State Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is offering the Solid Waste Recycling Enhancement Act (REA) Higher Education Research Grant Program. This grant program is designed to fund projects that align with and support the objectives of the Recycling Enhancement Act. The core mission is to enhance existing resources, tools, or methodologies, or to create new ones, all in furtherance of the REA's goals. This initiative demonstrates a strategic priority to foster innovation and practical advancements in recycling within New Jersey, reflecting a theory of change that posits that targeted research and development will lead to improved recycling practices and outcomes for the state. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are New Jersey institutions of higher education. These institutions may implement projects in conjunction with, or by subcontracting or partnering with, other entities as permitted by law. The primary impact goal is to support the objectives of the REA through various projects. This includes enhancing the capabilities of the higher education sector to contribute to environmental sustainability, specifically in waste management and recycling. The program aims to leverage academic expertise to generate solutions that have tangible benefits for the state's recycling infrastructure and policies. The grant prioritizes projects in several key areas: recycling demonstration, research, or education, including professional training. This focus allows for a broad range of initiatives, from practical applications and pilot programs to in-depth academic studies and workforce development. The expected outcomes include the development of new or improved resources, tools, and methodologies that directly contribute to the objectives of the Recycling Enhancement Act. Measurable results could include, but are not limited to, new recycling technologies implemented, increased public or professional understanding of recycling best practices, and data-driven insights that inform future policy decisions. Approximately $1 million in grant funding has been allocated for this opportunity, with individual grant amounts ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. Awardees and grant amounts will be determined based on the strength of the proposal, adherence to selection criteria, and the availability of funds. The grant is designed to cover personnel costs (salaries/fringe benefits), other direct costs such as supplies, printing, mailings, mileage, and contractual services, as well as indirect costs. Indirect, fringe benefits, or administrative costs should be estimated using an approved negotiated cost agreement, or a rate of 10% of modified total direct costs if such an agreement is not available. This structure ensures that funded projects are adequately resourced to achieve their stated objectives and contribute effectively to the REA.

This grant offers financial support to Illinois police agencies from municipalities, counties, park districts, public universities, and all units of local government. The funding is intended for the reimbursement of expenses related to the purchase of in-car video cameras for law enforcement vehicles and officer-worn body cameras. It also covers data storage costs associated with the use of these cameras and training for law enforcement officers on how to operate the cameras. The grant emphasizes the importance of complying with all statutory obligations and training mandates to ensure eligibility for the reimbursement, which includes a specific cost limit per item and requires documentation like paid invoices or receipts for each reimbursable item.

This grant provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects that restore and enhance urban forested areas and riparian corridors, focusing on improving ecosystem health and resilience.

Grants are available for local law enforcement agencies to cover initial capital expenditures and other costs related to the expansion and support of the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and other ballistic technology equipment. This funding opportunity aims to assist agencies that have not yet purchased NIBIN equipment, or those needing expansion or support items. Grantees can request advance working capital to initiate or enhance their NIBIN program and may also seek reimbursement for additional funds to be used over the next two years.

