Best Grants for Criminal Justice in Kansas

Kansas crime and justice nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) emergency response and victim services organizations, can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation for safety, crime prevention, and community vitality projects; awards US $5,000 - US $30,000. Programs must primarily serve Kansas communities on the Union Pacific service list and align with the foundation’s Community Ties cause areas.

Established Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs in Kansas can apply for the State Court Appointed Special Advocates Grant Program to support criminal justice and crime victim services. Funding from Kansas Governor's Grants Program helps recruit, train, and support volunteers and staff who advocate in court for abused and neglected children’s safety and permanent placement.

Units of state or local government, Native American tribes, and nonprofit or faith-based organizations in Kansas can apply for the Federal S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Grant to support law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services responding to violent crimes against women. Administered by the Kansas Office of the Governor, this program may benefit criminal justice and victim service initiatives.

Researchers and institutions conducting citizen security and criminal justice studies, including those working on Kansas-related issues within eligible countries, can apply for Innovations for Poverty Action’s Citizen Security Research Initiative. Focus areas include crime and violence prevention, organized crime, drug trafficking, and strengthening law enforcement and justice systems, with awards ranging from US $75,000 - US $400,000.

Eligible organizations operating drug court training and technical assistance programs in Kansas can apply for Executive Office of the President’s cooperative agreement, with awards up to US $6,000,000 to support evidence-based addiction treatment within the criminal justice system. Programs addressing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and recidivism reduction may be competitive.

Organizations and individuals improving criminal or civil justice systems in Kansas can receive US $15,000 awards recognizing proven, model programs. Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides Kansas criminal justice innovators with national awards for work in areas like legal reform, crime prevention, child protection, victim services, and other significant justice system improvements across the U.S.

CJI’s Leadership Circle Grant Program seeks proposals from grassroots organizations led by formerly incarcerated and directly impacted individuals. The program aims to create community-based solutions that address the injustices of the U.S. criminal legal system, emphasizing alternatives to incarceration and promoting community safety. CJI prioritizes funding for organizations that empower these communities to lead change, ensuring that they are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for justice reform.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing education, criminal justice, or nursing degrees can receive up to US $3,000 to support college costs through the William T. Maunsell Memorial Scholarship Fund. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help students, including those interested in criminal justice fields, cover tuition, fees, room and board, and related expenses.

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

The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation offers Criminal Justice Grants aimed at improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses, particularly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. With an emphasis on effective programs and support services, the foundation seeks to address the challenges faced by mentally ill individuals in the criminal justice system. The foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a commitment to making a meaningful impact and improving the quality of life for those affected by these conditions.

Kansas students pursuing higher education in forensic science or criminal justice may be eligible for the Robin V. Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports tuition toward a Bachelor of Science degree. Administered by Benton Community Foundation, this renewable award also benefits police cadet and bicycle safety programs in its home community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running neuroscience and mental health programs in Kansas can use this funding to improve access to treatment, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline workforces. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine support initiatives in areas like schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s, crisis intervention, and mental health–criminal justice education that address disparities and high unmet need.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running neuroscience and mental health programs can apply for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s Therapeutic Giving support to improve access to treatment, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline workforces. Kansas organizations addressing Alzheimer’s, depression, schizophrenia, crisis intervention, or mental health and the criminal justice system may be eligible, especially with recovery-focused or early intervention initiatives.

Researchers and research institutions studying how to improve the use of research evidence to benefit U.S. young people ages 5–25, including those focused on criminal justice system reform in Kansas, can apply for William T Grant Foundation’s Officers’ Research Grants. Awards range from US $25,000 - US $50,000 for 1–2 year projects, plus capacity-building support.

Early-career social science faculty researching criminal justice system reform and related inequalities in the U.S., including those at Kansas institutions, can apply for research funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Awards of US $35,000 - US $50,000 support one-year projects on economic mobility, systemic barriers, and structural inequities using diverse methods and data sources.

Researchers with doctorates studying criminal justice systems and related social science issues in the U.S., including Kansas, can seek up to US $200,000 for empirical research projects. With a mission to advance social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides support for work on policing, legal processes, housing, employment, immigration, and racial justice decision-making.

Researchers and research institutions studying community safety and criminal justice policies in the U.S., including Kansas, can apply for causal research funding from Arnold Ventures. Focused on rigorous designs and real-world behavioral outcomes, this opportunity may benefit projects on crime, justice system performance, or reform with clear pathways to state or federal policy impact.

Organizations and individuals in Kansas working on community and restorative justice projects can apply for mini-grants up to US $500. Grants from National Association of Community and Restorative Justice help members across the U.S. undertake meaningful criminal justice system reform initiatives, including those focused on restorative practices and community-based justice efforts.

Organizations and individuals advancing community and restorative justice in Kansas 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. NACRJ members working on criminal justice system reform may be eligible once per year, subject to prior-year funding limits.

High school seniors, college, and non-traditional students studying criminal justice or first responder programs at U.S. institutions can receive US $2,000 for tuition and related educational costs. CommunityGiving provides Kansas criminal justice students, and those from Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne County in Minnesota, with scholarship support to advance careers in policing, firefighting, EMT, and public safety leadership.

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.

The Soros Justice Fellowships support innovative individuals dedicated to reforming the U.S. criminal justice system. These fellowships, available in two tracks, offer funding for 12 or 18 months to projects that inspire dialogue, influence policy, and drive change. Track I is aimed at emerging leaders, while Track II is for seasoned professionals. With grants of $100,000 and $140,000 respectively, the program emphasizes collaboration and aims to foster a network of leaders committed to addressing injustice and inequality.

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. Students from Cattaraugus County and Allegany County, including those in BOCES criminal justice programs, may benefit, particularly those interested in crime and justice or criminal justice system reform careers.

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.

High school seniors planning to study emergency services or criminal justice, including those in Kansas, can receive scholarship support for accredited college programs. Noble County Community Foundation provides this US $500 award, which may benefit students interested in careers related to crime prevention, law enforcement, or the broader criminal justice system.

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.