Category Archives: Criminal Justice

 Sky Ranch Foundation

The Sky Ranch Foundation supports organizations in the U.S. and its territories who work with at-risk youth. Awards are generally $5,000 – $40,000 and may be used for general operating support, capacity building, and capital expenses.

Letters of Inquiry are due by January 31, 2025.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Federally recognized Native American Tribes

Grant Activities

Projects and/or organizations should focus on:

  • Serving troubled youth aged 11-18; preference will be given to applications that focus on ages 11-15
  • Preventing youth involvement in the criminal justice system or providing long-term rehabilitation in a residential or alternative setting
  • Providing comprehensive support services, such as education, job training, enrichment activities, counseling, and case management

LOI Guidelines

Letters of Inquiry should be 2-3 pages long and include:

  • Contact person’s name, title, email, mailing address, telephone, and fax number
  • A brief statement of the organization’s history and activities
  • A description of the project/request, including the request amount, project purpose, and timeline
  • Estimated budgets for both the organization and the specific project
  • A brief overview of the organization’s sources of revenue and funders associated with the specific project
  • A brief biographical sketch of the key personnel

LOIs should be sent to Dori Bryant, Director of Partnership Development at doribryant501@gmail.com and CC Jill Damato  Senior Vice President/Senior Philanthropic Officer at  jill_damato@bofa.com.

Barbara McDowell Foundation

The Barbara McDowell Foundation provides grant funding for legal fees related to specific social justice cases in the United States.

Letters of Intent will be accepted June 1-15, 2024 for a grant term of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025. LOIs submitted before June 1st will be rejected.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to pay legal fees for social justice cases filed between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024.

Criminal cases, individual claims, and amicus briefs are not eligible.

Key Issues

The McDowell Foundation is focused on cases related to:

  • Access to benefits
  • Children’s rights
  • Disability rights
  • Discrimination
  • Domestic violence
  • Due process
  • Environmental justice
  • Healthcare
  • Homelessness
  • Housing
  • Native American rights
  • Prisoner’s rights
  • Refugee and immigration rights
  • Veteran’s rights
  • Voting rights

Ideal cases will:

  • Address one of these areas of interest
  • Have a significant impact on the well being and civil liberties of disadvantaged Americans
  • Set a significant legal precedent

Scoring Criteria

All LOIs will be scored based on:

  • Alignment with mission
  • Social justice impact
  • Financial need

Urban Institute Catalyst Grant Program

The Urban Institute has partnered with the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative to present the Catalyst Grant Program. The program supports local level projects using data and technology to reform the adult criminal justice system. Projects should focus on Prevention, Policing, or Prosecution.

Applications for up to $40,000 plus additional benefits are due by November 17, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET. Awards will be announced in April 2024 and the grant period will be May – December 2024.

Eligibility

Lead Applicant

This grant is open to locally based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, except colleges and universities.

Partners

Partners provide personnel or expertise crucial to achieving project goals. Partners may include:

  • Nonprofit organizations with or without a 501(c)3 status
  • For-profit companies
  • Local or state governments
  • Colleges or universities
  • Individuals

Partners must be listed on the application and provide a letter confirming their commitment to the project.

Projects

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Submitted projects do not have to include new programs or activities. However, they must:

  • Focus on adults aged 18 and older
  • Focus on the front end of criminal justice system, not the formerly incarcerated
  • Advance racial equity
  • Incorporate data and technology
  • Be locally focused in a specific neighborhood, city, county, or tribal area

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Staff salaries
  • Intern or fellow stipends
  • Payment of consultants or partners
  • Data and technology training
  • Hardware
  • Software licenses
  • Supplies
  • Overhead expenses (up to 20% of award budget)

Use of Data and Technology

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Applicants are encouraged to use innovative strategies for incorporating data and technology in their projects. Some potential applications include:

  • Data acquisition
  • Data analysis
  • Designing online tools
  • Creating data-based educational materials
  • Creating an app
  • Informing and organizing committees
  • Facilitating reform measures for government officials

Awardees are not required to use Microsoft products, but use of their products will make products eligible for additional in-kind technology access and support.