State Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

This funding opportunity is designed to help Indiana counties and organizations create plans for community-based programs that divert youth from the juvenile justice system through restorative and collaborative approaches.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is offering its Community Forestry Grant Program, a state-funded initiative designed to support community-based tree planting for derecho recovery. This program is rooted in the Iowa Legislature's appropriation of state infrastructure funds, specifically earmarked for urban and community forestry services. The core mission of this grant program aligns with enhancing Iowa's natural environment and aiding in the recovery of communities affected by derecho events through strategic tree planting on public lands. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are state and local government entities, schools, volunteer organizations, and service organizations actively involved with local urban and community forest services. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate the purchase and planting of trees on publicly owned lands across Iowa, contributing to environmental restoration and community resilience following natural disasters. Eligible planting areas include, but are not limited to, street right-of-ways, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries, and trails, ensuring broad community access to the benefits of reforestation. Grant priorities emphasize several key areas to maximize impact and ensure effective resource allocation. Priority will be given to projects demonstrating clear need stemming from derecho impact, cost-effectiveness through a $1 for $1 cash match, robust community involvement, alignment with Tree City/Campus/Line USA designation, and a focus on species/genera diversity and environmental impact. These priorities reflect a strategic approach to fostering sustainable urban and community forests, promoting ecological health, and encouraging local engagement in environmental stewardship. The expected outcomes of the Community Forestry Grant Program include the successful planting of a diverse range of suitable trees across publicly owned lands in Iowa. Measurable results will be tied to the number of trees planted, the extent of community involvement, and the degree to which projects address the specified priorities, particularly in derecho-affected and EAB Reforestation eligible counties. The program's strategic priorities are centered on recovery, environmental enhancement, and community engagement, working towards a theory of change where targeted tree planting leads to stronger, more resilient communities and improved ecological well-being throughout the state. The grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, are specifically for the purchase and planting of trees, with special requests for other landscape plantings requiring detailed justification.

The Sharks Foundation's Community Assist Grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance the lives of youth and families in the community. This is achieved through a focus on education, health and safety, and character development. The grant is designed to support non-profit organizations that are dedicated to these areas, providing financial assistance ranging from $10,000 to $300,000. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are youth and families, with a special emphasis on at-risk and underrepresented populations within the Bay Area, specifically San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties, including Gilroy. The foundation's impact goals are to close opportunity gaps, build future leaders, drive innovation, provide educational resources to underserved communities, and create pathways to employment and career readiness. This is supported by funding programs that directly benefit youth or youth and their families. The grant program has specific monthly focal areas and giving campaigns, which include September for Latinx and Hispanic Heritage, October for Healthy Living, November for Hockey Fights Cancer, December for Holiday Assist, January for Education Equity, February for Celebration of Black History, March for Equality, April for Environmental Awareness, May for Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, and June for Pride. These campaigns highlight the foundation's diverse priorities and its commitment to fostering inclusive communities and positive social change. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the direct benefit of grant funding to youth and families, with 100% of the funds used for their exclusive benefit and at least 51% directly benefiting those in the Bay Area. Funding must be applied to specific programming elements and used by July 1, 2025. The foundation’s strategic priorities are evident in its focus on supporting organizations that address critical community needs and align with its monthly campaigns, thereby driving its theory of change through targeted, impactful investments in youth and family development.

The Michigan Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) offers the Environmental Justice (EJ) Impact Grant program. This program is designed to reduce environmental health burdens and impacts within Michigan’s Environmental Justice communities. The core mission of this grant aligns with the broader goal of promoting environmental equity and public health, particularly in areas disproportionately affected by environmental issues. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are residents within Michigan’s Environmental Justice communities. The overarching impact goal is to positively affect these residents by funding place-based and equity-focused projects. This direct focus on communities facing environmental injustice ensures that the grant addresses critical needs where they are most prevalent, aiming for tangible improvements in their living environments and health outcomes. The program prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include community improvement projects aimed at enhancing public health, initiating or expanding monitoring of background pollution levels in air, water, or soil (with air monitoring equipment classified as air quality sensors and not for regulatory use), new or improved equipment or management techniques to improve indoor air quality in schools, and the remediation/redevelopment of contaminated or blighted sites. These priorities reflect a comprehensive approach to environmental justice, addressing both pollution and its direct impacts on community well-being. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in public health through community projects, enhanced understanding of pollution levels via monitoring, better indoor air quality in schools, and the revitalization of environmentally degraded areas. The program has a total of $20,000,000 available, with a maximum of $500,000 per applicant. This substantial funding allows for significant, impactful projects. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes, community-based non-profit organizations (including grassroots and frontline organizations), schools, institutions of higher education, and local governments, reflecting a strategic approach to engage diverse stakeholders in achieving environmental justice.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to law schools and legal advocacy organizations in Ohio to help individuals with exceptional rehabilitation stories navigate the expedited pardon process and secure clemency.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve public health and the environment in communities disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental issues across Colorado.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to projects that expand electric vehicle charging access for residents of multi-family housing, particularly in disadvantaged or low-income communities, promoting EV adoption and reliable charging solutions.

This program provides financial support to Vermont's agricultural fairs and field days, helping them with infrastructure projects and operational costs to promote local agriculture and community engagement.