Title II Juvenile Justice Council grants are specifically awarded to local juvenile justice councils to implement programs, policies and practices that improve the effectiveness of local juvenile justice systems, reduce unnecessary juvenile justice system involvement and/or analyze and reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) in each council’s local system. Because this model of local governance, collaboration and data-driven decision-making has proven effective, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission is allocating funding to support local juvenile justice councils and the development of data-driven, collaborative local juvenile justice plans which guide future system improvement efforts. The Illinois Juvenile Court Act provides that each county or group of counties may establish a local juvenile justice council [705 ILCS 405/6-12]. The purpose of this council, according to the Act, is “to provide a forum for the development of a community based interagency assessment of the local juvenile justice system, to develop a county juvenile justice plan for the prevention of juvenile delinquency, and to make recommendations to the county board, or county boards, for more effectively utilizing existing community resources in dealing with juveniles who are found to be involved in crime, or who are truant or have been suspended or expelled from school.” Through juvenile justice councils, the Act prescribes a response to juveniles in conflict with the law that is comprehensive, driven by data and analysis, and collaborative across all systems that touch these youth. As embodied in the Juvenile Court Act, Juvenile Justice Councils provide a structure to ensure that local jurisdictions respond to youth in conflict with the law in a manner which is data-driven, strategic, and focused on serving youth, families and communities in the most effective ways possible. Unfortunately, very few jurisdictions in Illinois have developed councils that operate in the manner envisioned in the Act. In some communities, youth become involved in the juvenile justice system unnecessarily because alternatives do not exist, or are not embedded within the system decision-making process. Because the needs and resources are different in each community in Illinois, a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to be very effective. Local councils are in the best position to craft solutions that meet the local community’s needs and take into account local resources. Empowering and supporting local juvenile justice councils can also stem the tide of racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile justice system at the front door and help ensure that no youth enters the juvenile justice system unnecessarily. Such local ownership is the best way to ensure more effective long-term programming and sustained systemic change. This, in turn, will reduce the costs associated with incarcerating youth in correctional facilities, reduce rates of recidivism, reduce the number of crime victims, and ultimately create safer communities in Illinois. Juvenile Justice Youth Serving Programs: The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides funding directly to states through its Title II Formula Grants Program (Title II) to support state and local delinquency prevention, intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. These funds are used to help states implement comprehensive state juvenile justice plans based on detailed studies of needs in their jurisdictions. State Advisory Groups, comprised of members appointed by the governor, set priorities for funded activities. The State Advisory Group for Illinois, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC), administers the Title II funds. These funds support a broad range of juvenile justice activities at the state and local level that are designed to improve the juvenile justice system through the development of more effective education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment, and rehabilitation programs in the area of juvenile delinquency. These programs or projects can be designed to be developed, implemented and evaluated directly or through grants and contracts with public and private agencies. Title II also funds state and local activities designed to ensure and maintain the state's compliance with the Core Requirements of the JJDPA. • Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) • Adult Jail and Lock-Up Removal (Jail Removal) • "Sight and Sound" Separation • Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED); In some communities, youth become involved in the juvenile justice system unnecessarily because alternatives do not exist or are not embedded within the system decision-making process. Because the needs and resources are different in each community in Illinois, a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to be very effective. Local juvenile justice systems and community-based providers are in prime position to craft solutions and develop youth serving programs that meet the local community's needs and take into account local resources. Empowering and supporting local youth programming can also stem the tide of racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile justice system at the front door and help ensure that no youth enters the juvenile justice system unnecessarily. Investing in local communities will reduce the costs associated with incarcerating youth in correctional facilities, reduce rates of recidivism, reduce the number of crime victims, and ultimately create safer communities in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for solar and storage projects that benefit low- to moderate-income households in affordable housing across New York, helping to overcome barriers and promote equitable access to renewable energy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Minnesota public entities for planning and designing upgrades to outdated water infrastructure in environmental justice areas, helping to reduce sewer overflows and improve stormwater management.

The FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program is a $5 million fund aimed at helping fire departments across the Commonwealth purchase essential safety equipment that meets NFPA and OSHA standards, with applications open from September 19 to October 17, 2024.

The SFY 2025 Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program (DVUP), funded by the State of Maryland through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to significantly reduce or minimize the time between the issuance of interim and temporary protective orders and their entry into the Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System/National Crime Information Center (METERS/NCIC). This initiative supports the office's objective of enhancing the availability and speed of information to support data-driven approaches to criminal justice issues in Maryland. The program has been institutionalized by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and continues to offer grants to local law enforcement agencies to enhance service efforts and ensure compliance with Family Law Article sections. The program anticipates making no more than 10 awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for the fiscal year 2025.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations and government entities in Indiana to implement programs that divert at-risk youth from the juvenile justice system through restorative justice and evidence-based practices.

This grant program is designed to respond to incidents of family violence, intimate partner stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence, and to develop and strengthen victim services in Maryland. With a total funding of $3,000,000, it aims to support state and local government agencies, non-profit non-governmental victim services programs, faith-based and community organizations, and the state domestic violence coalition.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tribal Nations in Arizona to address the impacts of fraudulent practices in sober living homes, helping to compensate affected individuals and promote recovery initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Indiana-based organizations and agencies working to improve services and responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, particularly for underserved communities.

