Best Crime Grants

The Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in Maryland supports vital criminal justice initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety. It provides essential funding to address gaps in services related to violent crime, victim assistance, law enforcement, and rehabilitation. Managed by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, this grant encourages public input on its draft application, fostering community involvement in shaping effective crime prevention strategies.

The Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Program offers essential funding to nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, to enhance security against potential hate crimes. This initiative, aligned with the goals of the Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, aims to foster collaboration between law enforcement and community services. The grant supports various categories, including personnel, equipment, and operating expenses, ensuring targeted facilities receive necessary protection and resources.

The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, provides tax credits to incentivize donations for community projects. Aimed at enhancing community service, education, and revitalization, NAP offers up to $16 million in credits, with a maximum of $500,000 per project. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and businesses, while donors can receive credits up to 70% for their contributions. Attend the virtual workshop on April 1, 2025, to learn more about applying.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program provides vital federal funding to support criminal justice initiatives in North Carolina. It addresses law enforcement, courts, and community programs, promoting equitable public safety solutions. Established by the Governor's Crime Commission, the program adapts to evolving needs, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to enhance safety for over 10 million residents. This initiative empowers local agencies to implement innovative strategies in law enforcement, mental health, and crisis intervention.

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative in Massachusetts focuses on combating gang violence through a collaborative approach involving strategic research and support from the Statewide Research Partner. This initiative aligns with the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model, providing funding and resources to local sites to enhance prevention, intervention, and law enforcement strategies. The program aims to promote community safety by addressing the root causes of gang-related issues and fostering partnerships among various stakeholders.

The Transition Age Youth Advocacy Grant aims to empower young individuals aged 16-25, particularly those with serious mental health challenges, to advocate for their needs within California's behavioral health system. By fostering leadership and engagement, this initiative seeks to involve these youth in meaningful advocacy efforts that address issues like homelessness and involvement in justice systems. The goal is to create a supportive environment that reflects their realities and promotes their agency.

The 125 Pretrial Success Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, aims to provide case management for eligible participants charged with a criminal offense and granted pretrial release. This program engages court stakeholders to identify participants for voluntary services that assess and link them to necessary resources. With its focus on ongoing communication and collaboration, the initiative strives to support individuals in navigating their legal challenges and achieving self-sufficiency.

Nebraska Crime Commission

The Governor's Crime Control Commission was created in 1967 by Executive Order. The name was later changed to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice with legislation enacted in 1969 to establish the Crime Commission as an agency of state government.

The Crime Commission was established to develop comprehensive plans and coordinate activities related to the improvement of criminal justice administration among state and local agencies. Since its inception, additional statutory responsibilities have been assigned to the Crime Commission, which now serves as an umbrella agency for many criminal and juvenile justice programs. The majority of the Crime Commission's responsibilities are set forth in Nebraska Revised Statutes 81-1415 to 81-1429.02.

Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program (JS): Truancy Prevention and Intervention Only

Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute §43-2406, the Nebraska Crime Commission shall award Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program (Juvenile Services) grants on a competitive basis to eligible applicants based upon criteria determined by the Commission. Grants provided under the Commission Grant Program may be used for developing programs under the Juvenile Services Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2401 to 43-2412). At this time, Juvenile services grant funds under this opportunity will be targeted only to programs addressing truancy within their community.

All programs funded through Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program that serve youth shall report individual-level data through the Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS).

Funding Purpose

Funds received through the Juvenile Services Grant Program shall be used exclusively to assist the recipient in the implementation and operation of programs or the provision of for truancy prevention and intervention (Kindergarten – Twelfth Grade). These programs are defined as programs aimed at steering youth with excessive absences in an effort to prevent system involvement.

Programs or services not developed for the purpose of serving the above-described population of youth are not eligible for funding under this grant opportunity, regardless of if previously funded. Applications not clearly identifying the population of youth served by the proposed program and how they meet the funding requirement will not be awarded funding.

Treatment Alternative Program

Overview

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to implement a Treatment Alternative Program for people in the criminal justice system with substance use concerns. This program is designed to enhance community safety by providing focused treatment interventions for participants as a voluntary alternative to conviction while fostering recovery and accountability. It targets the underlying causes or unmet needs that lead to criminal justice system involvement.

