Grants for Independent school districts - Law Justice and Legal Services

The William Penn Foundation is offering Climate, Environmental Justice, and Infrastructure Grants to help the Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) secure federal funding for initiatives in these areas. This grant program aligns with the Foundation's broader mission by focusing on critical environmental and social issues within its geographic scope, leveraging external funding opportunities to maximize impact. The Foundation has allocated up to $3.5 million for this Request for Proposals (RFP), with individual organizations eligible to receive a maximum of $1,000,000 over a two-year grant duration. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the communities and residents of the Philadelphia region, particularly those who will benefit from advancements in climate resilience, environmental justice, and infrastructure development. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the region's ability to access and utilize available federal funding, thereby leading to tangible improvements in these critical sectors. The Foundation aims to empower local organizations to pursue projects that might otherwise lack the necessary financial backing, fostering long-term positive change. The Foundation's strategic priorities for this grant are clearly focused on efforts to access federal funding for climate, environmental justice, and infrastructure. There are few limitations on project designs or the applicants' approach to securing such funding, encouraging innovative and diverse strategies. Proposals can focus on project development, technical or legal assistance, communications, or other methods to advance the objective, whether on a regionwide or more localized scale. This flexible approach allows for a broad range of initiatives to be supported, from initial planning to implementation support. Expected outcomes include an increase in successful applications for federal funding, a greater number of projects addressing climate change, environmental injustices, and infrastructure needs, and ultimately, an enhanced quality of life for residents in the designated counties. While the specific measurable results will depend on the individual projects funded, the Foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in the capacity of organizations to secure federal funding, it can catalyze a larger volume of impactful work in its priority areas, amplifying its philanthropic reach and fostering sustainable progress.

The Tobacco Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, aims to foster a healthier California by curtailing illegal cigarette and tobacco sales and marketing to minors. This highly competitive program, enabled by Proposition 56, allocates funds to applicants with robust enforcement capabilities. Funded agencies will focus on enforcing tobacco-related laws, conducting retailer and online inspections, and enhancing local coordination and education efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to a variety of organizations to deliver essential services for victims of abuse facilitated by technology, such as online stalking and image-based sexual abuse.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is offering Community Needs Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, to fund projects addressing community needs in areas such as education, arts, environment, human services, animal welfare, and civic affairs, with applications evaluated based on community impact, organizational capability, and project feasibility & sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to mentoring organizations that serve at-risk youth across multiple states, focusing on improving their academic performance and reducing risky behaviors, particularly for underserved populations.

The Northwest Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety (NWMCRS), supported by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), is offering grants to enhance highway and traffic safety programs and resources across selected counties in Northwest Missouri. This initiative directly aligns with MoDOT's mission to reduce injuries and fatalities on roadways, addressing a critical need highlighted by 49 fatalities within 16 of the region's 20 counties in 2023. The grants aim to empower local agencies and organizations to implement effective safety measures and awareness campaigns. The target beneficiaries for these grants include a broad spectrum of community entities such as schools, community groups, law enforcement, and health departments. These organizations are uniquely positioned to address local safety challenges and implement programs that resonate with their specific communities. The primary impact goal is a tangible reduction in roadway injuries and fatalities, contributing to safer travel for all residents within the designated Northwest Missouri region. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly contribute to roadway safety. While specific programmatic focuses are not exhaustively detailed, the overall emphasis is on "highway and traffic safety programs and resources." This broad mandate allows for a variety of approaches, from educational campaigns in schools to enforcement initiatives by law enforcement, and health-focused interventions by health departments, all working towards the common goal of safer roads. The expected outcomes of these grants are manifold. Successful applicants will be able to develop and implement programs that educate the public on safe driving practices, enforce traffic laws, and provide resources to prevent accidents. Measurable results will likely include a decrease in accident rates, a reduction in the number of serious injuries, and, most importantly, a decline in traffic-related fatalities within the targeted counties. The grant amounts, ranging from $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000 per request, are designed to support impactful, community-level interventions. MoDOT's strategic priority, as evidenced by this grant program, is to foster a proactive approach to roadway safety through community engagement and support. The underlying theory of change is that by empowering local organizations with funding and resources, tailored and effective safety programs can be implemented at the grassroots level, leading to a significant and measurable improvement in overall road safety. This localized approach is critical in addressing the diverse safety needs across the various counties of Northwest Missouri.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities, educational organizations, and nonprofits to develop community-based programs that assist children and families affected by violence, focusing on resilience and safety.

The South Arts In These Mountains (ITM) initiative is a grant program designed to support projects that promote the sharing, teaching, learning, preserving, documenting, and continuity of folk arts and traditional culture within Central Appalachia. This aligns with a broader mission to foster cultural preservation and community enrichment, particularly in underserved regions. The program seeks to empower communities through their unique cultural heritage, ensuring these traditions are passed down through generations and remain vibrant within the region. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are nonprofit organizations and educational organizations located in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) counties in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This includes a wide array of entities such as community cultural organizations, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums, performing arts presenters, community festival organizations, and faith-based organizations. The primary impact goal is to strengthen the traditional arts and cultural fabric of these communities, particularly those in rural areas with populations under 50,000, by providing essential funding for relevant projects. South Arts has several key priorities and focuses for this initiative. They are deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, actively encouraging applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led and LGBTQIA+-led organizations, as well as organizations led by people with disabilities. Furthermore, they prioritize applications that feature BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and traditional artists with disabilities. Another significant focus is on funding traditional arts projects specifically in rural communities. The grants are awarded in the amount of $10,000, with a project period from October 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the ITM initiative include a sustained and increased engagement with folk arts and traditional culture in Central Appalachia. Success will be measured by the number and quality of projects that effectively share, teach, learn, preserve, document, and support the continuity of these cultural practices. The prioritization of diverse and rural-led organizations aims to ensure that funding reaches those most in need of support and that a wide array of voices and traditions are represented and uplifted. The strategic priority of South Arts, as evidenced by this grant, is to build a more equitable and culturally rich Central Appalachia through targeted investment in its traditional arts.

The Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is offering a second round of Digital Towns Grant funding to implement strategies that improve digital equity and inclusion across the Indiana Uplands. The program aligns with ROI's mission to advance a more digitally inclusive region by integrating digital information and communication into all aspects of communities. This grant is designed to support projects and programs that ensure Uplands citizens can fully participate in a digital society, going beyond just broadband expansion to include access to affordable internet, reliable devices, and sufficient digital skills and literacy. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are Uplands communities and organizations within the 11-county Indiana Uplands region, including incorporated cities and towns, county commissions and councils, libraries, nonprofits, public education institutions, faith-based organizations, Main Street organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations with an affiliated 501(c)3, and organizations/programs that help businesses/entrepreneurs. The impact goal is to increase the digital capabilities of the region, ensuring everyone has the resources and skills to prosper in the digital age. The program focuses on three main themes: Digital Citizens, Digital Public Services, and Digital Business. Digital Citizens aims to help households connect to the internet, access devices, and grow competence in using digital technologies for internet services, e-commerce, educational opportunities, digital public services, and healthcare. Digital Public Services supports collaborations between local government, nonprofits, and healthcare to provide access to online information, services, and telehealth. Digital Business partners with businesses and entrepreneurs to maximize opportunities in the digital economy. Expected outcomes include financially supported projects that align with the Indiana Uplands Digital Inclusion Plan, leading to a more digitally inclusive region. Measurable results will be seen in increased access to affordable internet, reliable devices, and improved digital skills and literacy among citizens, as well as enhanced e-commerce opportunities for local businesses and improved access to digital public and healthcare services. ROI's strategic priority is to advance regional digital capabilities through funding for professional services, training, digital products, equipment/hardware, and other services that promote digital inclusion and prosperity. Applicants can receive between $5,000 and $50,000, with regional scope projects eligible for up to $75,000.

CJI’s Leadership Circle is soliciting proposals from grassroots organizations led by formerly incarcerated and directly impacted individuals. The program aims to transform and reimagine the U.S. criminal legal system by building alternative community-based solutions and organizing to prevent the criminalization of marginalized identities and communities. This initiative directly aligns with CJI's mission to support meaningful, transformative, and systemic change within the criminal legal system, empowering future leaders who have often experienced incarceration themselves. The foundation's strategic priority is to support movement-building organizing that creates a new world, a "world they demand NOW." The target beneficiaries are formerly incarcerated individuals and directly impacted people, including primary family members, as well as marginalized groups within their communities (e.g., poor, houseless, young, elders, queer, trans, people with mental illness, people with disabilities). The program's impact goals include ending mass criminalization and incarceration, creating safe and healthy communities that do not rely on arrest and incarceration, and re-establishing rights and access for those formerly incarcerated or newly criminalized. The Leadership Circle's theory of change emphasizes shared authority among donors and community organizers, many of whom have lived experience with incarceration, to drive systemic change. The program prioritizes several key areas. This includes building alternatives to traditional carceral systems, investing in approaches that end mass criminalization, creating policies to reform and dismantle repressive legal systems, and uplifting the leadership and experience of those affected by the criminal legal system. Other focuses include re-establishing rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, promoting transformative and restorative justice, and supporting culturally appropriate healing programs connected to the criminal justice movement. CJI also has specific funding preferences for organizations led by formerly incarcerated individuals, groups operating in difficult political environments, those developing new leaders from marginalized backgrounds, and work addressing discrimination against incarcerated or detained people, particularly in the South, Indian country, and other rural areas. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the development of community-based interventions, changes in policies and institutions (like parole and probation), and a demonstrable commitment to systems change through organizing. The program seeks to empower new leaders, particularly from marginalized communities, and foster innovative collaborations among diverse organizations. While specific quantitative metrics are not provided in the description, the emphasis on "movement-building organizing" and "achieving systems change" suggests that the success will be measured by the demonstrable impact on criminal legal system reform and the empowerment of affected communities. CJI is particularly committed to supporting smaller, emerging organizations with budgets of $1 million or less, indicating a focus on grassroots impact and capacity building.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations and governments to develop and implement trauma-informed services for children affected by violence in their homes, schools, and communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that help underrepresented communities in Massachusetts access training and career pathways in the clean energy sector, addressing systemic barriers and workforce gaps.

This program provides funding to support comprehensive, victim-centered responses to sexual assault in California, focusing on survivor safety, confidential services, and outreach at colleges and universities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local public agencies in California to enforce laws against the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments in Virginia for establishing new school safety personnel positions aimed at enhancing student and staff safety in public schools.

This fellowship provides early-career professionals in the Greater Philadelphia area with funding and support to work on projects that drive systemic change in youth justice, child welfare, education, and health.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions in Northeast Florida to support impactful community programs and projects that address local needs.

This program provides financial support for initiatives that help underrepresented college students and graduates prepare for law school and succeed in the legal profession.

This grant provides financial support to small community-based organizations in Maine that address urgent needs and promote social equity, particularly for under-resourced populations and environmental well-being.

This funding opportunity is designed to help local police and sheriff's departments in California establish or improve specialized units that provide immediate support to victims of domestic violence and their children.