Applications Open for New Innovation Fund Grants

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on 05/01/2018

There is tremendous local-level innovation occurring across the country aimed at reducing incarceration and making the criminal justice system more fair and effective at protecting communities. To support such innovative thinking nationwide, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has partnered with the Urban Institute to launch the Innovation Fund. The purpose of the Innovation Fund is to foster and support innovative ideas from local jurisdictions that are consistent with the goals of MacArthur’s Safety and Justice Challenge to reduce over-incarceration in America while maintaining or enhancing public safety, with a particular focus on addressing disproportionate justice impact on low-income individuals and communities of color. In 2017, 20 jurisdictions were selected to join the initial cohort of Innovation Fund participants.

To build on the momentum generated by the Innovation Fund work to date, MacArthur and Urban are announcing a second Innovation Fund competition. Innovation Fund sites will receive a grant of $50,000 and technical assistance and peer learning support in their efforts to rethink justice systems and implement data-driven strategies to safely reduce jail populations. Agencies, organizations, and other entities interested in applying for the Innovation Fund can access the program and grant application details at https://innovation-fund.fluidreview.com/. We will be hosting informational webinars on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 from 12:00pm-1:00pm ET or Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 1:00pm-2:00pm ET (registration required). Applications are due June 15, 2018.