Program requirements

A Treatment Alternative Program must follow all the standards in Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 66. The standards include identifying and providing resources for people in the criminal justice system eligible for services under Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 66.06 that meet the individual's needs specific to their offense and risk level while minimizing risk of re-arrest.

A majority of granted funding (at least 75%) must be used to provide treatment services as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 46.65.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation

Arkansas Access to Justice exists to uphold a basic but essential principle: Arkansans deserve access to the legal help they need, no matter their income or background.

We work alongside partners, policymakers, courts, and communities to make the civil legal system more fair and accessible. Whether it’s through improving public policies, strengthening legal aid resources, supporting pro bono programs, or building tools for self-represented litigants, we are committed to bridging the divide between those who can afford legal help and those who cannot.

Administration of Justice Grants

Grants in this category support Specific Projects that advance systemic improvements to Arkansas’s civil justice system and promote meaningful, statewide access to justice. Priority will be given to initiatives that generate data, research, analysis, or tested models intended to inform changes to court rules, statutes, policies, or administrative practices affecting access to civil justice.

• Empirical studies or evaluations examining the impact of court rules or practices on case outcomes, efficiency, or fairness;
• Pilot projects testing innovative court-based or cross-sector approaches—such as simplified procedures, alternative service models, remote participation, or triage systems—that are designed to produce findings scalable at a statewide level;
• Development of model rules, forms, or administrative policies intended to reduce unnecessary complexity, improve consistency across jurisdictions, or increase usability for self-represented litigants.

Projects in this category must demonstrate the potential for statewide impact and must produce concrete outputs, such as written reports, data sets, evaluative findings, model rules or policies, or formal recommendations for reform. Examples of specific administration of justice projects are:

• A pilot introducing plain-language pleadings and guided forms in debt collection cases, measuring effects on default rates and case resolution to inform statewide adoption.
• A project to research and develop a standardized framework for secure online publication of warning orders.
• A project that implements court date text reminders and collects data on the text reminders’ impact on failure to appear rates.

Enhance your organization’s capacity with AmeriCorps Maryland funding opportunities

AmeriCorps is the largest funder of national service in the United States, connecting organizations, public agencies, and institutions of higher education with individuals willing to dedicate their time and efforts to addressing critical needs across the state. AmeriCorps Maryland offers funding to support the development and operation of programs that engage individuals in direct service.

To qualify for funding through an operational grant, AmeriCorps Maryland programs must support the equivalent of 20 full-time AmeriCorps Members in their first year of operation. The amount of the grant award is based on the number of AmeriCorps Members serving with the organization. Organizations launching new programs may apply for planning grant opportunities. These grants do not include AmeriCorps Members but enable organizations to lay the foundation for a successful AmeriCorps operational program.

AmeriCorps Maryland Workforce Development Planning Grants

Planning Grants provide up to $240,000 in funding for the 6-month planning period beginning July 15, 2026. Applicants will propose developing a new AmeriCorps program that includes a defined, Member-focused career pathway that intentionally embeds workforce attributes into a service term.  

Planning Grants support program development and capacity-building activities. They do not fund AmeriCorps member positions during the planning year.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages individuals in meaningful service to strengthen communities. Through AmeriCorps Maryland Formula Operational Grants, organizations may place full- or part-time AmeriCorps members in communities across Maryland to address critical local needs.

The Hospital Response Team Grant Program (HRT) provides essential funding from the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to support coordinated, victim-centered responses for sexual assault survivors. This program enhances collaboration among hospitals, law enforcement, and mental health providers, ensuring comprehensive care and advocacy for victims during medical examinations and beyond. By fostering partnerships, the HRT Grant aims to improve victim safety, access to services, and the overall effectiveness of multidisciplinary response systems in Utah.

STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

MBCC is soliciting proposals for STOP (Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to be funded by the Office on Violence Against Women. The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is a component of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Created in 1995, OVW implements the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation and provides national leadership on issues of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Since its inception, OVW has supported a multifaceted approach to responding to these crimes through implementation of grant programs authorized by VAWA. By forging state, local and tribal partnerships among police, prosecutors, judges, victim advocates, health care providers, faith leaders, organizations that serve culturally specific and underserved communities, and others, OVW grants help provide victims, across their life span, with the protection and services they need to pursue safe and healthy lives, while improving communities’ capacity to provide justice for victims and hold offenders accountable.

