SAN DIEGO - Up to $150,000 in grants will be distributed to organizations in the city working to reduce gang violence through an initiative announced today by The San Diego Foundation.

Nonprofit community organizations that have experience in gang intervention programs can apply for individual grants of up to $25,000 through the "STOP Gang-Related Violence in San Diego NOW," initiative.

Bob Kelly, president of The San Diego Foundation, said the "mini- grants" will be distributed over the next 90 days.

He said the program is designed to compliment the work now underway by the San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention.

"The STOP NOW initiative fills a gap between where our community is now and where we hope to be once long-term solutions are identified and put to work," Kelly said.

The program was initiated at the urging of Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilman Tony Young, who were looking to develop a short-term approach to reducing gang crime, according to the mayor's office.

Sanders, Young and San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne attended a news conference at The San Diego Foundation's headquarters at the former Naval Training Center today to announce the "STOP NOW" initiative.