The Catalyst Grant Program supports the efforts of nonprofit organizations across the United States to use technology, data analysis, data visualization, and data dissemination to reform the criminal legal system and improve its outcomes for all people.

Who Can Apply?

Locally embedded 501(c)(3) organizations based in the US, excluding colleges and universities, are eligible to apply. In their proposals, lead organizations can include partner organizations that do not meet the eligibility criteria for lead organizations.

What Does the Program Offer?

• A chance to make a difference: make meaningful progress on racial equity and fairness where you live and work.
• Financial support: access funds to carry out your vision for a project in your community.
• Project support: receive expert assistance from Microsoft and Urban to help your project succeed.
• A peer network: join a community and share insights with passionate nonprofits working toward the same goals.
• A national platform: amplify your impact as the Catalyst Grant Program shares project stories with a national audience.

Grant Timing

Sign up to receive news on any future Catalyst RFP releases and other program updates.

As reference, the 2024 Request For Proposals and the 2024 Frequently Asked Questions document includes information and criteria from last year’s round additional information on these topics.

The program schedule for the 2024-2025 round is as follows:

• September 30, 2024: RFP release
• November 22, 2024: applications due
• April 2025: applicants notified
• May to June 2025: preparation phase
• July to December 2025: six-month project execution
   

Project Topics

We welcome creative strategies related to data and technology in local projects.

Proposed projects and activities must do the following:

• Advance equity and reform and decrease racial and ethnic disparities at the front end of the criminal legal system, which includes criminal legal system activities and relevant actors up to and including sentencing, as well as activities to prevent unnecessary criminal legal system involvement.
• Focus on adults (18 and older).
• Incorporate data and technology.
• Be locally focused, meaning focused on a specific geographic area where the participating organizations have connections and trust with relevant local communities.

Grants will not be given to projects that specifically focus on

• people younger than 18,
• people who are currently incarcerated,
• people returning from incarceration, or
• activities at the state or national levels.

Organizations that undertake ineligible activities as part of their missions are eligible for the Catalyst Grant Program if their proposed projects do not include ineligible populations and activities.