Funding search · criminal justice reform · Illinois
Who funds criminal justice reform work in Illinois
15 funders have a record of paying for criminal justice reform work by Illinois recipients: 98 grants totaling $14.9M, most recently in 2024 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated) ($10.1M), Helen V Brach Foundation ($205,500) and The Andrew W Mellon Foundation ($2.1M).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Illinois recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated)Chicago, IL
37 matching grants · $10.1M · through 2024Largest: $400,000 to LAKE COUNTY ILLINOIS — to support lake county's participation in the safety and justice challenge, the foundation's criminal justice reform initiative to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way ame…
Largest: $15,000 to Viator House of Hospitality — for an operations manager for a program which provides a compassionate alternative to incarceration for asylum seekers
Largest: $1.0M to UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN — to continue to support prison education and reentry programs for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students through engagement with faculty, graduate, and undergraduate studen…
Accountable Justice Action FundAlbany, NYCharity · may take applications
7 matching grants · $480,000 · through 2023Largest: $130,000 to THE PEOPLE'S LOBBY — criminal justice reform
Largest: $33,000 to LLOYD R GASTON — to research the scope and impact of illinois' workers rights amendment to the illinois state constitution on incarcerated workers and to develop a know your rights curriculum and t…
United Workforce Development BoardPekin, ILCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $240,819 · through 2022Largest: $73,146 to GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS — to assist participants reentry after incarceration
The Chicago Community TrustChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $185,750 · through 2022Largest: $105,750 to Workers Center for Racial Justice NFP — general operating support, support for nonpartisan voter education, support for nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement, advocacy on policies that serve to reduce the raci…
Largest: $75,000 to RECIPE FOR CHANGE — earmarked for operating support for the culinary programing for the incarcerated
Largest: $111,160 to EQUITY & TRANSFORMATION — 80811 studying the impact of guaranteed income on formerly incarcerated people to inform legislative initiatives and policy implementation in illinois
Largest: $60,000 to ST LEONARD'S MINISTRIES — grace house transitional housing program for formerly incarcerated women
The Institute for IntergovernmentalTallahassee, FLCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $376,593 · through 2022Largest: $155,820 to COOK COUNTY HEALTH — opioid overdose prevention activities and care programs upon release from incarceration
Memorial Health System GroupSpringfield, ILCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $90,000 · through 2023Largest: $37,500 to SHIFTING INTO NEW GEAR (SING) — see part iv providing mentoring and resource navigation services to formerly incarcerated citizens returning to community and family life.
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Start with one paperBroader: criminal justice reform funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers