they need to create lasting impact. By supporting nonprofits like CARE House of Oakland County, we`re helping ensure survivors have access to the advocacy, services, and safe spaces they need to heal.
Thank you for the incredible work you do every day!
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
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 do I need to apply?
Required documentation includes death certificates, police reports, proof of financial hardship, and evidence of your relationship to the victim. Additional documentation may be required based on your specific situation and funding request.
Please do NOT submit: Screenshots of text messages, news articles without correlating qualified documentation, graphic images: including autopsy and crime scene photos, or blank documents
How long does the application process take?
Applications go through a thorough, multi-step review process. We strive to process applications as quickly as possible while ensuring thorough review.
What expenses can the Hope Grant cover?
The grant can cover various expenses directly related to the aftermath of a qualifying crime, including but not limited to funeral costs, private investigator fees, and other documented financial burdens resulting from the crime. We unfortunately cannot cover expenses relating to housing costs, expenses related to custody matters, lost wages/ income support, or childcare.
Do I need to live in Colorado to apply?
No, we accept applications from across the United States and internationally. We support families regardless of location, provided they meet our documentation requirements and eligibility criteria.
How will I know if my application is approved?
Our team will communicate with you throughout the review process even if your application is declined. If approved, we’ll provide clear information about fund distribution and any additional steps needed to receive assistance.