Funding search · criminal justice reform · Kentucky
Who funds criminal justice reform work in Kentucky
14 funders have a record of paying for criminal justice reform work by Kentucky recipients: 29 grants totaling $4.2M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated) ($1.1M), The Just Trust for Action ($470,000) and The Just Trust for Education ($800,000).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Kentucky recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated)Chicago, IL
5 matching grants · $1.1M · through 2024Largest: $250,000 to Council of State Governments — to support its continued participation as a strategic ally and focus on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness.
The Just Trust for ActionDurham, NCCharity · may take applications
5 matching grants · $470,000 · through 2024Largest: $120,000 to AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF KENTUCKY — project support for criminal justice reform advocacy in colorado
The Just Trust for EducationDurham, NCCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $800,000 · through 2023Largest: $400,000 to FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY — project support for criminal justice reform in kentucky
Largest: $500,000 to FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY — core support for the sycamore fund to reduce the region's reliance of incarceration and to support approaches to safety that build community wellbeing, including access to harm red…
Hands Healing HeartsFrankfort, KYCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $280,875 · through 2024Largest: $200,625 to WANDA JOYCE ROBINSON FOUNDATION — wanda joyce robinson foundation (wjrf) uses the grant to support personnel involved in their program serving children of incarcerated parents.
Largest: $150,875 to ST CLAIRE HEALTHCARE — to provide support to implement the first day forward program with men and women incarcerated for misdemeanor charges who self-identify as having substance use disorder. pathways p…
Justice Action NetworkWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $100,000 · through 2022Largest: $50,000 to Pegasus Institute Inc — partner support - criminal justice reform
Largest: $26,080 to GATEWAY CHILDREN'S SERVICES — support positive relationships for children, their incarcerated parents, and their caregivers
Largest: $20,000 to OPERATION OPEN ARMS INC — less restrictive approach for children whose mother's are seeking rehabilitation over incarceration
Coalition for Public SafetyWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $25,000 · through 2022Largest: $25,000 to Pegasus Institute Inc — support of criminal justice reform work
California Healthcare FoundationOakland, CACharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $25,000 · through 2021Largest: $25,000 to THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS — reducing homelessness for people with behavioral health conditions leaving incarceration
Vera Institute of JusticeBrooklyn, NYCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $10,000 · through 2022Largest: $10,000 to FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN KENTUCKY — in our backyards (project, which aims to protect and further national gains made toward unwinding mass incarceration by responding to deepening problems in overlooked communities a…
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Start with one paperBroader: criminal justice reform funders nationally · all Kentucky-based grantmakers