Decorative
Decorative
Decorative
Environmental and Social Innovation

Gun Violence Prevention Initiative

Gun violence in the United States affects communities everywhere. Approximately half of American adults say they have experienced a gun-related incident, posing a threat to the safety of where we live, work, learn, and play.

Across the country, community-based organizations and local government agencies continue working to prevent gun violence, address this public health crisis, and build safer communities. As a result, the Milken Institute has undertaken extensive research to better understand the scope of gun violence and firearm injuries in the US and identify how untapped areas like business and finance can act on violence prevention.

Our work aims to address research gaps, support improved data infrastructure at the county and state levels, identify new and diverse opportunities for funding models, and spur philanthropic, business, and finance communities to support and drive existing community-led work.

The Current State of Gun Violence in the United States

0
+
Die from firearms each year
0
%
Experience a gun-related incident
#
0
Cause of death for individuals under the age of 24 is firearms
$
0
B
Estimated cost of gun violence annually

Initiative Objectives

  • Engage, convene, and connect stakeholders both within and outside of the current gun violence prevention (GVP ecosystem)—including researchers, funders, advocates, and business leaders—across sectors to identify strategic levers and actionable recommendations.
  • Advance evidence-based, community-led solutions through collaboration, coalition building, research, and innovative programming.
  • Galvanize, identify, and unlock new and diverse funding streams and models to ensure reductions in gun violence are not only achieved but sustained.

Together, we are building a collaborative, cross-sector approach to GVP—one that unites experts across disciplines, from public health and housing to education and finance, to foster alignment, amplify impact, and ensure safer communities that can thrive.

Activating Philanthropic and Business Capital

This report, Activating Philanthropic and Business Capital: Strategies to Advance Gun Violence Prevention in the US, underscores the urgent need for strategic investments from philanthropists and business leaders to prevent gun violence

Download the Report
abstract

Watch our Panels and Hear from Experts on Building Safer Communities

"Gun violence devastates families and communities and compromises our country’s ability to attract investment and talent—key pillars of the American dream,” said Richard Ditizio, CEO, Milken Institute. "We don’t have to accept this status quo—there’s an opportunity for philanthropy and business to step up."

Gun Violence Prevention Initiative
Highlights