The Denver-based Colorado Trust has announced a $8.6 million initiative to help schools and community organizations prevent bullying.

Research shows that bullying has long-term consequences for bullies and their victims. Youth who bully typically have criminal records by the time they turn twenty-four, while victims of bullying are more likely to experience academic failure, school absenteeism, low self-esteem, depression, and an inability to connect socially with other youth. The trust's initiative will focus on providing support to schools and community-based organizations for new or existing bullying prevention programs. Through a competitive Request for Proposals process the trust will select up to thirty-five grantees from across the state, with grant awards averaging $50,000 a year over a three-year period. Grantees also will receive technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities.

"One of the most important issues to be addressed through this effort will be educating and empowering the vast majority of students who are neither bullying nor being bullied, but are bystanders," said Colorado Trust president and CEO John R. Moran Jr.