Best Restorative Justice Grants in Utah

High school seniors pursuing higher education in emergency services, criminal justice, fire, police, or EMS at any accredited college may be eligible, with preference for West Noble High School students. With a mission to support criminal justice-related education, Noble County Community Foundation provides a US $500 scholarship that may benefit Utah students interested in restorative justice careers.

Students pursuing higher education in criminal justice, including those in Utah, can receive scholarship support to advance their studies. The Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland provides the FOP Lodge #88 Criminal Justice Scholarship to help deserving students prepare for careers that may contribute to criminal justice system reform and restorative justice efforts.

Utah students pursuing higher education in forensic science or criminal justice may be eligible for renewable tuition support that also benefits police cadet and bicycle safety programs. Focused on criminal justice system reform, Benton Community Foundation invites applicants who are active in sports and community service with a 3.0–3.5 GPA to apply.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study criminal justice, particularly those engaged in criminal justice coursework, may benefit from this higher education scholarship opportunity, though it is based outside Utah. With a mission to honor Deputy Wayne Krieger, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation supports students pursuing criminal justice studies, which may interest those focused on restorative justice and criminal justice system reform.

Research institutions and partners working on criminal justice system reform and community public safety in Utah and other eligible countries can apply for Innovations for Poverty Action’s Citizen Security Research Initiative. Grants of US $75,000 - US $400,000 support impact evaluations, pilot studies, infrastructure, and foundational research on crime prevention, law enforcement, and justice systems.

Graduating seniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Vocational Technical High School, and St. Mary’s High School pursuing degrees in education, criminal justice, or nursing can receive up to US $3,000 through this scholarship. With a mission to support students in these fields, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides aid that may benefit those interested in criminal justice system reform work beyond Utah.

Utah organizations and researchers working on criminal justice system reform and restorative justice for U.S. youth ages 5–25 can access funding through the William T Grant Foundation to study how research evidence is used in policy and practice. Awards of US $25,000 - US $50,000 support stand-alone or complementary research projects plus capacity-building opportunities.

High school seniors, college, and non-traditional students pursuing criminal justice or first responder studies at U.S. colleges can apply for CommunityGiving’s Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship, awarding US $2,000. Eligible applicants must be from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota; Utah restorative justice students may find similar scholarship models locally.

NACRJ member organizations and individuals in Utah can receive up to US $3,000 to support restorative and community justice projects, capacity-building, and larger-scale initiatives. National Association of Community and Restorative Justice supports criminal justice system reform by funding impactful member-led efforts that advance restorative practices and meaningful community impact across the U.S.

Utah restorative justice organizations and practitioners can access funding through the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice to support community and restorative justice projects. NACRJ members across the U.S. may apply for mini-grants up to US $500, offered twice a year, to undertake meaningful initiatives in criminal justice system reform and restorative practices.

Researchers proposing causal studies of U.S. community safety and criminal justice policies can apply for up to US $500,000 from Arnold Ventures. Grants from Arnold Ventures help Utah criminal justice reform efforts by funding rigorous designs (e.g., difference-in-differences, RCTs) that measure real-world outcomes like crime rates or justice involvement, with priority for scalable policy interventions and early-career scholars.

Researchers with doctorates studying behavioral science, decision making, and criminal justice contexts in Utah can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants up to US $200,000. Funding supports rigorous social science on policing, criminal legal systems, racial/ethnic justice, and related institutional practices, which may include restorative justice-focused projects.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. criminal justice system reform, economic mobility, or related inequalities can receive US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects through the Russell Sage Foundation. Utah scholars working on restorative justice, legal system disparities, or safety net access may be especially competitive, with mentoring support also provided for grantees.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running neuroscience-related programs that address criminal justice system involvement, mental illness, or crisis intervention in Utah can apply for funding to improve access to treatment and services. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine supports initiatives focused on recovery, early intervention, continuity of care, stigma reduction, and health disparities, which may benefit restorative justice efforts.

Utah nonprofits addressing neuroscience-related mental health, recovery, or criminal justice system issues can access funding through Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine to improve patient access, equity, and frontline care. Programs may include crisis intervention, early intervention, relapse prevention, stigma reduction, or education on mental health and the justice system, with preference for measurable, system-improvement initiatives over event-based requests.

Utah organizations working on criminal justice system reform and restorative justice can seek funding to research, evaluate, and improve U.S. public policies and programs. Focus areas for Smith Richardson Foundation support include fiscal practices, education and post-secondary outcomes, and criminal justice strategies that reduce costs while protecting public safety, which may benefit Utah-based justice reform initiatives.

Utah criminal justice reform advocates and practitioners can access funding through Open Society Institute’s Soros Justice Fellowships to pursue full-time projects challenging the U.S. criminal legal system. Individuals, including lawyers, organizers, journalists, artists, and filmmakers, receive US $100,000 - US $140,000 for 12–18 month efforts that advance reform, debate, and systemic change, including restorative justice work.

Nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit innovators working on criminal justice system reform, environment, or heritage conservation in Utah and across the U.S. can seek support for early-stage, game-changing projects. The J.M. Kaplan Fund’s J.M.K. Innovation Prize awards up to US $175,000 plus capacity-building guidance for pilots or prototypes with broad social impact potential.

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.

Grants from Sidney R Baer Jr Foundation help Utah criminal justice and mental health organizations address the needs of people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the justice system. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities can fund programs such as pre-arrest diversion, law enforcement training, legal services, and reentry efforts that support restorative and systemic reform.