The Arizona Justice Reinvestment Grants Program, managed by Vitalyst Health Foundation and the Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ), was established following the passage of Proposition 207 in 2020, which legalized recreational cannabis use in Arizona. A portion of the resulting tax revenue is allocated to the Justice Reinvestment Fund. This fund supports programs that address substance use and mental health—issues commonly contributing to incarceration—by distributing approximately $10 million in grants in 2025.
The grant program is focused on aiding communities and individuals affected by the justice system or substance use. It prioritizes initiatives such as substance use prevention, treatment, early intervention, restorative justice, workforce development, civil rights restoration, and reduction of incarceration through public health strategies. Eligible applicants include Arizona-based 501(c)(3) public charities and organizations working on tribal lands or under fiscal sponsorship. For-profit entities and non-Arizona-based organizations are excluded unless they operate under an eligible Arizona fiscal sponsor.
The grant application portal opened on May 1, 2025, and submissions are due by May 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. MST. Grants are categorized into two tiers: Tier 1 awards range from $50,000 to $500,000, and Tier 2 awards range from $500,000 to $1 million. Applicants may propose programs lasting from one to four years, beginning in August 2025. Grants are awarded on a cost-reimbursement basis, and advanced funding is available for up to 45 days’ projected expenses upon request.
Applicants must complete a comprehensive application package, including narrative responses, budget workbooks, and optional supporting materials. Applications must be submitted through the AkoyaGO portal or delivered to Vitalyst. Only one application per lead organization is allowed, though fiscal sponsors may support multiple applications. Evaluation will be conducted by community reviewers based on criteria such as program design, target population, organizational capacity, data/evaluation plans, and budgeting.
The application process includes optional participation in an in-person meeting to showcase proposed initiatives and discuss outcome measurement. Selected applicants will be notified of their award status on August 1, 2025. For inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact Michelle Goodthunder at mgoodthunder@vitalysthealth.org or call 602-385-6500. A virtual information session was held on April 17, 2025, and an in-person session on April 24, 2025, to provide additional guidance.
