States United to Prevent Gun Violence was founded in 2000 by an affiliation of independent state gun violence prevention organizations drawn together to communicate, share expertise, and gain traction as a community in a common cause. In 2010, States United merged with Freedom States Alliance, a non-profit assembly of Midwest state organizations, to form a States United to Prevent Gun Violence 501(c)(3) non-profit. The States United to Prevent Gun Violence Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, incorporated in 2014. The two organizations maintain separate, though overlapping, boards of directors. States United is supported through foundation grants, affiliate member dues, and generous individual donors.