The Proposition 47 Request for Proposals (RFP), announced by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), aims to provide approximately $152 million in grant funding over a period from October 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028. This program aligns with the BSCC's mission to enhance public safety and criminal justice in California by focusing on rehabilitation and community-based solutions, rather than solely incarceration. The grant is designed to support mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and diversion programs for individuals within the criminal justice system. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are people in the criminal justice system in California who require mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and/or diversion programs. Eligible applicants are public agencies located within the State of California, including counties, cities, Indian reservations or Rancherias, school districts, municipal corporations, and various other public entities. The overarching impact goal is to reduce recidivism, improve public health outcomes, and foster safer communities by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. The program prioritizes the provision of mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and diversion programs. Additionally, applicants are strongly encouraged to offer supplemental housing-related services and other community-based supportive services. These supportive services include job skills training, case management, and civil legal services, which are critical for successful reintegration into society and long-term stability. The grant structure includes two categories: a Small Scope Category, offering up to $2 million per project with $60.8 million available in total, and a Large Scope Category, providing between $2 million and $8 million per project, with $91.2 million in total funds available. The expected outcomes include a measurable increase in access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, a reduction in the number of individuals entering or re-entering the criminal justice system, and improved rates of employment and stable housing for program participants. The BSCC's strategic priorities, reflected in this RFP, emphasize evidence-based practices and community-driven solutions. The underlying theory of change posits that by investing in comprehensive services that address the social and economic determinants of criminal behavior, individuals can achieve sustained recovery and successful community reintegration, thereby leading to a more just and equitable society.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in New York State to establish a centralized Training Center that enhances the skills and capacity of civil legal service providers, ensuring better access to legal assistance for low-income residents.

This funding opportunity provides local law enforcement agencies with financial support to establish programs for investigating and cleaning up illegal dump sites, promoting environmental sustainability and community health.

This program provides a no-cost, 20-week development opportunity for small business owners in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island to receive mentorship and resources to grow their businesses and positively impact their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that will assist under-resourced communities in California with securing funding and implementing projects for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.

Grant Opportunity Announcement: Victim Services Support Program Overview: The Iowa Attorney General’s Victim Assistance Section is announcing a competitive grant opportunity aimed at providing comprehensive sexual assault services for a designated portion of southeast Iowa. Following the closure of the Rape Victim Advocacy Program at the University of Iowa, the Attorney General’s Office seeks qualified applicants to serve sexual assault victims in the following Iowa counties: Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Van Buren, and Washington. These counties fall within Iowa’s victim services region 6. Funding Details: Total Funding Available: Up to $401,536 annually Funding Source: Combination of federal victim services funding and state of Iowa victim services funding Grant Cycle: October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026 Application Process: Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 Applicants must be registered in Iowa Grants for Victim Services (Iowa GVS). Instructions for registration can be found here. Organizations not already registered in Iowa GVS should click the "New User? Register Here!" link and follow the prompts. Interested parties should download the request for proposals and adhere to the provided instructions. Contact Information: For inquiries or assistance, please contact Lori Miller, VSS Administrator, at 1-515-725-4130 or [email protected].

The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for Fiscal Year 2025 to support local law enforcement efforts in combating motor vehicle theft, burglary from motor vehicles, and fraud-related motor vehicle crimes. This grant program is designed to provide funding to Texas law enforcement agencies to enhance their capabilities in addressing these specific crime issues. The funding is available for the operation of programs that meet the requirements and conditions outlined in the RFA, which is published in the Texas Register to ensure compliance with legal requirements. The grant aims to continue supporting programs that have demonstrated positive performance in FY2024, with possible renewal for FY2025 based on availability of funds and successful past performance.

This grant provides funding to Delaware-based nonprofit organizations and government entities for community-focused arts projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Arts in Society Grant, funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), aims to leverage the arts to address civic and social challenges within Colorado communities. This program aligns with a broader mission of fostering community development and social justice through creative engagement, recognizing the arts as a powerful tool for societal change and problem-solving. The grant offers both financial and organizational support, indicating a commitment to not only fund projects but also to nurture the growth and impact of participating artists and organizations. The target beneficiaries for this grant are broad, encompassing Colorado artists, activists, nonprofit organizations, universities and schools, government agencies, human service groups, neighborhood organizations, and healthcare organizations. The program particularly encourages applications from individual artists and non-arts organizations, emphasizing inclusivity and a cross-sector approach. The impact goals are centered on empowering these diverse groups to collaborate on projects where artists, organizations, and a target community work together to address specific social issues, ultimately leading to positive community transformation. The program's priorities and focuses include fostering collaboration, building support networks, and illustrating the impact of arts in cross-sector projects. Grantees are expected to attend learning community meetings to build support and share resources, underscoring a strategic priority of community building and knowledge exchange among participants. Another key focus is the promotion of grantee work through various marketing channels, highlighting the program's commitment to showcasing successful initiatives and advocating for the value of arts in society. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful completion of projects within 24 months, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrably engage a social issue and involve collaborative efforts. The mini-documentary highlighting grantee work and participation in evaluation processes are crucial mechanisms for measuring and illustrating the impacts of the arts in these cross-sector endeavors. This suggests a strategic priority of OEDIT to document and disseminate the effectiveness of arts-based solutions to civic and social challenges, thereby validating and expanding the theory of change that art can be a catalyst for tangible societal improvement.

This grant is designed to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services within the State of Maryland. It aims to support state and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiner's offices by providing funds to alleviate bottlenecks and improve the overall efficiency of forensic science services, including laboratory analysis and crime scene examination. The grant supports Maryland's law enforcement goals of disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations involved in guns, gangs, drugs, and human trafficking.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois working to improve broadband access, digital literacy, and inclusion for underserved communities, helping bridge the digital divide and promote economic development.

This program provides funding to support the establishment and operation of specialized court systems in Pennsylvania that focus on reducing impaired driving through judicial training and dedicated probation officers.