Catalyst Grant Program
Request for Proposals and Application Portal
Issues around inequality and the criminal legal system pose fundamental societal questions about bias, fairness, and equity. Racism and racial biases are embedded in the criminal legal system and lead to disproportionate harm to communities of color, particularly Black communities. The Urban Institute and the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative are collaborating on the Catalyst Grant Program to help organizations address these inequities by using data and technology to advance racial equity and reform at the front end of the adult criminal legal system.
We are seeking proposals for local projects that advance the focus areas of the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative, which include supporting policies, programs, and practices that prevent unnecessary system involvement and decrease racial and ethnic disparities at the front end of the criminal legal system (i.e., criminal legal system activities and relevant actors up to and including sentencing). We look forward to hearing from organizations across the United States who want to join the 85 current and past grantees as they work to deploy technology and analysis, visualization, and dissemination of data toward better systems and outcomes for all people.
Why Apply?
- Make a Difference: Make meaningful progress on racial equity and fairness where you live and work.
- Financial Support: Access funds to carry out your project vision in your community.
- Project Support: Receive expert assistance from Urban and Microsoft to help your project succeed.
- Peer Network: Join a community and share insights with passionate nonprofits working toward the same goals.
- National Platform: Amplify your impact as the Catalyst Grant Program shares project stories with a national audience.
A summary of the Program Requirements, Key Dates, and How to Learn More is below.
You can access the full Request for Proposals (RFP) here and FAQs here (PDF).
The required Budget Spreadsheet is here.
Proposals are due Friday, November 22, 2024.
Sign Up to receive notifications of FAQ updates, webinar reminders, and other deadlines. (This registration is not required to apply for the grant.) You can also register for and view informational webinars: an RFP Overview (recording and slides) and technology workshops (recording and slides).
Catalyst Grant Program Summary | |
Purpose of Solicitation | To support local activities related to advancing racial equity and reform at the front end of the adult criminal legal system through data and technology. |
Lead Organization Eligibility | Locally embedded 501(c)(3) organizations based in the U.S., excluding colleges and universities. We have a focus on those organizations embedded in communities of color, particularly Black communities. Lead organizations may include in their proposals partner organizations that do not meet lead-organization eligibility criteria. |
Award and Benefits | Selected applicants will receive $40,000 in grant funds; assistance on data, policy, and community engagement from the Urban Institute; access to Microsoft technology and related support; and peer learning opportunities. |
RFP Issue Date | Monday, September 30, 2024 |
Deadline for Proposals | Friday, November 22, 2024, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time |
Application Process and Content | You will need to register and submit your application through this grant application website. A full list of application questions and instructions are in appendix A of the RFP. Given word limits for the 10 narrative questions, application responses are expected to total roughly five pages. |
Project Topic Requirements | Projects must focus on reform and racial equity at the front end of the criminal legal system (i.e., criminal legal system activities and relevant actors up to and including sentencing and activities to prevent unnecessary criminal legal system involvement). Projects must also incorporate data and technology and be locally focused. Additional information on eligibility is provided in the Project Topic Requirements section of the RFP and in the FAQs. Grants will not be given to projects that specifically focus on:
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Webinar: RFP Overview | An optional informational webinar was held October 16, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (recording and slides). |
Microsoft Technology Use: Benefits and Workshop | Projects are not required to use Microsoft technology, but projects that use Microsoft technology in ways that are integral to the proposed data and technology activities will be eligible for additional in-kind technology access and support. Workshops to assist in learning about relevant Microsoft technology solutions were held on October 22 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time and October 24 from 11:00 am to Noon Eastern Standard Time (recording and slides). |
Deadline for Questions | Additional useful details are available in the FAQs. You may also send questions to catalystapplications@urban.org. The deadline for submitting questions about project topics, eligibility, or other RFP content is Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. We will be posting FAQ updates on the grant application website and the Urban Institute will continue to answer technical questions related to the grant application website until the proposal deadline. |
Notice of Decision to Applicants and Project Award |
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Timing of Project Activities | Overall project activity timeline: May 2025–December 2025
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