Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project (OGEPP) Proposal for for Law Schools or Legal Advocacy Organizations

The Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project (OGEPP) is a state-level initiative administered by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) that provides funding to law schools and legal advocacy organizations to expand access to expedited pardons. The project was designed to address the barriers faced by individuals applying for gubernatorial pardons in Ohio, particularly those who can demonstrate rehabilitation and positive contributions to their communities after completing their sentences. Through this initiative, the state aims to ensure that qualified applicants have access to professional legal assistance to prepare clemency applications and navigate the hearing process. The program’s purpose is to create partnerships with law schools and legal advocacy organizations to assist applicants in completing the required documentation and preparing for parole board hearings. Organizations receiving funding must adhere to the OGEPP’s established guidelines, including promotion of the program through their communications, use of official materials and branding, and attendance at mandatory trainings. Recipients are expected to manage assigned cases, communicate with clients, and prepare full pardon application packets, including preparing clients for clemency hearings and providing direct representation before the parole board. The program places strong emphasis on both applicant preparation and consistent reporting of outcomes. To be eligible, applicants must be law schools or legal advocacy organizations that provide legal services to underserved populations in Ohio. The application requires organizations to demonstrate either prior experience with OGEPP or to detail how they will fulfill required program functions. Additionally, applicants must submit quarterly performance reports documenting training attendance, the number of new clients served, the number of packets submitted, representation at hearings, and geographic coverage across counties. A final fiscal report at the end of the grant period is also required. The evaluation process is based on a scoring matrix that awards points for demonstrated capacity, number of clients served, geographic reach, and reporting of past performance metrics. Funding for this opportunity totals $700,000, which will be divided among multiple recipients. No individual award will exceed $175,000. The funding must be used to meet the objectives of the OGEPP, and applicants are required to provide a budget proposal detailing how funds will be allocated across categories such as personnel, supplies, equipment, travel, contracts, and other direct or indirect costs. This ensures that expenditures directly contribute to expanding legal access and supporting clients seeking expedited pardons. Matching funds are not required, allowing organizations to apply without committing additional resources. The timeline for the Fiscal Year 2026 grant cycle begins with the application opening on August 15, 2025. Completed proposals must be submitted electronically by September 30, 2025, to juliet.oberle@odrc.state.oh.us. The program period starts on October 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2026. Given that the OGEPP is an ongoing initiative, future funding cycles may be announced, but applicants must adhere to the current deadlines. Proposals should be thorough and provide clear evidence of organizational readiness to fulfill the OGEPP requirements. For questions or further details, the primary contact is Joe Schwarm, who can be reached by phone at (614) 554-3916 or by email at joe.schwarm@drc.ohio.gov. Additional resources and official materials are available on the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction website at http://drc.ohio.gov. The Ohio Grants Partnership also maintains resources to support applicants, including general grant application guidance. This funding opportunity represents a focused effort by the State of Ohio to expand equitable access to pardons for individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and are contributing members of their communities.

Applicants should emphasize prior experience with OGEPP, ability to serve a wide number of clients and counties, and strong reporting practices