Best Grants for Criminal Justice in Pennsylvania

County justice agencies running probation-based treatment and supervision programs in Pennsylvania can seek funding to support restrictive conditions of county probation. Grants from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency help Pennsylvania criminal justice entities divert individuals with substance use or mental health disorders from jail or prison, reduce recidivism, and enhance community safety, with awards up to US $4,130,000.

County governments in Pennsylvania that operate adult probation and parole departments can apply for US $9,875 - US $2,677,554 to offset supervision and staffing costs. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency provides these grants to support county adult probation services and collect data to assess program effectiveness and criminal justice system practices.

Grants from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency help Pennsylvania criminal justice and behavioral health agencies expand evidence-based supports for justice-involved people with substance use disorders, including opioid and stimulant use. Counties can apply for up to US $500,000 to improve cross-system coordination from law enforcement contact through reentry and supervision.

Criminal justice and gun violence policy organizations in Pennsylvania can access funding through the Joyce Foundation for research, advocacy, and systems-change work. Grants support projects that reduce gun violence, address racial disparities in the justice system, and advance community-based violence intervention, with priority for efforts impacting the Great Lakes region and select initiatives in Pennsylvania.

Governmental and non-governmental organizations in Pennsylvania seeking to improve crime and justice, community safety, or crime victim services can apply for this Byrne Justice Assistance (JAG) local initiatives grant. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency funds projects that advance objectives in its 2026–2030 Strategic Framework for criminal justice and public safety.

Organizations and individuals improving criminal or civil justice systems in Pennsylvania can receive US $15,000 awards recognizing proven, innovative programs. The Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides U.S. justice reform and crime prevention leaders with national recognition, a medal, certificate, and trip to an Atlanta awards banquet for impactful work that can serve as a model for others.

Researchers and institutions conducting citizen security and criminal justice studies, including those relevant to Pennsylvania, can apply for Innovations for Poverty Action’s Citizen Security Research Initiative. Focus areas include crime and violence prevention, organized crime, drug trafficking, and strengthening law enforcement and justice systems, with awards ranging from US $75,000 - US $400,000 for rigorous evaluations and related research.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on criminal justice responses to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Pennsylvania can seek project funding to improve outcomes for people with serious mental illness. Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation supports U.S.-based programs such as pre-arrest diversion, law enforcement training, and specialized legal services that reduce incarceration harms and recidivism.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Pennsylvania running neuroscience-related programs can seek funding to improve access to care, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline mental health workforces. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine help support initiatives on mental illness, crisis intervention, and mental health and the criminal justice system, especially those addressing disparities and high unmet need.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience-related mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving: Neuroscience funding to improve access to care and health equity. Pennsylvania organizations working on criminal justice system reform, crisis intervention, or stigma reduction around mental illness may be eligible for support of recovery-focused or early intervention initiatives.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. criminal justice, inequality, or related social policy can apply for $35,000 - $50,000 in one-year project funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on economic mobility and systemic barriers, this program may support Pennsylvania scholars examining crime, legal systems, or criminal justice reform using innovative data and methods.

Researchers with doctorates studying behavioral science, decision making, and criminal justice contexts in the U.S., including Pennsylvania, can seek up to US $200,000 for social science research projects. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides support for work on policing, criminal legal systems, housing, employment, immigration, and racial/ethnic relations.

Researchers and research institutions studying community safety and criminal justice policies in the U.S., including Pennsylvania, can apply for up to US $500,000 from Arnold Ventures. Focused on rigorous causal designs using real-world behavioral outcomes, this opportunity prioritizes scalable policy-relevant studies and often favors early-career or previously unfunded investigators.

Law school graduates and early-career attorneys pursuing public interest legal work in Pennsylvania can receive up to US $67,000 to serve disadvantaged clients through nonprofit civil legal services organizations. Independence Foundation supports criminal justice system reform and related legal services via the Honorable Phyllis W. Beck Public Interest Law Fellowships in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.

Organizations and individuals working on community and restorative justice projects in Pennsylvania can apply for mini-grants up to US $500 to support practical initiatives and outreach. Grants from National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help U.S.-based criminal justice system reform efforts led by current NACRJ members, with added visibility and networking in the restorative justice community.

