Micro Grants

Grant Funding Opportunity: In January 2024, The Colorado Restorative Justice Council will begin requesting applications for two types of micro-grants in Fiscal Year 2025.

General Guidelines

All applicants must meet the general guidelines below, along with any additional criteria outlined separately for the specific award type selected:

• Applicant located and proposing activities in Colorado
• One micro-grant application accepted for review per applicant per fiscal year
• No late or incomplete applications, including required attachments, will be considered 
• Award decisions are final, not subject to further review or appeal 
• Funding requests must fit within the grant contract period, estimated to begin July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2025 (Start date is the date of the signed contract) 
• Awards are reimbursement of expenses only. No funds will be released in advance
• No awards to individuals or for-profit entities, except direct services to Community Engagement or Capacity/Innovation projects that support community, regional or sector-wide initiatives)
• No funding of out-of-state travel 
• If Applicant plans to engage a facilitator, trainer or consultant – or Applicant is a professional proposing services to a target audience – attach a letter of understanding or agreement to document the mutual interest and availability of relevant persons, organizations, and/or representatives.
• If you are a Judicial District, please follow local and state guidelines for grant applications.
  • Judicial Districts must also have a community partner identified (letter of understanding attached) to act as the fiscal agent of grant funds
• An end-of-year report will be required, setting out use and impact of grant funds
• Applicants and related service providers are encouraged to create a profile on the Council’s website, if they are not already listed in the RJ provider directory www.rjcolorado.org  

 Priorities: 

• Highest priority in both grant categories will be given to proposals directly addressing diversity, equity, inclusion within Colorado communities, systems, and/or the RJ field itself 

Grant Types: To further our strategic vision to integrate restorative values and practices into as many contexts as possible, make restorative opportunities equitable across the diversities of persons who have been harmed and who have caused harm, and increase RJ practitioners who represent local community demographics and priorities, the Restorative Justice Council is funding two categories of micro-grants in FY25.  Anticipated funding dates July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 (If awarded, the start date is the date of the signed contract): 

Community Engagement Grants (between $1,000 – $10,000 per award)

These smaller grants are designed to support immediate community needs for critical conversations, networking, and basic operations for emerging or smaller-scale restorative initiatives. These are examples of possible activities suited to this grant category, including but not limited to: 

• Listening and/or dialogue processes within identified communities and/or between community and system representatives – such as law enforcement – to raise awareness and address racial and other social justice inequities
• Community engagement to strengthen relationships, develop strategic partnerships, and assess readiness to launch restorative initiatives in communities and/or systems
• Small-scale restorative and transformative justice projects – including alternatives to the traditional criminal justice approach- to prevent or address harm in identified communities 
• Consultation(s) related to start-up needs for restorative initiatives
• Cross-training, coaching and mentoring opportunities within and between Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities of practice and White practitioners/allies to share learning and strengthen relationships.

Capacity/Innovation Grants (between $10,001 – $65,000 per award)

These mid-size grants are designed to strengthen best practices in RJ across communities, regions, and the state. While individual organizations may apply for grants, this grant category is not intended for general operating support or capital expenses. The focus is capacity-building and innovation within programs – such as enhancing skills and operating systems to improve effectiveness, sustainability, fidelity to RJ values and principles, and forwarding equity and inclusion goals – as well as support for broader collaborative efforts across communities and sectors. These are examples of possible activities suited to this grant category, including but not limited to:

• Regional or sector-wide strategic networking, training or infrastructure development
• Develop/implement evidence-based research and data collection tools
• Organizational or system assessments (e.g., fidelity to best practices, equity-specific audits, i.e. barriers to access such as eligibility biases, language justice, etc.)
• Targeted strategies to increase under-represented groups within board and staff leadership, community volunteers, and client populations
• COVID-19 adjustments and innovations to program delivery
• Specialized trainings for professional development of board, staff and/or volunteers
• Explore/implement strategic transitions or collaborations (e.g., leadership succession, mergers, strategic networks, public-private partnerships)

Timeline for FY24 applications and awards:    

• January 2024: Request for Applications released
• 4 weeks from opening date 11:59pm: Deadline for completed applications
• Grant reviews will take place through March 2024
• May 1, 2024 (no later than): Awards announced
• July 1, 2024 (or as soon as possible): Anticipated start date for grant activities and reimbursements
• June 30, 2025: All funds must be expended