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Non-profit

Fund for a Safer Future

Website:

www.fundforasaferfuture.org/
Type:

Donor Collaborative
Formation:

2006
President:

Rob Wilcox

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The Fund for a Safer Future (FSF) is a gun control advocacy group and is a project of the New Venture Fund (NVF), a left-of-center nonprofit managed by philanthropic consulting firm Arabella Advisors (acquired by Sunflower Services as of 2025). 1

Activities

In 2014, along with the gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, Fund for a Safer Future funded a study on illegal gun trafficking in Boston, Massachusetts. 2

In 2018, along with the Joyce Foundation, FSF funded a study led by the University of Washington, Northeastern University and Harvard University to show that “the presence of a firearm increases the risk for suicide…may lead people to think twice about whether or not firearm ownership and their storage practices are really the safest options.” 3

The FSF, along with other left-wing charitable foundations, donated to organizations to advocate for gun control in the United States after a 2018 school shooting in Florida. The Langeloth Foundation gave $500,000 to Guns Down America, another gun control organization, and has contributed to the FSF for similar measures. 4

FSF has funded studies to show the dangers of storing firearms around children5 and campaign for Extreme Risk Protection Orders or “red flag” laws. 6

The FSF funds the pro-gun-control advocacy group The Trace. The Trace publishes articles on gun control, the National Rifle Association, and mass shooting events 7

In July 2025, the FSF supported a study released by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, which developed recommendations for states to pass gun permit laws. The Center described permit to purchase laws as “one of the most effective policies to address and reduce multiple forms of gun violence, including firearm homicide, firearm suicide, mass shootings, and shootings both by and of police, as well as the diversion of firearms into illicit markets.” Among the recommendations the Center had were requiring fingerprints, enhanced background checks, requiring them for handguns and semi-automatic long guns, and stating that the permit to purchase does not authorize the concealed carry of handguns. 8 9

In August 2025, the FSF promoted a report by The Trace and Rolling Stone which claimed that gun owners could be open to more gun control. The report was based on a survey by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry lobbying group, which tested pro- and anti-gun messages on gun owners and others. The report found that gun owners were open to “universal background checks, red flag laws, and even a gun registry.” 10 11

In September 2025, the FSF supported the group Project Unloaded, which is a fiscally sponsored project of the New Venture Fund, a nonprofit managed by philanthropic consulting firm Arabella Advisors (which was acquired by Sunflower Services in 2025). The group discourages young people from owning guns and it bases its strategy on the efforts used to discourage people from smoking cigarettes. The group claims that because of its efforts, teens were 15 to 20 percent less likely to want to own guns. 12 13

In November 2025, the FSF supported the left-of-center and teacher union-aligned group Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence. The group, which was founded by teachers who survived school shootings, which among things offers crisis support services. The group planned to expand their services to teachers who teach in violence-prone areas. The group supports stricter limits on the right to bear arms and opposes the deployment of immigration enforcement agents in communities and schools. 14 15 16

In November 2025, the FSF promoted a study conducted by the University of Virginia which conducted research into what state and local governments can do to reduce gun violence. The study recommended that adults should put more effort into listening to young people about what contributes to gun violence because young people are not comfortable talking to adults. The study also recommended that local governments work with violence prevention groups that try to deescalate conflicts. The study also promoted increased law enforcement targeting gangs and repeat violent offenders. The study also recommended addressing absenteeism from schools. Finally, the study recommended passing laws requiring the safe storage of firearms. 17 18

Funding

Fund for a Safer Future has received grants from CEO of Vail Resorts Rob Katz,19 the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation,20 the MacArthur Foundation, the McCormick Foundation, the Broad Foundation, the Crown & Goodman Family Foundations,21 the David Bohnett Foundation,22 the True North Foundation,23 the Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation,24 the Joyce Foundation,25 the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund,26 the Arrow Family Fund,27 and the Alphawood Foundation. 28

In 2013, left-of-center donors Eli Broad and David Bohnett wrote an op-ed asking for donors to support philanthropic efforts to support gun control, specifically mentioning Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns (a predecessor to Everytown for Gun Safety) and Fund for a Safer Future. 29

Leadership

As of 2025, Rob Wilcox is the president and CEO of Fund for a Safer Future. Prior to this, he was on White House’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention during the Biden Administration. 30