The application process is competitive. Previous funding does not guarantee an award during this funding cycle. Approximately $800,000 will be available during the project period, depending upon availability of federal funds. Because federal funds are not always available immediately following the award date, applicants should prepare for this contingency.

Matching contributions of 25% (cash or in-kind) of the total cost of the STOP VAWA project (federal funds plus local match) are required and must be derived from non-federal sources. All funds designated as match are restricted to the same uses as the federal funds and must be expended within the grant period. Federally Recognized Tribes and victim services providers are not required to provide match.

ATTENTION: This funding opportunity is for grant funding that the Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC) administers that originates from the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ). To continue program activities designed to maintain public safety services, MBCC has determined that it will proceed with this funding opportunity. MBCC anticipates that new grant guidance may be issued in 2026 to reflect USDOJ’s revised policies and priorities. New USDOJ guidance could change the terms and conditions and the availability of funding for any grants that are executed from this funding opportunity. MBCC will share new grant conditions, guidance, and requirements with all grantees as they become available. In some instances, executed grant awards may be revised or cancelled.

2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG)

OCJS and JAG

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and products, develops training, resources, and best practices for criminal justice professionals and communities. OCJS has been designated by Governor Mike DeWine to administer the FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant Program.

Proposed to streamline justice funding and grant administration, the JAG Program allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. JAG blends the previous Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant programs so that agencies can prioritize their funding needs and choose where to place justice funds.

In 2024, OCJS implemented its strategic plan (PDF). The action items included identifying priority areas for funding and encouraging projects to use evidence-based practices in their funded programs. The “Goals, Priorities and Requirements” section of this document outlines these priorities, and references evidence-based practices for OCJS funding areas. Fiscal year 2026 applicants must continue to follow these most recent guidelines.

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Created in 1983, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) is a state agency dedicated to improving the administration of criminal justice. ICJIA brings together key leaders from the justice system and the public to identify critical issues faced by the criminal justice system in Illinois and to propose and evaluate policies, programs, and legislation that address those issues. The agency also works to ensure the criminal justice system in Illinois is efficient, effective, and equitable.

In the area of grants administration, ICJIA: 1. Implements and funds criminal justice and violence prevention programs under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI), Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Program, and other state and federal grant programs. 2. Monitors program activity, ensures accountability, and provides technical assistance to grantees.

Institute to Innovate (i2i) Capacity Building and Violence Prevention Grant Program

The Institute to Innovate (i2i) program invests in organizations working to prevent violence and improve public safety throughout Illinois. The program recognizes that effective violence prevention depends on both strong community-based services and the organizational infrastructure needed to support those services. Applicants must select one of the following project pathways:

• Capacity Building Activities: Projects that strengthen organizational leadership, governance, financial management, workforce, technology, policies, evaluation practices, or other internal systems.
• Violence Prevention Activities: Projects that provide or expand eligible community-based violence prevention services.
• Combined Capacity Building and Violence Prevention Activities: Projects that strengthen organizational systems while also providing, expanding, or improving violence prevention services.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families was established to bring together programs to better serve children, youth, and families. 

RFP to Promote Restorative Practice Programs

The department, through its Office of Restorative Practice Division, is seeking to promote initiatives statewide that create new restorative practice programs or have current programs in place. 

The activities funded through this RFP are intended to benefit individuals (youth and adults) and communities impacted by harm, including those who have caused harm, those who have been harmed, their families, and the broader communities connected to them. This includes work across a range of systems, including pretrial diversion programs, delinquency and criminal justice, child welfare, education, and community violence prevention. 

Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Program Grants

The goal and objective of Track 1:

NIBRS Readiness Grants is to increase the number of local law enforcement agencies submitting data to the Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Department of Justice through NIBRS, which is the successor federal crime data reporting system to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) System. Despite recent investments to support local law enforcement agencies’ transition from UCR, Pennsylvania’s compliance rate with reporting data through NIBRS remains among the lowest of all states. With the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) stating that all agencies must be NIBRS compliant in reporting no later than January 1, 2028, this solicitation seeks to offset the costs of some agencies seeking to meet that standard and increase Pennsylvania’s statewide NIBRS compliance rates.

