Best Restorative Justice Grants in Montana

Montana criminal justice reform and community organizing groups can access funding through Social Justice Fund Northwest to challenge carceral systems, advance alternative justice solutions, or pursue systemic reform. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and tribal governments across its five-state region, with a preference for BIPOC-led, smaller-budget organizations; awards are US $25,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and governmental entities serving rural communities in Montana can seek funding for human and social services, including programs for people involved in the criminal justice system. Steele-Reese Foundation supports locally grounded projects that help low-income and under-represented residents, which may include restorative or community-based justice initiatives in rural areas.

Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience-related mental health, recovery, or criminal justice programs can apply for funding to improve access to treatment and services. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine support initiatives in areas like schizophrenia, major depression, Alzheimer’s, crisis intervention, and mental health–criminal justice education, with emphasis on measurable outcomes and reducing health disparities.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience-related mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving: Neuroscience support to improve access, equity, and frontline care. Montana organizations working on criminal justice system reform, crisis intervention, or stigma reduction around conditions like schizophrenia, depression, or Alzheimer’s may be eligible for program-focused, measurable initiatives.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, inequality, or criminal justice system reform may be eligible for US $35,000 - US $50,000 in one-year project funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on social science research, this program can support Montana scholars examining restorative justice, legal system disparities, or related systemic barriers.

With a mission to advance social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides Montana researchers and other U.S.-based scholars with up to US $200,000 for behavioral science and decision-making studies in contexts like policing, criminal justice, housing, employment, and immigration. Doctorate-level PIs and co-PIs studying restorative or criminal justice system reform may be competitive applicants.

Researchers proposing causal studies on community safety and the criminal justice system in the U.S., including Montana, can apply for up to US $500,000 from Arnold Ventures. Focused on rigorous designs and real-world outcomes, this opportunity may benefit projects examining restorative or reform-oriented criminal justice policies with clear paths to policy adoption.

Montana organizations and individuals engaged in restorative or community justice projects can apply for mini-grants up to US $500 to support meaningful initiatives. Grants from National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help members across the U.S. undertake projects advancing community and restorative justice practice, visibility, and networking opportunities.

Organizations and individuals advancing community and restorative justice in Montana 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 based in the U.S., and recent 2024 grantees must skip the 2025 cycle.

Students pursuing criminal justice or first responder studies can receive scholarship support from CommunityGiving for programs at U.S. community colleges or universities. Eligible applicants are high school seniors, college, or non-traditional students from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota with a 2.5+ GPA; this may benefit those interested in restorative justice careers beyond Montana.

Researchers studying how to improve the use of research evidence in U.S. youth-serving systems can apply for William T Grant Foundation’s Officers’ Research Grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $50,000. Projects focused on criminal justice system reform or restorative justice affecting ages 5–25, including work in Montana, may be competitive.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing criminal justice, education, or nursing who are connected to Montana restorative justice interests may be eligible for scholarship support. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help students from specific Westfield, MA schools with up to US $3,000 toward college costs, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Organizations and research institutions working on criminal justice system reform and public safety can seek US $75,000 - US $400,000 for rigorous studies and pilots through the Citizen Security Research Initiative. Focused on citizen security, Innovations for Poverty Action invites projects, including those in Montana, that evaluate interventions, strengthen justice systems, and address crime and violence.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice can receive scholarship support through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation. Focused on higher education in criminal justice, this award prefers students in BOCES criminal justice programs and may benefit those interested in restorative justice-related careers beyond Montana.

Montana students pursuing higher education in forensic science or criminal justice can access funding through the Robin V. Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered by Benton Community Foundation. Eligible applicants are active in sports and community service with a 3.0–3.5 GPA; the renewable award also supports police cadet and bicycle safety programs.

Students pursuing an education in criminal justice in Montana can apply for the FOP Lodge #88 Criminal Justice Scholarship from Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland, supporting higher education in this field. This opportunity may benefit those focused on criminal justice system reform or restorative justice-related studies and careers.

Montana students interested in criminal justice system reform and related emergency services can access scholarship support through the Noble County Community Foundation. The Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund offers US $500 for high school seniors pursuing accredited postsecondary study in criminal justice, fire, police, or EMS, which may benefit those focused on restorative justice careers.

Organizations conducting research or policy projects on criminal justice system reform, education policy, or economic and fiscal policy in Montana can apply for support from the Smith Richardson Foundation. Grants from Smith Richardson Foundation help U.S. public policy organizations evaluate existing policies and develop new ideas that inform public debates and decision-makers nationwide.

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

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.

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.