BOSTON, November 14, 2016— As the deadline for his grant program nears, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today encouraged non-profits serving Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop youth to apply for funding through his Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Grant program.

The deadline for AFCRG applications is 4:00 p.m. on Friday.  The program uses funds and assets seized from drug traffickers in order to provide cash awards to non-profits that keep Suffolk County kids away from drugs, gangs, and dangerous behavior.  Under Conley’s leadership, it has provided funding to dozens of youth groups, community centers, and social service agencies at no cost to taxpayers.

“Through the grant program, we’ve been able to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars back into communities across Suffolk County,” Conley said.  “It’s my hope that we can achieve even greater impact on the lives of our youth with this year’s grants.”

A panel of community representatives will review the grant applications submitted to Conley’s office and assist in selecting award recipients. Non-profit organizations that wish to apply for one of this year’s awards can download the application packet here.  Inquiries may be directed to Deputy Chief of Staff Catherine Rodriguez at Catherine.Rodriguez@state.ma.us.  Completed applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 18.

Massachusetts law allows up to 10 percent of money from the auctions of drug dealers’ property and confiscated funds to be returned to the community.  State auditors in 2013 reviewed the grant program and gave it high marks for turning “the profits of crime into something positive for the community” while carefully documenting all forfeiture-related income and expenditures.

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