Best Grants for Criminal Justice in Ohio

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture in Ohio can seek support through the U.S. Bank Foundation Community Possible program. Focused on equitable, high-impact partnerships, it prioritizes groups addressing multiple pillars and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, including work that may intersect with criminal justice reform and reentry.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, or health and human services can seek monetary program funding that may benefit justice-involved youth and families. Focused on these core areas, Costco Foundation invites organizations to apply with evidence-based programs, clear community need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and diversified financial support in communities where Costco operates.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting youth health, education, development, or welfare can use this funding for programs such as child advocacy, homelessness services, poverty relief, refugee enrichment, and environmental education in Ohio and beyond. The DanPaul Foundation offers up to US $15,000 for projects that directly benefit children and young people.

With a mission to support scalable social impact, this funder provides Ohio criminal justice organizations and other early-stage ventures with up to US $300,000 over three years in unrestricted funding or investment capital plus intensive capacity-building support. Eligible entities include independent nonprofits and impact-first for-profits tackling urgent social or environmental problems for underserved communities.

Nonprofit and NGO programs using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment in Ohio and beyond can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help organizations serving predominantly economically underserved people, including initiatives that may support justice-involved populations through skills training, job readiness, or economic mobility.

Nonprofits, educational institutions, government programs, and volunteer fire companies in Ohio can receive funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives. Focused on community safety, State Farm Companies Foundation invites organizations to propose projects such as auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, neighborhood revitalization, financial literacy, job training, or K-16 education and career pathways, which may support criminal justice-related efforts.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including those in Ohio, can apply for Labcorp Charitable Foundation grants to support health and welfare, education, or community initiatives. Funding may benefit programs such as healthcare for underserved populations, food pantries, STEM education, or healthy-lifestyle and screening efforts, including projects connected to crime and justice or criminal justice system reform.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on early childhood education or community economic development in Ohio communities where PNC operates can seek funding for programs serving low- and moderate-income residents. With a mission to strengthen communities, PNC Foundation provides grants for education, housing stability, small business support, human services, arts, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those working on crime, justice, or reentry in Ohio, can apply for Gupta Family Foundation’s US $5,000 - US $250,000 grants. Eligible 501(c)(3)s or qualifying foreign entities with revenues between $300,000 and $3,000,000 and non-sectarian missions may be considered.

Nonprofits and research institutions working on gun violence prevention, justice reform, or violence intervention that impact the Great Lakes region, including Ohio, can seek funding for research, policy advocacy, and pilot initiatives. With a mission to build safe and just communities, The Joyce Foundation supports projects advancing racial equity, reforming policing, and strengthening community-based violence intervention strategies.

Ohio organizations providing direct services to victims of sex and labor trafficking can seek funding to expand or build programs, add staff, and increase capacity across the state. Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services supports crime and justice initiatives by funding victim advocacy, mental health care, education and employment support, and shelter or housing services, with awards up to US $150,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits can receive more than US $50,000 to tell powerful stories about their preservation, education, or wellness work, including in Ohio. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant supports projects that highlight real-world impact, which may benefit criminal justice and community wellness initiatives that fit its three pillars.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding in Ohio can seek project support from the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. With a mission to respect all life and the environment, the foundation provides charitable organizations with funding that may benefit programs connected to crime and justice or criminal justice system reform.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local government entities in Ohio communities near Georgia-Pacific facilities can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental programs. Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports projects that enhance long-term well-being and sustainability in its manufacturing communities, which may include criminal justice or community safety initiatives.

Ohio 501(c)(3) public charities, public schools, and libraries can seek $5,000 - $10,000 in unrestricted operating or program support for environmental, human services, disaster relief, or other community-focused work. Focused on broad social and environmental impact, Lawrence Foundation invites applicants whose work may include criminal justice or related community services initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations in Ohio working on community-based programs, education, arts, health, environment, or social services can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $20,000. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help U.S. organizations whose projects, including some crime and justice initiatives, can achieve significant impact with relatively modest funding.

Nonprofit, private organizations in Ohio operating family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence shelters, or providing related counseling and advocacy, can apply for the Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services’ FVPSA funding. Grants support immediate shelter, supportive services, and prevention programming for victims and their dependents, and require collaboration with key community justice and service partners.

Criminal justice agencies and community public safety programs in Ohio can seek funding to implement proven or promising strategies that reduce violent crime, including murder, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. Grants from Ohio Department of Public Safety support crime and justice initiatives that strengthen community safety and address gun violence and victimization.

Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking project funding in education, social services, health care, civic or cultural initiatives, or environmental programs can access funding through the Dr Scholl Foundation. U.S.-based organizations may receive US $5,000 - US $25,000 for one-year projects, which can include criminal justice-related efforts that fit these broad categories.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving community quality of life in Ohio can seek project, operating, or capital support that advances economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, or disaster relief. With a mission to strengthen underserved communities, O'Reilly Automotive Foundation provides funding in areas like poverty alleviation, homelessness, mental health, literacy, and job readiness where it has a business presence.

With a mission to support criminal justice agencies, Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services provides Ohio law enforcement, prosecutors, and crime labs with reimbursement for sexual assault kit testing and related investigation costs. Funding can cover lab testing, kit transport, expert testimony, and training to build capacity for sexual assault and trafficking investigations.

Law enforcement agencies in Ohio can obtain reimbursement for in-state and out-of-state extradition costs for dangerous wanted offenders through this program, including transports via state-approved companies. With a mission to support Ohio’s criminal justice system, the Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services funds Tier 1 violent offenses, certain misdemeanors, and interference with custody cases.

U.S. nonprofit organizations leading strong, replicable community partnerships can apply for Mutual of America Foundation’s national Community Partnership Award program. Recognized collaborations that measurably improve lives and address significant social issues may be honored with one of six annual awards. Ohio organizations working on criminal justice or justice system reform through cross-sector partnerships may be competitive.

Ohio criminal justice and victim service agencies can access funding through the Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services to combat violent crimes against women and strengthen victim services. Grants support law enforcement, prosecution strategies, and services addressing sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence under the STOP Violence Against Women Act program.

Criminal justice agencies and local governments in Ohio can apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to support crime prevention, law enforcement, and related justice initiatives. Grants from Ohio Office of Criminal & Justice Services help fund evidence-based programs in areas like crime and justice, crisis intervention, reentry, juvenile justice, victim services, and violence prevention, with awards from US $4,553 - US $150,000.