Behind a New Initiative to Reform Parole and Probation Nationwide

Behind a New Initiative to Reform Parole and Probation Nationwide

Too often, the gains made by former prisoners in creating new lives for themselves risk being washed away by inflexible systems of parole and probation. With 4.5 million Americans under such supervision, we look at what two foundations are doing to advance reform.

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What Went Wrong With This Foundation-Backed Effort to Lower Jail Populations?

What Went Wrong With This Foundation-Backed Effort to Lower Jail Populations?

While there’s a lot of funding action around criminal justice reform, grantmaking efforts don’t always go as planned. A bail reform push that misfired in Washington State provides some important lessons for foundations and government agencies alike.

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A Funder Helps L.A. Use the Arts to Advance Juvenile Justice Reform

A Funder Helps L.A. Use the Arts to Advance Juvenile Justice Reform

As the push to keep kids out of the criminal justice system gains steam, the Art for Justice Fund is backing an ambitious effort to increase access to the arts for at-risk and justice system-involved youth in Los Angeles.

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As Hopes Rise for Criminal Justice Reform, This Fund Keeps the Grants Flowing

As Hopes Rise for Criminal Justice Reform, This Fund Keeps the Grants Flowing

The Art for Justice Fund was launched last year to help end mass incarceration and has already given away $40 million. We take a closer look at the fund's model against a backdrop of fast-moving political developments.

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Red State, Blue Causes: The Local Foundation Pursuing an Equity Agenda in Ohio

Red State, Blue Causes: The Local Foundation Pursuing an Equity Agenda in Ohio

Ohio helped swing the 2016 election to Donald Trump, and the GOP controls both the governorship and state legislature there. But the Gordon Gund Foundation keeps working against the tide to advance a progressive agenda.

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A Moral and Practical Imperative: A Women's Foundation Fights Mass Incarceration

A Moral and Practical Imperative: A Women's Foundation Fights Mass Incarceration

Women are now the fastest-growing population of incarcerated Americans. The New York Women’s Foundation, the latest funder to take on mass incarceration, has launched a Justice Fund focused on NYC’s women and girls.

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Momentum: With Gains on Criminal Justice Reform, More Grants Flow From a Top Funder

Momentum: With Gains on Criminal Justice Reform, More Grants Flow From a Top Funder

The MacArthur Foundation’s investment in reforming U.S. jails is now approaching $150 million. It’s increasing funding amid what it says are “promising results and an appetite for more reform” among local officials.

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Changing Hearts and Minds: How the Art For Justice Fund Hopes to Reduce Mass Incarceration

Changing Hearts and Minds: How the Art For Justice Fund Hopes to Reduce Mass Incarceration

Helena Huang, project director for the Art for Justice Fund, talks about how the fund’s latest round of grantmaking supports its goal of changing public policy to safely reduce the U.S. prison population.

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Next Up in the Ballmer Group's Opportunity Push: Taking on Youth Incarceration

Next Up in the Ballmer Group's Opportunity Push: Taking on Youth Incarceration

Backstopped by a $40 billion tech fortune, the Ballmer Group continues to expand in new directions, making big gifts of unrestricted support. Here’s a look at its latest major move.

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After Parkland, a Regional Funder Gives to Youth Advocacy and Gun Reform

After Parkland, a Regional Funder Gives to Youth Advocacy and Gun Reform

Even before the shooting in Parkland, Florida, funders were backing local approaches to curbing gun violence. Now, some—like Cal Wellness—are looking to fuel the new student activism on guns and other issues.

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Disrupting Bail: An Innovative Criminal Justice Reform Idea Gains Momentum—And Funders

Disrupting Bail: An Innovative Criminal Justice Reform Idea Gains Momentum—And Funders

In the fight against American mass incarceration, bail reform has become a top priority. We get the inside scoop on the Bail Project, which has pulled in millions in funding with a simple idea: pay defendants’ bail.

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A Health Funder Puts Women of Color Front and Center of Latest Work

A Health Funder Puts Women of Color Front and Center of Latest Work

Women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and the harsh practices of the criminal justice system. Now, this group is getting new help around these issues from a top funder in California.

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With the Backing of Top Funders, This Group is Taking the Criminal Justice System to Court

With the Backing of Top Funders, This Group is Taking the Criminal Justice System to Court

Civil Rights Corps is taking a confrontational approach to criminal justice reform, using litigation to challenge money bail and other unfair practices. Some powerful funders have swung behind the group.

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Data vs. Crime: How a Billionaire Donor Is Partnering With Chicago to Stem the Violence

Data vs. Crime: How a Billionaire Donor Is Partnering With Chicago to Stem the Violence

Hedge funder Ken Griffin has teamed up with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to back next-gen data analysis to improve policing. It's yet another example of philanthropy supporting innovative civic projects.

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Who’s Behind a New Reporting Initiative on Guns in America?

Who’s Behind a New Reporting Initiative on Guns in America?

Can better journalism help more Americans find common ground on a hotly divisive issue? The Kendeda Fund thinks so. It's backing ideologically diverse reporting on guns even as it plugs into the Parkland movement.

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Writing for Change: Behind a New Fellowship Focused on Mass Incarceration

Writing for Change: Behind a New Fellowship Focused on Mass Incarceration

With seed money from Agnes Gund’s Art for Change fund, a new fellowship positions the written word as an important way to help tackle issues related to mass incarceration.

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The Last Mile: A Wealthy Couple Focuses at Home and Abroad

The Last Mile: A Wealthy Couple Focuses at Home and Abroad

Financier Chris Flowers and his wife Anne have zeroed in on challenges far away in southern Africa and close to home in Harlem. What's the connection? And how does the J.C. Flowers Foundation operate? 

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In California, These Funders Want to Keep Kids Out of the Criminal Justice System

In California, These Funders Want to Keep Kids Out of the Criminal Justice System

Los Angeles County incarcerates more young people than anywhere else in the nation and most of them are kids of color. A group of local funders is pressing for reform. 

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Turning Point? Philanthropy vs. Gun Violence After the Parkland Shooting

Turning Point? Philanthropy vs. Gun Violence After the Parkland Shooting

New grassroots energy following the latest mass shooting has attracted celebrity donors and spurred hopes for reform. But longstanding funders in this space also see an opening for gains. 

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Redemption: An Accelerator Puts Former Inmates in the Driver's Seat

Redemption: An Accelerator Puts Former Inmates in the Driver's Seat

Once they're out of prison, many former inmates find themselves locked out of the very opportunities that'll keep them from returning. This program aims to change that by empowering social entrepreneurs.

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