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Urban Institute Request for Proposals for 2024-2025 Catalyst Grant Program in USA (Grants up to $40,000)

Urban Institute Request for Proposals for 2024-2025 Catalyst Grant Program in USA (Grants up to $40,000)

The Catalyst Grant Program is a collaboration between the Urban Institute and the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations to use data and technology to advance racial equity and reform in the adult criminal legal system.

Racism and racial biases are deeply embedded in the criminal legal system, leading to disproportionate harm to communities of color. Even brief legal system involvement can result in lost employment and housing, burdensome fines and fees, and destabilized family relationships.

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.? 

 

About Urban Institute

The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that provides data and evidence to help advance upward mobility and equity. We are a trusted source for changemakers who seek to strengthen decisionmaking, create inclusive economic growth, and improve the well-being of families and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered facts that inspire solutions—and this remains our charge today. Our Mission To drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions. Our Vision A future where every person and every community have the opportunity and powe... continue reading

Urban Institute


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Urban Institute Catalyst Grant Program

Application Deadline22 Nov 2024
Value$40,000
Country to studyUnited States
School to studyUrban Institute
TypeFellowship
Course to studyView courses
SponsorUrban Institute
GenderMen and Women

Aim and Benefits of Urban Institute Catalyst Grant Program

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.? 

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. 


Urban Institute Catalyst Grant Program Courses


Requirements for Urban Institute Catalyst Grant Program Qualification

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. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for Urban Institute Catalyst Grant Program

RFP Issue Date

Monday, September 30, 2024

Deadline for Proposals

Friday, November 22, 2024, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Webinar: RFP Overview 

An optional informational webinar will be held October 16, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (register here).

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 will be available on October 22 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (register here) and October 24 from 11:00 am to Noon Eastern Standard Time (register here).   

Deadline for Questions

Additional useful details are available in the FAQs. ?You may also send questions to [email protected].? 

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

  • Notice of decision to all applicants: April 2025
  • Project awards to selected organizations: April 2025

Timing of Project Activities

Overall project activity timeline: May 2025–December 2025

  • Preparation phase: May 2025–June 2025
  • Project execution (with project assistance and cohort activities): July 2025–December 2025

Application Deadline

November 22, 2024


How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Urban Institute on catalystapplications.urban.org to apply

The Request for Proposals for 2024-2025 is now open! Applications are due November 22, 2024. 

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.

For more details visit: Urban Institute website.

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