We know the pathway to progress is often not a straight line. Wins aren’t always apparent or easy to measure. The Hollywood-ending moments, the quieter triumphs, and the lessons in disguise are all progress in our book. We fight for the biggest thing we can—without letting perfect be the enemy of good. And we use every tool in our toolbox.
Justice reform organizations and their day-to-day operations at the state and national level—with a focus on impacted leaders and state-based activities.
We work to provide stable, largely multi-year general operating funds to help criminal justice reform advocacy organizations across the country do what they do best. For multi-issue organizations, we provide project support for criminal justice reform advocacy work.
Supporting bold front-end (pre-arrest & pre-trial) models for preventing crime, repairing harm, centering accountability, and strengthening communities.
Creating inroads and weaving connections between funders, decision makers, and experts to channel resources, expertise, and ultimately maximize impact.
Investment in key advocacy moments—from public education to ballot measures—with a bounded timeline and goals.
News media infrastructure and narrative work that helps elevate justice reform and shifts the way we talk and think about the system.
Critical moment of crisis or opportunity.
The Safer Communities Accelerator supports a growing community of organizations that are advancing innovative models for preventing crime, repairing harm, and building stronger, safer communities.
Learn More →Our State by State funding initiative is focused on building up criminal justice reform advocacy infrastructure in all 50 states. With access to sustained, flexible funding, advocacy groups on the ground can be more nimble and responsive to needs and opportunities in their communities—whatever they might be.
Learn More →JUMP is more than a program, more than a leg up, more than a chance for something better. JUMP is a bridge between people and businesses, between scraping by and flying, between our past and future relationship to justice involvement in America.
Learn More →Element Labs brings together the latest messaging research, mindset data, and tools to support the field in reshaping public opinion around criminal justice reform. It provides actionable insights that bridge the gap between understanding public beliefs and implementing effective strategies.
Learn More →Grantmaking is one of The Just Trust’s core activities. We fund organizations working across the country and across the political spectrum working to advance a better vision for justice and safety in America.
We support advocacy efforts, media and narrative change projects, and innovative solutions that will move the country toward a more modern, efficient, humane and dignified justice system.
At this time our grantmaking is invitation only.
