Domestic violence agencies across the state will soon receive additional funding through The Domestic Violence Trust Fund. 

The trust fund went into full effect in January and will supply supplemental revenue for agencies to provide shelter for victims and will help conduct education and prevention programs. The law, which was enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley in 2015, started the fund by allocating funds from marriage licenses. The law set the marriage license fee at $60, which is distributed to supply supplemental revenue to agencies that support domestic violence victims.

SABRA Sanctuary executive director Nancy Travis doesn’t know how much the trust fund will provide, but every bit makes a difference.

“We’re excited about it,” Travis said. “We’re all looking forward to seeing how much money it will be.”

Funds will be issued quarterly by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Managed by the ADECA, allocations will vary per agency according to the number of marriage licenses issued and determined by a formula that considers factors such as population and domestic violence instances.

“Domestic violence impacts many women and families across Alabama, but thanks to our state’s domestic violence agencies that offer services to help end the cycle of abuse, a victim has resources that can help rebuild lives,” Bentley said in a press release. “I am pleased to have played a role in establishing the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, and I know these grants will be the first of many new opportunities to help women and families who experience domestic violence.”

In addition to SABRA Sanctuary, 15 other agencies will be benefiting from the trust fund including Family Sunshine Center, Penelope House, Safehouse of Shelby County, Victim Services of Cullman, Domestic Violence Intervention Center, Crisis Center of Russell County and other agencies.

“ADECA’s partnership with domestic violence agencies enables us to reach the people at the local level that need and deserve these services,” said Jim Byard Jr., ADECA director, in a press release. “There are resources available to victims of domestic violence and ADECA is proud to support funding that connects victims to resources.”

ADECA will also supply other funding through federal sources annually to agencies. Even though these funding sources are available to many agencies across the state, some still are dependent on local revenue sources, fundraisers and volunteer donations.

For more information about SABRA Sanctuary or to make donations, call Travis at (334) 877-4645.