NACRJ member organizations and individuals in Pennsylvania working on community and restorative justice can apply for the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice’s Impact Grant, with awards up to US $3,000 for larger-scale initiatives, capacity-building, and innovative projects. Eligible criminal justice reform efforts may also gain visibility and networking within the restorative justice community.

The Pittsburgh Foundation's Equity and Social Justice Grants aim to combat mass incarceration by prioritizing community-led solutions. With a history of supporting vulnerable populations, these grants focus on civic participation and systemic policy changes. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) charities located in or serving Allegheny County. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $150,000, emphasizing the importance of leadership from those directly affected by injustice.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice can receive scholarship support through the Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship, honoring a former sheriff’s deputy. Focused on higher education in criminal justice, this award from Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation may benefit students interested in future work on crime and justice issues, including in Pennsylvania.

Robin V. Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund

Robin Virginia Jensen was born on January 9, 1986, in Corvallis, Oregon to Ronald and Deborah Jensen. She was an honor roll student at Crescent Valley High School, where she excelled in volleyball, track and field, and swimming. Robin worked as a lifeguard at Osborn Aquatic center, and in her free-time enjoyed riding her bike. Robin started taking classes at Oregon State University the summer after she graduated from Crescent Valley and was enrolled to begin full-time studies at OSU in the fall. She planned to pursue a degree in forensic science and dreamed of a career in criminal justice. She had been a cadet for three years at the Corvallis Police Department.

On the evening of August 10, 2004, Robin was riding her bicycle home from work and was struck by a car. She died the next day at age 18.

Robin’s mother, Debbie Jensen, helped organize the annual Ride of Silence in Robin’s memory. The event is a silent bike ride through Corvallis meant to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured by motorists. In 2006, Robin’s parents created this scholarship fund to further honor the memory of their daughter. The scholarship provides tuition for a Benton County high school student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at an institution of higher education with an emphasis in Forensic Science or Criminal Justice. It also benefits the City of Corvallis Police Cadet program and supports bicycle safety programs in Benton County.

This scholarship is renewable.

The Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship, offered by CommunityGiving, aims to support high school seniors, college students, and non-traditional students from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota. Eligible applicants should have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and pursue a degree in Criminal Justice or First Responder programs. This scholarship fosters leadership and community involvement, ensuring a lasting impact on public safety and local services.

Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund

For a high school senior from Central Noble, East Noble, Wawasee, West Noble or homeschool (homeschooled student must live in Noble County) who will be pursuing advanced education in emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Awards Per Year:

• 1 scholarship

Applicant High School:

• Central Noble, East Noble, Homeschooled, Wawasee, West Noble

Colleges:

• Any accredited college or university

Areas of Study:

• Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services, Emergency services involving fire, police, criminal justice and/or EMS.

Graduating seniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Vocational Technical High School, or St. Mary’s High School in Westfield pursuing degrees in criminal justice, education, or nursing can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help students offset tuition, fees, room and board, and related expenses.

What is a Community Foundation?

We are one of more than 750 similar tax-exempt public charities throughout the United States that work to make their community a better place to live. We are a local organization staffed by residents of the community and led by a board of trustees who have an in-depth knowledge of the issues that shape our County.

This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

FOP Lodge #88 Criminal Justice Scholarship

Established by the FOP Thomas Pangborn Lodge #88, this scholarship shall provide awards to deserving students pursuing an education in criminal justice.

Researchers studying how to improve the use of research evidence in criminal justice, juvenile justice, or related youth systems in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. can apply for grants of US $25,000 - US $50,000. William T Grant Foundation supports studies benefiting young people ages 5–25 and offers additional capacity-building and networking opportunities.

The Phoebus Criminal Justice Initiative Grant, provided by the Bread & Roses Community Fund, supports organizations engaged in community organizing for criminal justice reform. It aims to address pressing issues such as police accountability and racially biased sentencing. By fostering collective action among marginalized communities, the initiative empowers groups to create sustainable change within the criminal legal system. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to justice and community leadership, ensuring long-term impact and engagement.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, awarded by The J.M. Kaplan Fund, supports early-stage social innovators tackling critical issues in environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. With up to $175,000 in funding and tailored support over three years, it empowers organizations to pilot transformative solutions. The Prize fosters collaboration among awardees, providing resources and mentorship to enhance their impact. Open to both non-profit and mission-driven for-profit entities, it addresses the funding gap for innovative, high-potential projects.