An interview with the past Nevada Sexual Assault Program Coordinator provided information on governmental influences and community coalition development. A questionnaire was sent to 54 State and territorial sexual assault coalitions to obtain information on their interaction with Federal programs in their work. Journals, books, and the Internet provided a guide to understanding the development of coalitions. Much of the research was based in organizational theories of political power, community coalitions, and Federal and legislative documents. A total of 29 responses were received from State coalitions. According to the responses from the survey, 90 percent of State sexual assault coalitions received from 70 percent to 100 percent of their revenue from Federal and State grant programs. This financial support allowed the coalitions to sustain work intended to decrease sexual violence. In most cases, the Federal Government provided funding once the coalitions had formed, but did not force States to form coalitions, even though two coalitions stated that their organizational members' involvement was encouraged by Federal funding sources. The author recommends that coalitions make an effort to diversify funding sources to ensure their ability to withstand limited or terminated government grant-funded programs. Some coalitions rely heavily on Federal funding, such that if the funding were to cease so would the coalition. Issues for further research in this area are suggested. A 47-item bibliography, appended survey questionnaire, and lists of statewide coalitions that did and did not respond to the survey