Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative – Nov 17

Posted by Urban Institute on October 31, 2023

Urban Institute, Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative invite applications for Catalyst Grant Program

The Urban Institute and the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative are collaborating on the Catalyst Grant Program to help nonprofits use data and technology to advance racial equity and reform at the front end of the criminal legal system.

Catalyst Grant Program goals include the following: create a space for locally embedded nonprofit organizations to implement data- and technology-focused projects to advance racial equity and reform in the criminal legal system in the focus areas of prevention, policing, and prosecution; enhance the technological and data capacity of nonprofit organizations focused on promoting justice and racial equity through technical assistance, peer-learning opportunities, and financial support; and disseminate innovative practices and lessons learned during implementation to stakeholders throughout the criminal legal reform community.

Grants will be awarded to support local activities related to advancing racial equity and reform in the front end of the adult criminal legal system through data and technology. Selected applicants will receive $40,000 in grant funds; assistance on data, policy, and community engagement from the Urban Institute; access to Microsoft technology and related support; and peer learning opportunities.

Projects must focus on adults (18 and older), incorporate data and technology, and aim to advance racial equity and reform at the front end of the criminal legal system, for instance, in:

Prevention: Including preventing law enforcement contact, diverting people from arrest or incarceration, interrupting violence in communities, and enabling alternative responders.

Policing: Including decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in policing and community safety programs, policies, and practices; and

Prosecution: Decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in prosecution programs, policies, and practices.

Projects are not required to use Microsoft technology. However, projects that use Microsoft technology in ways integral to the proposed data and technology activities will be eligible for additional in-kind technology access and support.

To be eligible, lead organizations must be locally embedded 501(c)(3) organizations based in the United States, excluding colleges and universities. There is a focus on those organizations embedded in communities of color, particularly Black communities. Lead organizations may include partner organizations that do not meet lead organization eligibility criteria in their proposals.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Urban Institute website.

Deadline: November 17, 2023