VictimsFirst Withdraws Support from Mass Violence Survivors Fund

May 1, 2026 — VictimsFirst is formally withdrawing its endorsement of the Mass Violence Survivors Fund and its Executive Director, Jeff Dion, for what we have see as repeated failures involving poor judgment and decisions that have harmed the very survivors the organization was created to serve.

In the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting on Oct. 25, 2023, we supported a clear and established principle: 100% of donations collected in the immediate aftermath of mass violence should go directly to victims’ families and survivors through a process created by our mass violence families from across the country that is transparent, ethical, and an effective response to mass violence that puts victims first.

Instead, documents revealed that the Lewiston-Auburn Response Fund was altered in a way to direct a substantial portion of the donations collected to nonprofits—the majority of which had no role in serving Lewiston shooting victims. The process raised serious concerns, including conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, and the absence of meaningful safeguards to ensure funds prioritized those directly impacted by the mass shooting.

The result: 29 nonprofits were granted over $65,000 each by the Maine Community Foundation – nine times the $7,000 that people who survived received, and over double the $30,000 some of those who were shot received. Those who survived narrowly escaped death, held the hands of the dying, performed CPR, and witnessed family and friends being murdered. The wounded are still undergoing surgeries.

The 29 nonprofits were given those grants by a 10-person Steering Committee. Six of those on the Committee received grants for their own nonprofits, and another received a grant for a spouse’s nonprofit. Of the 29 nonprofit organizations receiving $1.9 million in grants, the vast majority did not assist victims’ families and survivors. The MCF grants were given without any restriction, allowing the 29 nonprofits to spend their $65K allotment however they chose, rather than being required to prioritize victims’ families and survivors of the shooting. The nonprofits were not properly vetted as a former felon convicted of killing a man with a firearm received $131K for his two nonprofits.

When those most directly impacted by the shooting raised their voices in concern, those issues were not meaningfully addressed. Public statements defending the Maine Community Foundation’s decisions only deepened confusion about the role of the Mass Violence Survivors’ Fund and Dion, and further eroded trust among survivors who were seeking answers and transparency.

The result has been predictable: survivors and family members—those who should be at the center of care—have been sidelined, revictimized, and forced to fight for basic accountability.

VictimsFirst will not endorse or align with practices that deviate from victim-centered principles, lack transparency, are unethical, and enable the diversion of much-needed financial assistance intended to help those directly impacted. We stand with the Lewiston families and survivors in their calls for transparency, accountability, and independent review.

Survivors deserve better—and VictimsFirst will continue to advocate accordingly.