Best Restorative Justice Grants in Florida

Nonprofit, community-based rural organizations focused on grassroots criminal justice system reform and related social, economic, or environmental justice work in Florida and other Southeastern states can apply for the Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle. Southern Partners Fund offers general or project support, with budget-based restrictions and a required site visit or interview for new applicants.

Organizations conducting research or policy projects on U.S. criminal justice system reform can apply for support, including work relevant to Florida. Grants from Smith Richardson Foundation help criminal justice and restorative justice initiatives evaluate policies, explore cost-effective approaches, and inform public debates on sentencing, incarceration, and public safety strategies nationwide.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Florida running neuroscience-related mental health, recovery, or criminal justice system programs can seek support to improve access to treatment and services. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine help fund early intervention, crisis response, stigma reduction, and mental health–criminal justice education that address disparities and strengthen frontline health workforces.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience and mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving support to improve access to treatment, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline workforces. Florida organizations working on criminal justice and mental health intersections, including crisis intervention or stigma reduction, may be eligible if they address Alzheimer’s, depression, schizophrenia, or related conditions.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. criminal justice, economic mobility, or systemic inequality can seek US $35,000 - US $50,000 in one-year project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on criminal justice system reform and related areas, this program may benefit Florida-based scholars studying restorative justice or legal system disparities.

Researchers with doctorates studying behavioral science, decision making, and criminal justice system reform can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants of up to US $200,000. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, the foundation supports high-level, peer-reviewed projects that may inform restorative justice efforts in Florida and across the U.S.

Researchers and research institutions studying U.S. criminal justice policies can apply for Arnold Ventures’ causal research grants, with awards up to US $500,000. Focused on community safety and system reform, projects in Florida and beyond that use strong causal designs and real-world behavioral outcomes may support restorative justice and related reforms.

Grants from the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help Florida community and restorative justice practitioners fund small projects that advance criminal justice system reform. NACRJ members across the U.S., including those in Florida, can request up to US $500 twice a year for initiatives that promote and practice restorative justice.

Organizations and individuals working on restorative justice and criminal justice reform, including those in Florida, can apply for the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice’s Impact Grant; awards up to US $3,000 for larger-scale initiatives, capacity-building, and innovative projects. Applicants must be NACRJ members and cannot have received a 2024 grant to apply in 2025.

Students pursuing criminal justice or first responder studies connected to Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota can receive scholarship support for U.S.-based 2- or 4-year programs. CommunityGiving’s Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship awards US $2,000 and may benefit those interested in restorative justice or broader criminal justice system reform, including Florida-focused careers.

Researchers studying how to improve the use of research evidence in criminal justice and related youth systems in Florida can apply for William T Grant Foundation’s Officers’ Research Grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $50,000. Projects must benefit young people ages 5–25 in the U.S. and may be stand-alone or part of larger studies.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing criminal justice, education, or nursing who are connected to Florida restorative justice efforts may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports study in criminal justice system reform fields. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help students with up to US $3,000 toward college costs.

Researchers and institutions conducting criminal justice system reform and public safety studies, including those relevant to restorative justice in Florida, can seek US $75,000 - US $400,000 through the Citizen Security Research Initiative. Focus areas include preventing crime and violence, countering organized crime, combating drug trafficking, and strengthening law enforcement and justice institutions.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice can receive scholarship support through the Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship, including students interested in restorative justice. Focused on criminal justice system reform, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation invites applicants, with preference for BOCES criminal justice students from Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.

Florida students pursuing forensic science or criminal justice degrees can access funding through Benton Community Foundation’s Robin V. Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund. Eligible applicants are active in sports and community service with a 3.0–3.5 GPA; support also extends to police cadet and bicycle safety programs, which may interest restorative justice-focused organizations.

Students pursuing an education in criminal justice in Florida can apply for the FOP Lodge #88 Criminal Justice Scholarship from the Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland. This scholarship supports higher education and career preparation in criminal justice, which may benefit those interested in restorative and systemic justice reform work.

