MPHI is proud to announce that it recently received a grant from Arnold Ventures to support causal research into gun violence prevention initiatives, like MPHI’s Advance Peace Initiative. Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy foundation dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through supporting evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. MPHI’s Advance Peace Initiative works to prevent gun violence through the Peacemaker Fellowship® program, which provides mentorship to those most likely to be affected by gun violence. Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has demonstrated impressive results in reducing gun violence in the Lansing and Ingham County areas. The success of this initiative and others like it across the nation has led to interest in researching the value of these initiatives in improving community safety and social justice.
“The Peacemaker Fellowship® is built on trust, mentorship, and accountability,” said DeVone Boggan, Founder and CEO of Advance Peace. “This research will shine a light on its transformative potential, ensuring communities across the country benefit from proven strategies to disrupt cycles of violence.”
The goal of this research is to discern what makes initiatives like Advance Peace effective, and how the strategies used in gun violence initiatives can be implemented across the country to improve safety on a nationwide scale. MPHI has partnered with the Center for Global Healthy Cities at the University of California, Berkeley, the Litmus Program at New York University, and Advance Peace to conduct this research.
“This collaboration exemplifies the power of public health-focused solutions to address complex societal challenges,” said Dr. Paul Elam, Chief Strategy Officer, MPHI. “By rigorously evaluating the Peacemaker Fellowship, we aim to provide policymakers and practitioners with actionable data to reduce gun violence and save lives.”
The study will provide an intersection between real-world impact and research results. Public health initiatives strive to use evidence-based strategies, and this newly funded research will provide necessary evidence to support the results of gun violence prevention programs.
“Since its founding in 1990, MPHI has been dedicated to advancing public health through groundbreaking partnerships and rigorous research. As a private nonprofit research and health policy institute, we have always worked hand-in-hand with governmental and community partners to address critical public health challenges,” said Dr. Renée Branch Canady, Chief Executive Officer, MPHI. “Gun violence is one such challenge—a public health crisis that demands innovative, evidence-based solutions. This study represents the power of collaboration to uncover strategies that not only reduce gun violence but also promote healing, equity, and resilience in the communities most affected.”
For more information, visit:
Advance Peace Lansing/Ingham – Working to end Gun Violence and Heal Communities
Learn More About Arnold Ventures
Connect with MPHI