The goal and objective of Track 2:

Implementation Grants is to afford local law enforcement agencies that are already NIBRS-compliant the opportunity to purchase technology, equipment, training, and other allowable activities to improve clearances rates of homicides and other violent crimes, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. NIBRS-compliant agencies will be expected to track measurable outcomes to show improvement in clearance rates related to one or more of these violent offenses.

Funding Availability:

A total of $3,425,000 in FY2026-27 State VICTIM Act funding is being announced to support this initiative.1

Under Track 1: NIBRS Readiness Grants, PCCD expects to fund approximately 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $50,000 over the 18-month project period. No less than $1,000,000 will be used to assist local law enforcement agencies who are not yet NIBRS compliant in achieving compliance (i.e., identified by the Pennsylvania State Police at the end of the project as a NIBRS reporting agency). Applicants that fail to achieve this standard by the final close-out report may be asked to return funding. Law enforcement agencies that have not received prior funding from PCCD for NIBRS compliance will be considered more favorably.

Under Track 2: Implementation Grants, PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to exceed $500,000 over the 18-month project period.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance: Prosecution grant, offered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance the skills of Pennsylvania prosecutors in addressing domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence. This initiative provides essential training and technical assistance to various stakeholders, ensuring a coordinated response to these critical issues. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the program seeks to improve overall community safety and support for victims.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance grant aims to enhance knowledge of domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence in Pennsylvania. Funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, it supports non-profit and governmental organizations to develop statewide training programs for victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors. The initiative includes the implementation of the Maryland Model of Lethality Assessment Program and requires quarterly reporting through Egrants.

The STOP Statewide Training and Technical Assistance: Sexual Assault Project, funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance the understanding of sexual assault within Pennsylvania. This initiative targets victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors, ensuring they receive comprehensive training and technical support. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the project seeks to improve responses to sexual violence and ultimately support victims more effectively. Reports are required quarterly through Egrants.

The Federal STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aims to enhance community responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. By fostering collaboration among law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services, this program ensures a comprehensive approach to address these issues. With a focus on effective strategies and accountability for offenders, the grant encourages innovative solutions to protect and support victims, ultimately aiming to improve safety across communities in Pennsylvania.

The BJA FY 2026 National Center for Veterans Justice aims to enhance support for veterans in the criminal justice system. By providing specialized training and resources to law enforcement and service providers, the center will address critical gaps in veteran identification and coordination among agencies. This initiative seeks to improve outcomes for veterans experiencing issues like PTSD and military sexual trauma, ultimately strengthening public safety and ensuring effective responses to their unique needs.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs aims to provide crucial mentoring services to at-risk youth, helping them avoid delinquency and victimization. This funding opportunity emphasizes the importance of one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring approaches. The program aligns with the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to public safety and juvenile justice reform, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and fostering positive youth development.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program aims to enhance the technological investigative capacity of ICAC task forces nationwide. Through this funding opportunity, the program will support the development and refinement of investigative tools and methods to combat child sexual abuse material, exploitation, and trafficking. The deadline for application submission is November 5, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these critical issues.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Victims of Child Abuse Act Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the skills of child abuse professionals. This initiative will promote coordinated investigations and improve intervention strategies for child abuse victims. By providing essential training on effective interviewing, investigative techniques, and interagency collaboration, the program seeks to elevate the quality of care and support available to affected children and families. Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

The BJA FY 2026 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program aims to support community organizations and tribal governments in providing essential mentoring and transitional services for individuals returning from correctional facilities. This initiative targets those assessed as moderate to high risk for recidivism, addressing their needs both pre-and post-release. By fostering successful reintegration into society, the program contributes to public safety and reduces recidivism rates, aligning with the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The BJA FY 2026 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) aims to enhance the capacity of grantees through dedicated training. It addresses critical operational issues related to overdose responses, targeting illicit opioids and stimulants. The program underscores the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to public safety, law enforcement support, and the fight against substance misuse. Applications are due by November 9, 2026.