The Tennessee Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Assistance Program, announced by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), is a grant opportunity provided in partnership with the Forest Service. This program aims to promote the creation, enhancement, and protection of urban and community forest ecosystems throughout Tennessee, supporting full-circle management of these valuable resources. The broader mission alignment for this program is rooted in fostering sustainable and healthy communities through environmental stewardship, which aligns with the strategic priorities of both the Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program targets units of local governments (city, town, county), non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, and public educational institutions. Community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, or civic groups that are not 501(c)3 organizations are also eligible if they apply in partnership with a non-profit or local government. The impact goals are to integrate U&CF principles into planning, promote the role of U&CF in human health and wellness, cultivate diversity and leadership in the U&CF community, strengthen forest health and biodiversity, improve management and stewardship, and increase funding for U&CF initiatives. Key priorities for projects include extreme heat mitigation, urban wood utilization, urban food forests, and workforce development. The program also emphasizes increasing public awareness and environmental education to promote stewardship, as well as engaging with communities under the Justice40 initiative through outreach, education, and technical and financial assistance. This focus reflects a strategic theory of change that links targeted interventions in urban forestry to broader improvements in public health, environmental resilience, and social equity within Tennessee communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include facilitating strong partnerships among various governmental and non-profit entities, increasing awareness and practice of full-circle management in urban forests, and improving community preparedness for natural disasters. The program also seeks to increase the number of communities participating in Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs and to increase awareness of the numerous benefits of trees, such as those related to extreme heat mitigation and stormwater management. Applicants can apply for amounts between $5,000 and $40,000, with projects expected to be completed within one year. Eligible projects encompass urban and community forestry management, tree planting, program development or capacity building, urban and community wood utilization, and workforce development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Delaware for essential facility improvements, such as renovations and safety upgrades, to enhance their operational capabilities and accessibility.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that create job training and education programs for vulnerable populations in California, including English Language Learners, justice-involved individuals, opportunity youth, and veterans, to help them achieve economic stability and career advancement.

The Humanities Project Grants, administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), aim to support public humanities projects that encourage contemplation, spark conversation, and engage the community. This aligns with a broader mission to explore the human experience through educational programming. The program's strategic priority is to use humanities as a central resource to involve and benefit diverse groups of Iowans, fostering public value through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include federally tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations incorporated and physically located in Iowa, or in border state communities demonstrating significant impact on Iowa's cultural vitality. Units of local, county, or federally-recognized tribal governments physically located in Iowa are also eligible, as are units within Iowa-based institutions of higher education with a core humanities mission. Individual filmmakers or humanities experts who are current, legal Iowa residents are also eligible, provided their projects are initiated and managed by the individual and do not primarily benefit an organization. The impact goal is to involve and benefit diverse groups of Iowans through educational programming exploring the human experience. The program prioritizes projects where humanities are central and demonstrate public value to Iowans. Eligible projects span various formats, including community discussions, lecture series, workshops, films, interpretive exhibits, and podcasts. While creative or performing arts projects may be eligible, they must serve as a catalyst for a humanities-centric project and include interpretation and/or discussion of the art. Subject areas considered include archaeology, comparative religion, cultural anthropology, ethics, folklore, gender studies, history, jurisprudence, languages, law, linguistics, literature, philosophy, and the interpretation of the arts, as well as aspects of social sciences that explore humanity and meaning within communities. Expected outcomes include increased public engagement with humanities topics and enhanced cultural vitality across Iowa. Projects are expected to benefit diverse groups of Iowans through educational programming. Measurable results would likely stem from the types of eligible projects, such as attendance at community discussions, lecture series, or workshops, or the reach of films, exhibits, or podcasts. The funding period for all project activities and expenses is November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 to cover eligible one-time project expenses. The program's theory of change posits that by funding accessible and engaging public humanities projects, it will foster deeper contemplation, conversation, and community engagement, ultimately enriching the human experience for Iowans.

This funding opportunity provides financial resources to local law enforcement agencies involved in drug task forces to enhance their collaboration with treatment and education providers in addressing the drug epidemic and promoting recovery strategies.

This funding opportunity is designed to help Indiana counties and organizations create plans for community-based programs that divert youth from the juvenile justice system through restorative and collaborative approaches.