Best Grants for Criminal Justice in Minnesota

Minnesota nonprofits, local governments, and Tribal Nations can obtain funding for programs serving justice-impacted individuals in Minnesota, including chemical dependency and mental health treatment, supervision improvements, and pretrial or precharge supervision. Minnesota Department of Public Safety supports initiatives that reduce recidivism for controlled substances offenders and bolster local participation in approved drug court initiatives.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) public charities working on community safety, crime prevention, and support for crime victims can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for programs within its Community Ties Giving priority areas. Grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support safety initiatives, community services, and related efforts in Minnesota communities served by Union Pacific.

Minnesota criminal justice and public safety organizations working on gun violence prevention, justice reform, or violence intervention policy can access funding through the Joyce Foundation. Grants support research, data, policy development and advocacy, pilot initiatives, communications, and public education that advance racial equity and improve policing, alternatives to incarceration, and community-based violence intervention in the Great Lakes region.

Eligible organizations operating or supporting drug courts in Minnesota can apply for the Executive Office of the President’s cooperative agreement, awarding up to US $6,000,000 for training and technical assistance to expand evidence-based addiction treatment. Programs focused on criminal justice system reform and reducing recidivism through drug courts may be competitive.

Organizations and individuals improving criminal or civil justice systems in Minnesota can receive recognition awards supporting proven, innovative programs. Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides Minnesota criminal justice reform efforts with national awards of US $15,000, plus a medal, certificate, and trip to an Atlanta awards banquet. Nominations are accepted year-round from all 50 states.

Organizations and research institutions working on crime and justice can seek US $75,000 - US $400,000 to evaluate citizen security, policing, and justice interventions in countries including the U.S. Focused on rigorous impact evaluations and related studies, Innovations for Poverty Action invites projects that address organized crime, drug trafficking, violence prevention, and strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice systems.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing criminal justice, education, or nursing degrees may be eligible for support through the William T. Maunsell Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help Minnesota students interested in criminal justice-related studies access up to US $3,000 toward college costs.

Nonprofit or academic research teams studying how to improve the use of research evidence in criminal justice or related youth-serving systems in Minnesota and nationwide can apply for US $25,000 - US $50,000. William T Grant Foundation supports projects benefiting young people ages 5–25, including work in juvenile justice and criminal justice system reform.

High school seniors, college, and non-traditional students from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota pursuing criminal justice or first responder studies can receive scholarship support for 2- or 4-year U.S. programs. CommunityGiving provides Minnesota criminal justice students with the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship, offering US $2,000 to those demonstrating leadership.

Organizations and individuals working on community and restorative justice in Minnesota 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 not have received a 2024 grant.

Organizations and individuals in Minnesota working on community and restorative justice projects can seek up to US $500 through the NACRJ Mini-Grants. Grants from National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help criminal justice system reform efforts nationwide; Minnesota members may be eligible if they are current NACRJ members and did not receive a 2024 grant.

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

Students pursuing higher education in criminal justice can apply for the FOP Lodge #88 Criminal Justice Scholarship, offered through the Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland. This scholarship supports college or career preparation in criminal justice fields and may benefit Minnesota students focused on crime and justice or criminal justice system reform studies.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice can receive scholarship support through the Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship, administered by Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation. Focused on higher education in criminal justice, this award may benefit students interested in crime and justice careers, including those from Minnesota exploring similar opportunities.

Researchers proposing causal studies on community safety and the criminal justice system in the U.S., including Minnesota, can apply for up to US $500,000 from Arnold Ventures. Focused on rigorous designs and real-world behavioral outcomes, this opportunity may benefit crime and justice reform efforts with clear policy implications.

Researchers with doctorates studying behavioral science and decision making in criminal justice contexts can seek up to US $200,000 for social science research, including work relevant to Minnesota. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides scholars with core research grants for projects on policing, criminal legal systems, and related institutional practices.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. criminal justice, legal systems, or related inequalities 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 supports diverse scholars, including those in Minnesota, studying topics like incarceration, safety nets, labor markets, or neighborhood segregation.

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 care, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline workforces. Minnesota organizations addressing Alzheimer’s, depression, schizophrenia, crisis intervention, or mental health and the criminal justice system may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running neuroscience-related programs in Minnesota 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 like crisis intervention, early intervention, relapse prevention, stigma reduction, and education on mental health within the criminal justice system.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on criminal justice responses to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Minnesota can seek project funding to improve outcomes for people with serious mental illness. Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation supports efforts such as pre-arrest treatment options, law-enforcement training, and specialized legal or reentry services across the continental U.S.

The Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence program aims to enhance the application of research findings for young people aged 5-25 in the U.S. It offers major grants ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 over 2-4 years, focusing on impactful studies and capacity-building for researchers. The foundation encourages collaboration among scholars and practitioners to strengthen research practices and evidence use in various settings.

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.

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 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 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 Smith Richardson Foundation's Domestic Public Policy Grant supports initiatives that help address critical challenges in the U.S. It funds research and evaluations of public policies while promoting innovative solutions to enhance education, fiscal practices, and the criminal justice system. The Foundation aims to foster effective policies that improve economic opportunities and public services, ensuring a prosperous future for all citizens.