High school seniors pursuing emergency services, criminal justice, fire, police, or EMS studies at any accredited college can receive scholarship support, including those interested in restorative justice careers. Noble County Community Foundation provides Florida criminal justice system reform students with US $500 toward advanced education; applicants must attend specified high schools or be homeschooled.

Eligible organizations operating drug courts in Florida and other U.S. jurisdictions can apply for Executive Office of the President funding, with awards up to US $6,000,000, to provide training and technical assistance that improves evidence-based addiction treatment. Programs addressing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and criminal justice system reform may benefit.

Individuals such as lawyers, advocates, organizers, journalists, artists, and filmmakers working on U.S. criminal justice reform, including in Florida, can apply for Soros Justice Fellowships supporting full-time reform projects. Open Society Institute provides US $100,000 - US $140,000 for 12–18 month efforts that advance systemic change, including restorative justice-focused work.

Nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations developing early-stage projects in environment, heritage conservation, or social justice in Florida and across the U.S. can receive up to US $175,000 in flexible funding to pilot transformative ideas. The J.M. Kaplan Fund provides multi-year support, convenings, and resources for initiatives including criminal justice reform and restorative justice efforts.

The Foundation for Improvement of Justice Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the civil and criminal justice systems in the U.S. Nominations are accepted year-round, with winners receiving a Paul H. Chapman Medal, $15,000, a certificate, and an expenses-paid trip to the awards banquet. This initiative aims to encourage continued innovation in justice practices. Eligibility includes unique improvements to justice systems, while future project grants and past awardees are ineligible.

The SC Ministry Foundation provides annual grants aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations aligned with the mission of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. These grants can be used for core programs, planning, and program expansion. Eligible organizations must demonstrate financial sustainability and avoid duplication of services. The application process starts with a pre-application survey, and funding decisions are typically made by June 30. Priority is given to projects in education, healthcare, and social services.

We are living in a time of intensified state violence and mass criminalization. The current political climate has doubled down on surveillance, policing, incarceration, and the criminalization of protest, migration, and mutual aid. For directly impacted communities, the trauma is relentless — and those of us committed to resistance are feeling the weight of outrage fatigue.

But we know: the antidote to outrage fatigue is movement response. The expansion of state violence and mass incarceration often forces organizations to respond quickly to unanticipated events despite lacking the necessary resources or capacity.

The Strategic Opportunities Support (SOS) Fund-CJI’s rapid-response fund-is designed to support bold, strategic, and immediate actions by grassroots organizations on the front lines of resistance. The Fund awards grants up to $7,500 and enables organizations to move quickly and collaboratively in response to emerging threats and seize opportunities to advance justice, healing, and systemic transformation.

The State Justice Institute Project Grant aims to enhance the administration of justice in state courts through innovative projects. It supports education, training, and technical assistance initiatives that demonstrate a need for improvement. Projects are evaluated based on methodology, management capabilities, and potential long-term benefits. Eligible applicants include courts and related organizations, while funds cannot cover routine court operations or salaries of court employees.

The State Justice Institute offers Technical Assistance Grants to state and local courts for expert assistance in addressing operational challenges. Grants can provide up to $75,000 over 12 months, requiring a 50% match from applicants, with 20% in cash. Eligible entities include courts and regional associations, while ineligible expenses cover salaries and travel for court employees. The selection process emphasizes critical needs, sound approaches, consultant qualifications, and budget reasonableness, aiming to enhance court operations and compliance with federal requirements.

The State Justice Institute's Curriculum Adaptation & Training Grant aims to empower courts and national associations to tailor educational programs to local needs. With funding up to $40,000 for 12 months, it encourages innovative training for judges and court personnel. Applicants must provide a 50% match, including at least 20% in cash. Selection criteria focus on project goals, the necessity of funding, and the effective integration of new curricula into existing court systems, ensuring impactful judicial education.

The Strategic Initiatives Grants (SIG) program, managed by the State Justice Institute (SJI), offers flexible funding to tackle pressing national court issues. This innovative initiative encourages collaboration between SJI and its grantees to develop effective solutions for state courts across the U.S. Applicants are urged to reach out to SJI for guidance on their concept papers, ensuring a tailored approach to addressing critical judicial challenges.