- Mixed-methods evaluation in urban or violence-impacted settings
- Community-engaged and trauma-informed research practices
- Synthesizing findings for both academic and practitioner audiences
- Causal inference, experimental/quasi-experimental methods, and longitudinal analysis
Help inform the Future of Community Violence
Intervention
in Chicago
SC2 invites proposals from qualified research teams to evaluate and inform a multi-year initiative to scale CVI across Chicago neighborhoods most impacted by violence.
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A Bold Strategy for a Safer Chicago
Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2) is a public-private initiative led by community-based organizations, philanthropic and corporate partners, practitioners, and public agencies designed to substantially reduce community violence.
Our Background
In response to a troubling rise in gun violence following the tragic 2016 killing of Laquan McDonald, there was an urgent need to invest in community-based initiatives to reach those at the highest risk of violence. These efforts built the foundation of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) in Chicago.
Independent studies have shown that participants in key programs experience significantly lower risks. Despite the progress made, by 2022, only a fraction of the estimated 20,000 highest-risk individuals were being served. To address this, Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2) was launched in early 2024.
Through trusted community coalitions, SC2’s approach includes the delivery of five integrated and evidence-informed services in neighborhoods most impacted by violence.
01
Street outreach
02
Trauma management & mental health
03
Case management & life coaching
04
Education
05
Employment
CVI in Chicago has Proven Results
Initial independent evaluations of three citywide CVI programs by the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Northwestern University CORNERS have shown promising evidence of impact for participants, which includes:
79%
Fewer arrests for shootings or homicides
(READI Chicago)
50%
Reduction in victimization and 73% fewer re-arrests for violent crime
(Chicago CRED)
31%
Fewer gunshot injuries over two years
(CP4P)
Our Data-Driven Hypothesis
Based on promising evidence for CVI and other relevant research, SC2 is advancing the following hypothesis:
If SC2 successfully facilitates peace among groups in conflict, integrates high-quality delivery of five core services, uses multi-source data to inform decision-making, and reaches at least 75% of the individuals in a community at the highest risk of violence, then there will be fewer shootings and homicides and, through spill-over effects, the overall environment of physical safety will change, further reducing shootings and retaliatory shootings, the incentive to carry weapons, and other conditions that fuel gun violence.
We Are Now
Accepting Proposals for an Evaluation
& Learning Partner
SC2’s comprehensive evaluation and learning project includes three components:
(1) process/implementation evaluation
(2) qualitative impact evaluation
(3) quantitative impact evaluation
The process/implementation evaluation will be conducted by a local university partner .
This RFP seeks applicants for Components 2 and 3 — qualitative and quantitative impact evaluation. These may be conducted by one applicant or a partnership that can effectively conduct the impact evaluation, with the expectation of collaborating with the local university partner.
We believe
Violence Can
Be Disrupted
and communities
and
communities
Can Heal
Our working hypothesis is centered on scaling peace:
If we reach the majority of individuals at highest risk, offer consistent and credible intervention, and effectively coordinate services, then communities will grow safer, stronger, and more resilient.
The Evaluation & Learning Partner will play a critical role in:
Refining our approach in real time
Translating insights into action
Building trust and shared accountability with community stakeholders
Helping justify future investments in CVI, locally and nationally
What Makes an Ideal Applicant
We’re looking for a mission-aligned partner with the capacity to manage complex, multi-method evaluation work in real time.
Your team should bring expertise in:
We encourage proposals from:
- Research universities or centers
- Nonprofit evaluation firms
- Multidisciplinary teams with both qualitative and quantitative capacity
Submit Your LOI Today
Letters of Intent should be no more than two pages in length and emailed to admin@ScaleCVIChicago.org.
Please use this format for your email subject line: [Organization Name]-SC2-LOI.
Selected Letters of Intent applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal once all letters have been reviewed and evaluated.
Submission Requirements:
A brief description of the organization/ research team and its relevant experience.
Identification of key personnel and their qualifications.
A statement of interest in conducting the evaluation.
Submissions will be evaluated in two primary components:
Quantitative Impact Evaluation
Measuring the initiative's causal effect on key outcomes, such as violence reduction, community safety, and individual well-being.
Qualitative Impact Evaluation
Examining the experiences of initiative participants and stakeholders and exploring the mechanisms through which the initiative affects change. The data for the qualitative impact evaluation will be provided by a process evaluation team that is assessing the historical and contemporary contexts for program and initiative implementation, fidelity, and operational effectiveness.
RFP Timeline
July 1
LOIs due by 11:59 PM ET via email
July 18
Selected applicants will be notified to submit full proposals.
August 22
Full proposals due by 11:59 PM ET
September 8-17
Interviews conducted with top applicants
October 1
Final applicant(s) of full proposals notified of decision
Letter of Intent due
July 1 by 11:59 pm ET
