Why Mellon Is Boosting Art That Confronts the Criminal Justice System

Why Mellon Is Boosting Art That Confronts the Criminal Justice System

The leading funder of the humanities committed $125 million to lift up the artistic voices of those directly impacted by American legal system. It’s a big influx of cash for this field, and one that Mellon hopes will have broad impacts.

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The Power of Reentry: New Grants Demonstrate the Potential of Holistic Support for Returning Citizens

The Power of Reentry: New Grants Demonstrate the Potential of Holistic Support for Returning Citizens

New backing from the Michigan Justice Fund shines a light on the unmet needs of people reentering society after incarceration — and how attention to this area could help funders address a whole range of social ills.

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This CZI Spinoff's New Funding Tells a More Nuanced Story About Criminal Justice Reform

This CZI Spinoff's New Funding Tells a More Nuanced Story About Criminal Justice Reform

The Just Trust’s new Safer Communities Accelerator is getting behind groups “working within the system and outside of it.” The trust’s overall approach involves funding direct services as well as broader justice reform advocacy.

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With Backing from Kresge, Operation Restoration Gives Formerly Incarcerated Women a Leg Up

With Backing from Kresge, Operation Restoration Gives Formerly Incarcerated Women a Leg Up

Upon their release, formerly incarcerated women face steep barriers. Founded by a restorative justice leader who served time herself, Operation Restoration channels philanthropic resources to provide assistance.

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This Major Funder Hopes to Break the Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration

This Major Funder Hopes to Break the Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration

A new partnership run by the MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Institute aims to disrupt the connection between housing instability and time in jail — starting in four communities across the country.

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Critical Funding Gaps in Criminal Justice Reform Hit the South and Midwest Hardest

Critical Funding Gaps in Criminal Justice Reform Hit the South and Midwest Hardest

Though the Southeast and Midwest have some of the nation’s highest incarceration rates, justice reform philanthropy lags. Guest authors Allana Jackson and Alexandra Williams make the case for more attention.

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How This Fellowship Lets Social Justice Leaders Explore Bold Ideas

How This Fellowship Lets Social Justice Leaders Explore Bold Ideas

Since its 2016 launch, the Rosenberg Foundation’s Leading Edge fellowship program has backed some of California’s most promising social justice leaders. Here’s what some fellows in the 2022-2024 cohort are working on.

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What Can Funders Do to Better Support Incarcerated Women and Girls?

What Can Funders Do to Better Support Incarcerated Women and Girls?

Despite a swiftly rising global female prison population, funding remains scarce for work with and for incarcerated women and girls. Guest authors Isabella Cordua and Sabrina Mahtani unpack the problem.

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With More Donors on Board, Open Philanthropy Is Spinning Its Criminal Justice Work into a New Fund

With More Donors on Board, Open Philanthropy Is Spinning Its Criminal Justice Work into a New Fund

Open Philanthropy, a leading funder of criminal justice reform, just announced that its program will now be an independent fund building on its work to date. The fund has already picked up some big donors.

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After an Unprecedented 2020, Criminal Justice Reform Fundraisers Forge Ahead

After an Unprecedented 2020, Criminal Justice Reform Fundraisers Forge Ahead

The pandemic and heightened concern about systemic racism prompted a huge surge in giving to criminal justice reform groups. We spoke with several fundraisers to learn how the past year impacted their work—and what’s next.

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Hallowed Land: The World’s Richest Episcopal Church Gets Serious About Giving

Hallowed Land: The World’s Richest Episcopal Church Gets Serious About Giving

Trinity Church Wall Street in Lower Manhattan has amassed billions in real estate wealth. We talk to leadership about the church’s unique philanthropy, including social justice work and real estate development for cash-strapped institutions.

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With its Latest Grants, the Art for Justice Fund is Looking to Spark New Connections

With its Latest Grants, the Art for Justice Fund is Looking to Spark New Connections

Since its launch two years ago, the Art for Justice Fund has given out $43 million and experimented with new ways to advance criminal justice reform. Its latest round of funding seeks to forge stronger partnerships between artists and advocates.

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Leaving Rikers: What a Foundation is Doing for Women in New York City's Worst Jail

Leaving Rikers: What a Foundation is Doing for Women in New York City's Worst Jail

Women are the fastest-growing segment of incarcerated people in America. And for those stuck in Gotham’s notorious island jail, the hardships can be extreme. The New York Women’s Foundation and its Justice Fund partners are trying to change that.

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A Moral and Practical Imperative: A Women's Foundation Fights Mass Incarceration

A Moral and Practical Imperative: A Women's Foundation Fights Mass Incarceration

Women are now the fastest-growing population of incarcerated Americans. The New York Women’s Foundation, the latest funder to take on mass incarceration, has launched a Justice Fund focused on NYC’s women and girls.

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