Innovative Programming Grant

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is offering the Innovative Programming Grant (IPG) for fiscal years 2025–2028 to fund nonprofit organizations delivering rehabilitative programs in correctional facilities. This grant program emphasizes restorative justice principles and accountability among incarcerated individuals. A total of $12 million is available for the grant period, with up to $4 million allocated annually. Each organization may request up to $250,000 per program per year, with a cumulative limit of $750,000 over three years. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations or those operating under a fiscal sponsor with nonprofit status. Organizations must either have demonstrated success in delivering programs in California state prisons or have experience providing programming in correctional settings. Programs should be evidence-based, promising practices, or practice-based approaches designed to meet specific needs of incarcerated individuals while promoting positive outcomes. Programs may be implemented at one or more of 14 specified institutions in California that are designated as underserved. Applicants can apply for multiple locations but must submit a separate budget for each site. Programs must admit participants regardless of security level, criminal history, or sentence length, adhering to institutional and legal guidelines. The application deadline is January 2, 2025, by 11:59 PM, and proposals must be submitted online. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget rate sheet, proof of nonprofit status, and documentation of fiscal responsibility. The proposal narrative should outline program needs, benefits, and expected outcomes, with a focus on restorative justice and incarcerated individual responsibility. Applicants are encouraged to provide details about program duration, participation criteria, and anticipated impacts. Awardees will participate in ongoing reporting and evaluation processes, including progress reports, annual financial reconciliations, and site visits by CDCR staff. Grant funding cannot be used for prohibited expenses such as lobbying, fundraising, or capital improvements. The grant period begins July 1, 2025, with implementation starting by September 1, 2025. For more information, interested organizations can contact CDCR at innovativegrants@cdcr.ca.gov. An optional conference call will be held to address application questions, and additional resources are available on the CDCR website. This grant represents a significant opportunity for organizations to expand innovative programming while contributing to rehabilitation and restorative justice efforts in California’s correctional system.