Best Restorative Justice Grants in Oklahoma

District Attorneys Council

The primary function of the District Attorneys Council is to provide a professional organization for the education, training and coordination of technical efforts of all District Attorneys of the State. The DAC assists local District Attorneys by providing financial, personnel, and other administrative services upon request. The Council is the administrative agency for the Crime Victims Compensation Board and the state administrative agency for several federal grants.

It is important to note that the DAC does not have control over individual District Attorneys. Its functions are advisory and administrative support only. The DAC does not have the power to investigate, stop, or otherwise prevent a District Attorney from prosecuting an individual or group.

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) is a federal criminal justice grant that helps states/territories, tribal nations and local governments meet identified needs and improve the administration of justice.

AG awards are for 24 months.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to prevent and control crime. The JAG Program provides the State with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are most needed.

Purpose Areas: There are eight purpose areas under which JAG applications may fall. Each funding year, the Justice Assistance Grant Board prioritizes funding under these purpose areas. The purpose areas are:

• Law Enforcement Programs
• Prosecution and Court Programs
• Prevention and Education Programs
• Corrections and Community Corrections Programs
• Drug Treatment Programs
• Planning, Evaluation, and Technology Improvement Programs
• Crime Prevention and Witness Programs (Other Than Compensation)
• Mental Health Programs and Related Law Enforcement and Corrections Programs, including Behavioral Programs and Crisis Interventions Teams

Oklahoma nonprofits working on criminal justice system reform, human services, or community enhancement can seek operating, project, capital, or sponsorship support through Inasmuch Foundation. Focused on strengthening communities, the foundation invites organizations to apply for funding that advances basic needs, education, journalism, and related efforts that may include restorative justice initiatives.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) public charities running safety, crime prevention, or community wellbeing programs can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for projects in communities served by Union Pacific. Awards of US $5,000 - US $30,000 support initiatives like community/public safety, crime and violence prevention, victim services, youth development, and related restorative justice efforts.

Organizations conducting research or policy analysis on criminal justice system reform and related public policy can seek support for work affecting Oklahoma and the broader U.S. Grants from Smith Richardson Foundation help Oklahoma criminal justice reform efforts by funding studies, evaluations, and ideas that inform policymakers on sentencing, incarceration, and system efficiency.

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. Oklahoma organizations working on criminal justice-related mental health, crisis intervention, or stigma reduction may be eligible, especially with innovative, measurable, recovery-focused initiatives.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, systemic inequality, or criminal justice can apply for US $35,000 - US $50,000 in one-year project funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on structural barriers and policy impacts, it invites proposals that may include restorative justice or criminal justice system reform work in Oklahoma and nationwide.

Researchers with doctorates studying behavioral science, decision-making, and justice-related social processes can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants of up to US $200,000. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, it supports work on criminal legal systems, policing, racial/ethnic relations, and related contexts, which may include restorative justice in Oklahoma and nationwide.

Researchers and research institutions studying criminal justice policies in the U.S., including Oklahoma, can apply for causal research funding from Arnold Ventures, with awards up to US $500,000. Focused on community safety and criminal justice system reform, this RFP prioritizes strong causal designs, real-world behavioral outcomes, and projects with clear paths to policy impact.

Organizations and individuals working on community and restorative justice projects in Oklahoma can seek 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. advance criminal justice system reform while gaining visibility and networking within the restorative justice community.

NACRJ member organizations and individuals in Oklahoma working on community and restorative justice can apply for the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice’s Impact Grant, with awards up to US $3,000 for larger-scale initiatives, capacity-building, and innovative projects. Funding is available once per year for efforts advancing criminal justice system reform.

High school seniors and college or non-traditional students pursuing criminal justice or first responder studies can receive US $2,000 for higher education through this scholarship, including those interested in restorative justice careers. CommunityGiving provides Oklahoma criminal justice system reform students with support if they are from eligible Minnesota counties and attending approved U.S. institutions.

Organizations or research institutions studying how to improve the use of research evidence in criminal justice system reform and restorative justice for U.S. youth ages 5–25, including those in Oklahoma, can apply for US $25,000 - US $50,000. William T Grant Foundation also offers capacity-building, peer learning, and connections with policymakers and practitioners.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing education, criminal justice, or nursing degrees can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs through scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help Oklahoma criminal justice system reform students see how similar scholarship support may apply to their studies.

Organizations conducting research on citizen security and criminal justice system reform can apply for US $75,000 - US $400,000 in funding, including projects connected to Oklahoma. Focus areas include preventing crime and violence, countering organized crime, and strengthening law enforcement and justice institutions. Innovations for Poverty Action supports pilots, impact evaluations, infrastructure, and foundational studies.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice can seek scholarship support that may benefit those interested in restorative justice work, including students from Oklahoma. Focused on criminal justice education, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation invites applicants who meet its county-based eligibility to pursue higher education in this field.

Oklahoma organizations supporting students in criminal justice or forensic science education may be eligible for this renewable scholarship funding and related program support. Local high schoolers active in sports and community service with a 3.0–3.5 GPA can receive tuition assistance, while programs like police cadet initiatives and bicycle safety efforts may also benefit.

Students pursuing an education in criminal justice in Oklahoma 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 justice or broader criminal justice system reform work.

High school seniors pursuing emergency services or criminal justice studies at any accredited college can receive scholarship support, including those interested in restorative justice careers. Noble County Community Foundation provides Oklahoma students and others with the Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund, awarding US $500 annually, with preference for West Noble High School seniors.

Individuals such as lawyers, advocates, organizers, journalists, artists, and filmmakers working on U.S. criminal justice reform projects, including in Oklahoma, 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 work.

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.