Best Crime Grants in Maryland

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 H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation, established in 1956, focuses on peace, justice, and racial harmony. With a mission to support ecumenical efforts, the foundation has expanded its assets significantly since the passing of H. Robert Gemmer in 1992. The foundation prioritizes funding initiatives that promote peace education, human rights, and social justice, while providing grants to organizations that demonstrate financial stability and effective community impact.

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation Grant aims to improve lives through support for education, health care, community development, and innovation. Established by James and Beverley Sorenson, the foundation focuses on enhancing art education, medical technologies, and community assistance in Utah. It prioritizes projects that foster artistic growth, promote innovative solutions, and address health care challenges while aiding vulnerable populations. The foundation's commitment to enriching lives reflects a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and community engagement.

The Bernau Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance individual lives and foster positive leadership through funding initiatives that provide long-term solutions. Grants are awarded to IRS-designated public charities or nonprofits, emphasizing projects that promote civic responsibility, education, and mentor programs. The foundation prioritizes smaller organizations that encourage meaningful community engagement and constructive change, ensuring a lasting impact on society.

The Ausherman Family Foundation offers General Grants for organizations seeking to fund operating, program, or project costs that align with their mission. Eligible applicants must serve Frederick County, MD residents and request a minimum of $2,500. Grants can include a challenge matching funds component, encouraging community support and engagement. However, in-kind and government funding cannot be counted as matching funds. This grant is an excellent opportunity for local organizations to enhance their services and impact.

The Ausherman Family Foundation's Capacity Building Grant aims to enhance the effectiveness of nonprofits in Frederick County, Maryland. This grant supports various activities including strategic planning, leadership development, and technology improvements, ultimately strengthening organizations' capabilities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities located in Frederick County with a commitment to expanding their operations. The foundation prioritizes funding for initiatives benefiting children, families, health services, arts, and community development.

The Chatlos Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and globally, focusing on Bible colleges, religious causes, liberal arts colleges, medical concerns, and social issues. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $20,000, depending on the category. The Foundation prioritizes program support and typically funds requests under $10,000. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based, tax-exempt for at least two years, and aligned with the Foundation's mission, ensuring that funded projects achieve independence.

The Abell Foundation's Community Development Grants support initiatives in Baltimore City that enhance quality of life and address urban poverty. The foundation prioritizes funding for organizations tackling systemic issues in education, workforce development, health services, community development, criminal justice, environment, and the arts. Grants over $10,000 are awarded to nonprofits and government agencies that demonstrate measurable impact and innovation, focusing on underserved populations to foster community engagement and sustainable growth.

Herold and Retta Reuss Public Safety Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate the drive and ability to be successful in pursuing a college education and/or a certification process in the fields aforementioned. Financial information is requested, but not necessarily a determining factor. Students who receive this scholarship may apply for further support in subsequent years.

The BJA FY 2026 Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Program aims to enhance the safety of federal judges and their families by preventing the disclosure of sensitive information. This funding opportunity supports state and local governments, including tribal entities, in implementing protective measures. The program emphasizes collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to ensure justice is administered without fear of personal reprisal. Grants can only be used for the designated purpose of safeguarding federal judges as outlined in the statute.

About Us

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) is here to serve and add value to donors’ philanthropic needs by providing them an opportunity to “invest in the power of community.” It is our goal to identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address community needs, and help prepare for the future.

MCF Mission

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to be a catalyst for lasting impact in Sarpy and Cass counties and to give opportunities to organizations and individuals to pursue their charitable goals.

Scholarships Through MCF

Midlands Community Foundation is committed to the futures of communities in Sarpy and Cass Counties, and across the country. Supporting higher education of students is a direct investment in the futures of these communities.

Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Application Guidelines

The Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship Fund makes this scholarship available to students studying criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, or pre-law

The Fund shall annually distribute two (2) scholarships in the total amount of $1,500, split evenly per semester (i.e., $750 Fall Semester, and $750 Spring/Semester).

State, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies in Maryland can seek funding to assign or hire full-time cross-designated prosecutors to investigate and prosecute fraud, criminal aliens, and drug or human trafficking crimes. Grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance help build investigative capacity and strengthen crime and justice efforts through coordination with federal authorities. Awards up to US $300,000,000.

Focused on criminal justice and related studies, this scholarship invites Maryland-area high school seniors interested in law enforcement or justice careers to pursue 4-year college degrees. Administered by Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, it supports students with financial need, strong academics, and volunteer experience who plan to enter crime and justice fields.

