Grants available for Youth Justice in California

The Youth Justice grant program focuses on addressing the systemic over-criminalization and incarceration of Black and Latino youth, seeking to replace punitive systems with approaches that prioritize youth and community development. This initiative specifically supports community-based organizations led by people of color. Recognizing the growing involvement of young women and girls of color in the justice system, the program also emphasizes the need for gender-responsive strategies in youth justice transformation. Funding is available for a range of efforts that promote systems change. This includes public policy and advocacy initiatives aimed at reducing the reliance on harmful punitive systems, increasing oversight and accountability of the youth justice system, and advocating for a shift toward youth development. Additionally, the grant supports youth-led community organizing and leadership development projects that promote understanding and demand for youth justice transformation, with a particular focus on skill-building for justice-involved youth in areas such as community organizing and policy analysis. Other funded activities include communications and narrative change efforts to reshape public perceptions of justice-involved youth, community-based participatory research led by youth, and projects that strategically align impact litigation with community organizing, policy advocacy, and research. The program does not fund Boys and Girls Clubs, domestic violence prevention, child abuse prevention, sex trafficking prevention, mentoring and after-school programs, youth development programs without a systems change focus, or standalone conferences. Several grantee organizations illustrate the types of projects supported. These include the Center for Young Women’s Development, which received $275,000 over three years for research, policy advocacy, and organizing efforts focused on the health and wellness of girls of color in California. The Vera Institute of Justice was awarded $250,000 over three years to support the Initiative to End Girls Incarceration in Santa Clara County. The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice received $300,000 over three years to advance youth justice system transformation through research, advocacy, and education. Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice secured $350,000 over three years for youth organizing, leadership development, and healing-centered prevention programs in Alameda County. The W. Haywood Burns Institute was awarded $125,000 for one year to provide technical assistance to the Los Angeles County Youth Justice Working Group. Specific application deadlines, contact information, and detailed submission requirements are not provided in the information shared. Interested applicants should seek direct contact with the funder for further instructions and timeline clarification.