Criminal Justice Reform Grants Coming Up in August
August brings a mix of urgent deadlines and rolling opportunities for criminal justice nonprofits. If you're working on reentry, youth justice, alternatives to incarceration, or systemic reform, these funders are actively looking to move money. The month ahead includes both large ecosystem grants and rapid-turnaround funds designed for the exact moment you need them.
District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services: Grant for Nonprofits Serving Justice-Involved Youth
DYRS is funding a single organization to lead a comprehensive community-based ecosystem for justice-involved youth ages 14-21 and their families. The selected grantee will manage sub-grants, build capacity for subgrantees, run community engagement events, and administer an emergency stabilization fund. Programming centers on workforce readiness, life skills, financial literacy, and family engagement at the MLK Achievement Center. This is a significant leadership role with real infrastructure responsibility. Deadline is August 7. Apply here
Los Angeles County Justice, Care & Opportunities Department: Grant for Community-Based Organizations Serving Justice-Impacted Populations
Year 5 of the Care First Community Investment initiative is now open. JCOD and Heluna Health are supporting community-based organizations providing alternatives to incarceration across LA County, including behavioral health, harm reduction, housing, reentry support, and crisis diversion. If your organization is rooted in the community you serve and working on any of these fronts, this is a substantial funding stream. Deadline is August 24. Apply here
Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People & Families Movement: Grant for Formerly Incarcerated-Led Criminal Justice Reform Nonprofits
This fund supports grassroots organizations led by formerly incarcerated people working on criminal justice reform, rights restoration, and civic engagement. Organizations typically operate on budgets under $500,000 and receive not just grants but capacity building and peer learning support. Leadership development among incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people is the through-line. This is a rolling deadline, so there's no single cutoff date. Apply here
Michigan Justice Fund: Grant for Criminal Justice Reform Nonprofits
Michigan-based advocacy and direct service organizations can apply for rapid-turnaround funding on a rolling basis. The fund is designed for exactly what keeps you up at night: urgent organizational crises, time-sensitive planning needs, and testing new ideas that don't yet fit standard grant criteria. Awards typically come within 30 days. Individual grants are $10,000. Apply here
Public Welfare Foundation: Grant for Criminal Justice Reform Nonprofits
Public Welfare Foundation funds transformative justice system reform through policy and systems change, with a focus on racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness. They support both general operating grants and program-specific funding across criminal justice, youth justice, and narrative change. This is a rolling deadline. Apply here
Borealis Philanthropy: Grant for Frontline Power-Building Organizations
Borealis supports frontline power-building organizations, coalitions, and emergent formations working on community safety, democracy protection, and belonging in criminalized communities. They fund strategies that transform systems of criminalization and exclusion. The process begins with a letter of intent, and selected applicants move to a full proposal. Rolling deadline. Apply here
If any of these funders or grant types align with work you're doing, reply and let us know. We're here to help you stay close to the relationships that matter most to your mission.
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