Students pursuing law enforcement or criminal justice studies with financial need can receive scholarship support, including those from Maryland. With a mission to assist aspiring public safety professionals, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation provides funding to individuals who meet residency, academic, and career-intent criteria, which may benefit those focused on crime and justice fields.

Graduating high school seniors in the Tri-Cities community planning to study law, criminal justice, mental health, social work, or psychology can apply for the Ray and Sue Barrett Scholarship, administered by Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Maryland students pursuing crime and justice–related degrees may be eligible if they meet the foundation’s location and program requirements.

Students pursuing legal careers in Maryland can apply for the Muskegon County Bar Association Law Education Scholarship from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County to support law-related higher education. This scholarship encourages future attorneys and may benefit those interested in crime and justice fields or broader legal education pathways.

With a mission to support students’ educational and career goals, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation provides Maryland crime and justice students with scholarship opportunities for criminal justice or law enforcement studies. Tri-Cities high school seniors, current college students, or adults returning to school with financial need and a minimum 2.5 GPA may be eligible.

Researchers and research institutions conducting crime and justice studies in countries including the U.S. can seek funding to evaluate interventions, pilots, and infrastructure that improve citizen security and justice systems. Focused on crime and violence, Innovations for Poverty Action backs projects on organized crime, drug trafficking, and law enforcement reform with awards from US $75,000 - US $400,000.

The OVC FY 2026 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking aims to strengthen responses to human trafficking through multidisciplinary collaboration. This initiative provides essential resources for victim identification, service delivery, and case investigations, all supported by the U.S. Department of Justice. By fostering cooperative efforts, the program seeks to enhance the effectiveness of local jurisdictions in combating this critical issue and ensuring the safety and rights of affected individuals.

Hope Grant Program

Direct support for individuals and families.

The Hope Grant program offers one-time, expedited financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by a heinous or violent crime within the last 12–18 months. Hope Grants are designed to meet urgent and emergency needs, helping victims begin to rebuild their lives after unimaginable loss.

• Grants provide practical, immediate financial relief in the wake of tragedy.
• Available for victims of crimes such as homicide, rape, trafficking, and violent crimes against children.

The CDC's NCIPC invites research proposals to evaluate innovative approaches for preventing firearm-related violence and injuries. This initiative emphasizes the importance of data-driven solutions without infringing on legal firearm ownership rights. Funding options are available for existing data evaluations (up to $350,000/year for 2 years) or new data collection (up to $650,000/year for 3 years). Target areas include mass shootings, suicides, and crime prevention across various demographics and settings.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

BJA FY 25 Invited to Apply for Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces

Basic Information

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is committed to advancing work that furthers the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) mission to keep our country safe and secure and uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of American citizens. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the BJA FY 2025 Invited to Apply for Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces. Originally released in FY23, BJA's Transforming Prison Cultures, Climates, and Spaces program funded the development and initial implementation of the Safe Inside Initiative, which supports state departments of corrections (DOC) in their efforts to improve safety, security, and reduce recidivism, particularly among prisons facing acute workforce challenges. Through the Safe Inside Initiative funded via this program, state DOCs will receive highly specialized and technical training to help them effectively recruit, train, and retain qualified staff, and streamline operations in response to workforce trends.

The Life Comes From It Grant, funded by the Tides Foundation, supports grassroots initiatives focused on restorative, transformative, and indigenous justice. It prioritizes projects led by communities of color, emphasizing alternatives to incarceration and community-led solutions. Applicants must be 501c3 organizations based in the United States. This grant fosters a collaborative approach to healing and justice, aiming to shift power dynamics and promote inclusive practices across generations.

The Law & Science Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, invites interdisciplinary proposals that explore the intersection of law and scientific principles. It focuses on research examining human behavior, legal processes, and the application of technology in legal contexts. Topics include crime, environmental science, and forensic studies. Applications are due on January 15 and August 1 for the years 2021 through 2025, promoting innovative research that enhances understanding of legal systems.

Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system.

BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. 

FY25 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance Program

Executive Summary

This NOFO will provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to state and local grantees of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program to enhance implementation of comprehensive residential substance use treatment during detention or incarceration and aftercare services to prepare individuals for successful reintegration into the community. The selected TTA provider will also maintain and update the RSAT TTA website to serve as single source of information for RSAT grantees that reflects evolving needs and emerging evidence-based approaches.

The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant, though currently closed, aims to support 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan. The foundation emphasizes animal welfare, parks preservation, veteran support, and youth empowerment. Their mission is to enhance lives through community-focused initiatives that foster resilience, education, and well-being. They prioritize charities that promote responsible pet ownership, outdoor recreation, and provide resources for veterans and youth, ensuring a positive impact across multiple sectors.