Best Restorative Justice Grants in South Carolina

Rural, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations using grassroots organizing for criminal justice system reform and related justice issues in South Carolina and other Southeastern states can seek general or project support through the Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle. Focused on social, economic, and environmental justice, Southern Partners Fund supports small-budget groups building community power and leadership.

Organizations conducting research or policy analysis on U.S. criminal justice, education, economics, or fiscal policy can apply for funding that supports domestic public policy projects, including work relevant to South Carolina. Grants from Smith Richardson Foundation help advance reforms such as criminal justice system improvements, post-secondary education policy, and strategies to strengthen long-term economic opportunity.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on neuroscience-related mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving: Neuroscience funding to support patient-focused services and system improvements. Programs in South Carolina addressing schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s, crisis intervention, health disparities, or mental health and the criminal justice system may be eligible, especially those with measurable outcomes.

Early-career social science faculty researching criminal justice system reform and systemic inequality in the U.S., including work relevant to South Carolina, can seek project funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on economic mobility, access to opportunity, and related structural barriers, this program offers US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year empirical research projects that advance social science knowledge.

Doctoral-level researchers studying behavioral science, decision making, and justice-related contexts can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants of up to US $200,000. With a mission to advance social science, the foundation supports work on criminal legal systems, policing, racial and ethnic relations, and related reforms that may inform restorative justice in South Carolina and beyond.

Focused on causal research into community safety and criminal justice, this opportunity invites U.S.-based research projects using rigorous designs like difference-in-differences or randomization. South Carolina criminal justice reform and restorative justice researchers may be eligible if they study real-world behavioral outcomes of policies, practices, or interventions in the U.S., with awards up to US $500,000.

Organizations and individuals working on community and restorative justice projects in South Carolina can apply for mini-grants to support meaningful initiatives. Grants from the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help U.S. members undertake projects advancing criminal justice system reform, offering up to US $500 plus visibility and networking within the restorative justice community.

Organizations and individuals working on restorative and community justice in South Carolina 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 past 2024 grantees cannot apply in 2025.

Students pursuing criminal justice or first responder studies at U.S. colleges can receive scholarship support through CommunityGiving’s Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship. Applicants must be high school seniors, college, or non-traditional students from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota. Those interested in restorative justice careers in South Carolina may find this model informative but are not eligible geographically.

Nonprofit or academic researchers studying how to improve the use of research evidence in criminal justice, juvenile justice, or child welfare for U.S. youth ages 5–25 can seek support through this program. William T Grant Foundation supports justice system reform work, and South Carolina restorative justice initiatives may be eligible for US $25,000 - US $50,000 research projects.

Graduating seniors pursuing criminal justice, education, or nursing who attend specific Westfield, Massachusetts high schools can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help students nationwide, and those interested in criminal justice system reform or restorative justice in South Carolina may also benefit if they meet the school-based criteria.

Organizations conducting research on citizen security, crime prevention, and justice system reform can apply for US $75,000 - US $400,000 from Innovations for Poverty Action, funded by the U.S. State Department’s INL. Focused on rigorous impact evaluations and pilots, this opportunity may benefit South Carolina groups advancing restorative and criminal justice reform evidence.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice can use this scholarship for higher education expenses, with preference for BOCES criminal justice students. Focused on criminal justice system reform, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation invites eligible students from Cattaraugus County and Allegany County to apply for the Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship.

South Carolina students pursuing forensic science or criminal justice degrees can access funding through the Robin V. Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund to support higher education costs. Administered by Benton Community Foundation, this renewable scholarship supports active, community-minded high school athletes with solid academic performance who plan to earn a Bachelor of Science in these fields.

Students pursuing an education in criminal justice in South Carolina 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 and systemic justice reform work.

High school seniors pursuing emergency services fields such as fire, police, criminal justice, or EMS and planning to attend an accredited college can receive scholarship support, including students in South Carolina. Noble County Community Foundation’s Hutsell, Alan Scholarship Fund awards US $500, with preference for West Noble High School seniors and a focus on criminal justice-related study that may support restorative justice careers.

The BJA FY 2026 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program aims to support state, local, and tribal governments in implementing effective reentry strategies for individuals transitioning from correctional facilities back to their communities. This program encourages comprehensive interventions designed to reduce recidivism by addressing various reentry needs, as outlined in the Second Chance Act. Applications are due by October 1, 2026, at 8:59 PM ET, and are submitted through JustGrants.

Individuals such as lawyers, advocates, organizers, journalists, and artists working on criminal justice system reform projects in the U.S., including South Carolina, 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 spur debate, inform the public, and catalyze change, which may include restorative justice efforts.

Nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations developing early-stage projects in criminal justice reform, social justice, or related areas can receive support through the J.M. Kaplan Fund’s J.M.K. Innovation Prize. This U.S.-wide opportunity offers up to US $175,000 plus capacity-building support, and South Carolina restorative justice initiatives may be eligible if they advance innovative, scalable solutions.

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.

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.