The Proposition 47 Grant Program was established following a voter-approved initiative in November 2014 that reclassified certain nonviolent offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. This legislative shift generated annual state savings, 65 percent of which are allocated to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to administer as grants supporting mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and diversion programs for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The program also allows for housing-related support services, job training, case management, and civil legal services, with a focus on reducing recidivism and promoting restorative justice.
Cohort 5 of the Proposition 47 Grant Program offers approximately $127 million in funding. Funding is divided into three categories: up to $2 million for small-scope projects, between $2 million and $8 million for large-scope projects, and up to $20 million exclusively for Los Angeles County. Eligible applicants are California-based public agencies, which may apply individually or jointly, but only one lead agency may be designated per application. Current Cohort 4 grantees are ineligible to apply unless they propose a new Proposition 36 treatment-mandated felony program. To qualify, applicants must allocate at least 50 percent of their award to community-based organizations (CBOs). Applicants exceeding this requirement may earn up to four additional preference points during proposal evaluation.
Applicants must submit their proposals through the BSCC Submittable Application Portal no later than 3:00 p.m. (PST) on June 23, 2025. Mandatory proposal components include a project budget, a detailed work plan, a local advisory committee membership roster, and a letter of agreement from all advisory committee members. Optional but encouraged is a letter of intent to apply by May 9, 2025. A virtual Grant Information Session will be held on May 7, 2025, to assist applicants in understanding the RFP and answering technical questions.
The grant term spans from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The first three months are for start-up and implementation, followed by three years of service delivery, and six months for final reporting and audits. Grantees are required to submit quarterly progress reports and allocate a minimum of 5 percent (or $50,000) of the award to data collection and evaluation. All funded programs must align with the guiding principles of the grant, including culturally competent, trauma-informed, and restorative justice-based practices.
Evaluation of proposals will be based on five weighted rating factors: project need, community engagement, project description, data collection and evaluation, and the proposal budget. Proposals must achieve a minimum score of 130 out of a possible 204 points to be considered for funding. The BSCC anticipates making final funding decisions in September 2025. Selected grantees must attend a mandatory orientation and will be monitored throughout the grant term for compliance and performance.
For questions regarding the RFP or the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact the Prop 47 team at Prop47Cohort5@bscc.ca.gov or call (916) 445-5073.
