Best Grants for Criminal Justice in Tennessee

Rural, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations using grassroots organizing strategies can seek funding from Southern Partners Fund to build leadership and strengthen social, economic, environmental, and criminal justice efforts in Tennessee and other Southeastern states. Focused on justice-oriented community organizing, it offers general or project support depending on organizational budget size.

Tennessee 501(c)(3) public charities working on community safety, crime prevention, or support for crime victims can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for programs in communities served by Union Pacific. Grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support safety initiatives, emergency response organizations, and related services that demonstrate clear need and strong impact.

Catholic dioceses and church entities in designated Extension Dioceses, including parts of Tennessee, can seek funding to establish or expand pastoral and social outreach ministries. With a mission to strengthen Catholic communities, Catholic Extension provides support for ministries serving families, immigrants, the homeless, the incarcerated, disaster-affected parishes, and related crime and justice outreach.

Tennessee organizations and individuals with proven, innovative criminal or civil justice programs can receive US $15,000 awards for accomplished work, not future projects. The Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides recognition and funding for efforts in areas like legal reform, crime prevention, child protection, and crime victims’ rights across the U.S.

Eligible organizations operating drug court training and technical assistance programs in Tennessee can apply for the Executive Office of the President’s cooperative agreement, with awards up to US $6,000,000 to support evidence-based addiction treatment and related materials. Criminal justice and court-focused entities may benefit, especially those aiming to reduce recidivism and improve access to treatment in drug courts.

Researchers and institutions conducting citizen security and criminal justice studies, including those relevant to Tennessee, can apply for the Citizen Security Research Initiative, which offers US $75,000 - US $400,000 for rigorous research. Innovations for Poverty Action supports impact evaluations, pilots, infrastructure projects, and foundational studies on crime, violence prevention, and strengthening law enforcement and justice systems.

Organizations conducting U.S. public policy research and analysis on criminal justice system reform can use this funding to inform policymakers and the public, including work relevant to Tennessee. Grants from Smith Richardson Foundation help advance studies on sentencing, incarceration costs, and justice system efficiency that may support criminal justice initiatives in the state.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on criminal justice responses to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Tennessee can seek project funding, including pre-arrest diversion, law enforcement training, and specialized legal services. Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation supports mental health and criminal justice initiatives across the continental U.S., excluding general operations, individuals, and international activities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee running neuroscience-related programs can seek funding to improve access to treatment, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline mental health workforces. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine help support initiatives around Alzheimer’s, depression, schizophrenia, crisis intervention, and mental health–criminal justice intersections, including early intervention, relapse prevention, and stigma reduction.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience and mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving: Neuroscience support to improve access to treatment and services. National organizations in Tennessee working on recovery, crisis intervention, or criminal justice-related mental health initiatives may be eligible, with preference for measurable, health system–improvement programs over event-based requests.

Focused on criminal justice system reform and related social inequalities, this program invites early-career U.S.-based scholars to propose one-year research projects on economic mobility, access to opportunity, and systemic barriers. Tennessee researchers at under-resourced institutions or from underrepresented groups may be especially competitive. Awards range from US $35,000 - US $50,000 and include mentoring support.

Doctoral-level researchers studying behavioral science, decision-making, and related social science questions in U.S. contexts such as policing and criminal legal systems can apply for research support, with awards up to US $200,000. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides Tennessee criminal justice reform scholars with funding for well-developed, peer-reviewed projects.

Researchers proposing causal studies on community safety and the criminal justice system in the U.S., including Tennessee, can apply for funding from Arnold Ventures. Focused on rigorous designs and real-world behavioral outcomes, this opportunity prioritizes projects with clear policy relevance and often favors early-career or previously unfunded investigators, with awards up to US $500,000.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing criminal justice, nursing, or education degrees who fit this fund’s criteria may be eligible for support, including students interested in justice-related careers in Tennessee. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help cover college costs, with awards up to US $3,000 for eligible Westfield, Massachusetts seniors from specified high schools.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice, particularly those in BOCES criminal justice programs, may be eligible for this scholarship opportunity. Focused on education in criminal justice fields, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation invites students from Cattaraugus and Allegany County high schools to apply for the Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship.

Tennessee organizations and individuals engaged in community and restorative justice projects can receive funding for small-scale initiatives through mini-grants, with awards up to US $500. Grants from National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help criminal justice system reform efforts nationwide; NACRJ members may apply twice a year, excluding those funded in 2024 for 2025.

Organizations and individuals advancing community and restorative justice in Tennessee can apply for the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice’s Impact Grant; awards up to US $3,000 for larger-scale restorative justice initiatives, capacity-building, and innovative projects. NACRJ membership is required, and prior 2024 grantees must skip the 2025 cycle.

The William T. Grant Foundation offers Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence, aimed at enhancing research strategies that benefit youth aged 5-25 in the U.S. Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 over one to two years, including up to 15% for indirect costs. The program emphasizes capacity-building for grantees, fostering connections among scholars and practitioners, and creating collaborative learning environments to address challenges and share insights.

High school seniors, college, and non-traditional students pursuing criminal justice or first responder programs at U.S. colleges can receive $2,000 for tuition through the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship. While based in Minnesota, this CommunityGiving award may interest Tennessee students modeling similar public safety and criminal justice pathways.

Benton County, Oregon high school students pursuing forensic science or criminal justice degrees 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 fund also supports police cadet and bicycle safety programs.

The Soros Justice Fellowships support innovative individuals dedicated to reforming the U.S. criminal justice system. These fellowships, available in two tracks, offer funding for 12 or 18 months to projects that inspire dialogue, influence policy, and drive change. Track I is aimed at emerging leaders, while Track II is for seasoned professionals. With grants of $100,000 and $140,000 respectively, the program emphasizes collaboration and aims to foster a network of leaders committed to addressing injustice and inequality.

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.

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.

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.