References

  1. “New Venture Fund – for the Fund for a Safer Future.” William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, 27 Aug. 2018, hewlett.org/grants/new-venture-fund-for-the-fund-for-a-safer-future/.
  2. “Mayor Walsh Convenes Mayors, Municipal Leaders, Law Enforcement for New England’s First Regional Gun Trafficking Summit | City of Boston.” Official Web Site of the City of Boston, City of Boston, 24 Apr. 2014, www.cityofboston.gov/news/default.aspx?id=7611.
  3. UW News Staff. “Suicide More Prevalent than Homicide in US, but Most Americans Don’t Know It.” UW News, University of Washington, 30 Oct. 2018, www.washington.edu/news/2018/10/30/suicide-more-prevalent-than-homicide-in-us-but-most-americans-dont-know-it/.
  4. Phillips, Ariella. “March for Our Lives Movement Sparks Broader Foundation Response to Gun Violence.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2 Aug. 2018, www.philanthropy.com/article/March-for-Our-Lives-Movement/244118.
  5. Scott, John, et al. “Firearm Storage in Homes With Children With Self-Harm Risk Factors.” Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 Mar. 2018, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/3/e20172600.
  6. Swanson, Jeffrey, et al. “IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CONNECTICUT’S RISK-BASED GUN REMOVAL LAW: DOES IT PREVENT SUICIDES? .” RISK-BASED GUN REMOVAL LAWS, Duke University School of Law, scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4830&context=lcp.
  7. “Donor and Financial Transparency.” The Trace, Trace Media, Inc. , www.thetrace.org/donor-financial-transparency/.
  8. [1] “Guide for Policymakers on Strengthening Firearm Licensing Laws: Fund for a Safer Future Posted on the Topic.” LinkedIn, August 5, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fund-for-a-safer-future_new-model-policy-guide-aims-to-strengthen-activity-7358529398012039170-TIYw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABTBQfsBFGW4LUc9mHa-IY-bm8ajVPJvs-w.
  9. New Model Policy Guide aims to strengthen firearm purchaser licensing laws | center for gun violence solutions, July 30, 2025. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/2025/new-model-policy-guide-aims-to-strengthen-firearm-purchaser-licensing-laws.
  10. [1] “Gun Rights Supporters Could Accept Significant Regulations, per Industry’s Research: Fund for a Safer Future.” LinkedIn, October 15, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fund-for-a-safer-future_gun-rights-supporters-could-accept-significant-activity-7384275331937079296-6Mvk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABTBQfsBFGW4LUc9mHa-IY-bm8ajVPJvs-w.
  11. Spies, Mike. “Gun Rights Supporters Could Accept Significant Regulations, per Industry’s Research.” The Trace, August 29, 2025. https://www.thetrace.org/2025/08/gun-rights-reform-industry-study-nssf/.
  12. “Vital City: Breaking through with the next Generation: Fund for a Safer Future.” LinkedIn, September 18, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fund-for-a-safer-future_vital-city-breaking-through-with-the-next-activity-7374559443981758464-MJpy?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABTBQfsBFGW4LUc9mHa-IY-bm8ajVPJvs-w.
  13. Vinik, Nina. “Breaking through with the next Generation.” Vital City, September 10, 2025. https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/breaking-through-with-the-next-generation-on-firearms.
  14. [1] “These Teachers Survived School Shootings. Now They’re Offering Help to Their Peers.: Fund for a Safer Future.” LinkedIn, November 18, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fund-for-a-safer-future_these-teachers-survived-school-shootings-activity-7396577950919401472-gl5P?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABTBQfsBFGW4LUc9mHa-IY-bm8ajVPJvs-w.
  15. Caiola, Sammy. “These Teachers Survived School Shootings. Now They’re Offering Help to Their Peers.” Chalkbeat, November 12, 2025. https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2025/11/12/teacher-survivors-of-school-shootings-offer-crisis-support/.
  16. “Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence.” Teachers Unify To End Gun Violence. Accessed January 26, 2026. https://www.teachersunify.org/.
  17. “New UVA Research Recommends Gun Violence Prevention Strategies for State, Local Governments .” LinkedIn, November 25, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fund-for-a-safer-future_new-uva-research-recommends-gun-violence-activity-7399122203532959744-Gimn/.
  18. Woods, Charlotte Rene. “New UVA Research Recommends Gun Violence Prevention Strategies for State, Local Governments .” Virginia Mercury, November 14, 2025. https://virginiamercury.com/2025/11/14/new-uva-research-recommends-gun-violence-prevention-strategies-for-state-local-governments/.
  19. report, Daily staff. “Vail Resorts CEO Announces Donation of $31 Million to His Family’s Foundation.” VailDaily.com, Swift Communciations, 13 June 2018, www.vaildaily.com/news/vail-resorts-ceo-announces-donation-of-31-million-to-his-familys-foundation/.
  20. “New Venture Fund – for the Fund for a Safer Future.” Hewlett Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, 27 Aug. 2018, hewlett.org/grants/new-venture-fund-for-the-fund-for-a-safer-future/.
  21. “The Fund for a Safer Future – 2013 Action Fund .” New Venture Fund, New Venture Fund, 2013, www.newventurefund.org/wp-content/uploads/FSF-2013ActionFund.pdf.
  22. “Grants: David Bohnett Foundation.” Grants | David Bohnett Foundation, www.bohnettfoundation.org/grants/category/gun-violence-prevention/.
  23. A 990-PF: True North Foundation, a 501(c)3 exempt private foundation, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Form 990-PF, Part XV, Line 3a.
  24. “NFG Member Spotlight: The Jacob & Valeria Langeloth Foundation.” NFG, 12 July 2019, www.nfg.org/member_spotlight_langeloth_foundation.
  25. “Joyce Foundation Awards $10 Million in Grants.” The Joyce Foundation, www.joycefdn.org/news/joyce-foundation-awards-10-million-in-grants.
  26. “Grants Database.” Lisa Douglas Goldman Fund Grants Database Comments, www.ldgfund.org/our-grants/grants-database/page/3/?orderby=grantee-grant-amount&order=desc&program=democracy-and-civil-liberties.
  27. “2018 Grants.” Arnow Family Fund, www.arnowfamilyfund.org/2018-grants.
  28. “Advocacy.” Alphawood Foundation Chicago, www.alphawoodfoundation.org/advocacy-grantees.
  29. Broad, Eli, and David Bohnett. “If You Back Gun Reform, Write a Check.” CNN, Cable News Network, 19 Feb. 2013, www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/broad-bohnett-gun-reform/index.html.
  30. Bianco, Ali and Rachel Umansky-Castro. “Congress’ health care headache.” Politico Playbook, December 11, 2025. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook-pm/2025/12/10/congress-health-care-headache-00684850
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