Catalyst Grant Program

Overview

Background

Issues around inequality and the criminal legal system pose fundamental societal questions about bias, fairness, and equity. Racism and racial biases are embedded in the criminal legal system and lead to disproportionate harm to communities of color, particularly the Black community.

The Urban Institute and the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative are collaborating on the Catalyst Grant Program to help nonprofits address these inequities by using data and technology to advance racial equity and reform at the front end of the adult criminal legal system.

Purpose of Solicitation

To support local activities related to advancing racial equity and reform in the front end of the adult criminal legal system through data and technology.

Projects must focus on reform and racial equity in the front end of the criminal legal system (i.e., prevention, policing, and prosecution). Projects must also incorporate data and technology and be locally focused.

Award and Benefits

Selected applicants will receive $40,000 in grant funds; assistance on data, policy, and community engagement from the Urban Institute; access to Microsoft technology and related support; and peer learning opportunities.

Eligibility

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Application Details

catalysttwi
Catalyst Grant Program
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Issued 9/30/2024
Purpose of Solicitation To support local activities related to advancing racial equity and
reform at the front end of the adult criminal legal system through
data and technology.
Lead-Organization Locally embedded 501(c)(3) organizations based in the US,
Eligibility excluding colleges and universities. We have a focus on those
organizations embedded in communities of color, particularly Black
communities. Lead organizations may include in their proposals
partner organizations that do not meet lead-organization eligibility
criteria.
Award and Benefits Selected applicants will receive $40,000 in grant funds; assistance
on data, policy, and community engagement from the Urban
Institute; access to Microsoft technology and related support; and
peer-learning opportunities.
RFP Issue Date Monday, September 30, 2024
Deadline for Proposals Friday, November 22, 2024, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Application Process and You will need to register and submit your application through the
Content grant application website: https://catalystapplications.urban.org. A
full list of application questions and instructions are in appendix A.
Given word limits for the 10 narrative questions, application
responses are expected to total roughly five pages.
Project Topic Projects must focus on reform and racial equity at the front end of
Requirements the criminal legal system (i.e., criminal legal system activities and

relevant actors up to and including sentencing and activities to
prevent unnecessary criminal legal system involvement). Projects
must also incorporate data and technology and be locally focused.
Additional information on eligibility is provided in the Project Topic
Requirements section and in the FAQs.
Grants will not be given to projects that specifically focus on
• people under 18 years of age,
• people who are currently incarcerated,
• people returning from incarceration, or
• activities at the state or national level.
Register for Grant Register to receive notifications of FAQ updates, webinar
Program Updates reminders, and other deadlines. (This registration is not required to
apply for the grant.)
Webinar: RFP Overview An optional informational webinar will be held October 16, 2024,
from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (register here).
Microsoft Technology Projects are not required to use Microsoft technology, but projects
Use: Benefits and that use Microsoft technology in ways that are integral to the
Workshop proposed data and technology activities will be eligible for
additional in-kind technology access and support.
Workshops to assist in learning about relevant Microsoft
technology solutions will be available on October 22 from 4:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (register here) and
October 24 from 11:00 a.m. to noon Eastern Standard Time
(register here).
Deadline for Questions Additional useful details are available in the FAQs. You can also
send questions to catalystapplications@urban.org.
The deadline for submitting questions about project topics,
eligibility, or other RFP content is Wednesday, November 13, 2024
at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. We will be posting FAQ
updates on the grant application website and the Urban Institute
2

will continue to answer technical questions related to the grant
application website until the proposal deadline.
Notice of Decision to • Notice of decision to all applicants: April 2025
Applicants and Project • Project awards to selected organizations: April 2025
Awards
Timing of Project • Overall project activity timing: May 2025–December 2025
Activities Preparation phase: May 2025–June 2025
o
Project execution (with project assistance and
o
cohort activities): July 2025–December 2025
3

Contents
Program Overview ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Organization Eligibility ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Project Topic Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. 7
The Role of Data and Technology in Projects .............................................................................................................. 9
Use of Funds .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Expectations of Awardees ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Learn More ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Application Process ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Notice of Awards and Program Timeline ................................................................................................................... 15
About the Catalyst Grant Program .............................................................................................................................. 16
Appendix A: Full Application Process and Content .................................................................................................. 18
Appendix B: Microsoft Technology Benefits ............................................................................................................. 27
Appendix C: Expectations for Equitable, Ethical, and Responsible Use of Data and Technology .................. 32
4 Register and apply: catalystapplications.urban.org

Program Overview
Issues around inequality and the criminal legal system pose fundamental societal questions about bias,
fairness, and equity. Racism and racial biases are embedded in the criminal legal system and lead to
disproportionate harm to communities of color, particularly Black communities. Research shows that Black
people are more likely to be arrested and experience vehicle and pedestrian stops than white people, they
disproportionately experience injury and death in police interactions, and they are ultimately incarcerated
for longer periods. Even brief incarceration or unnecessary involvement with the legal system can have
negative impacts including lost employment and housing, burdensome fines and fees, and destabilized
family relationships, which in turn can compound disparities and inequity in communities.1
Local organizations are at the forefront of systemic change in the criminal legal system. With improved
access to relevant data and technology, communities can inform and improve policies and practices that
advance equity and fairness in the criminal legal system. Data analysis, visualization, and dissemination and
responsible deployment of technology can help communities share experiences; inform, organize, and
advocate for change; and implement programs and track progress toward better systems and outcomes
for all people.
The Urban Institute and Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative are collaborating on the Catalyst Grant
Program to help organizations use data and technology to advance racial equity and reform at the front
end of the criminal legal system.
We are seeking project proposals that advance the focus areas of the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative,
which include supporting policies, programs, and practices that prevent unnecessary system involvement
and decrease racial and ethnic disparities at the front end of the adult criminal legal system.
We are building on the impact of 91 grantees across four previous cohorts across the US.
The goals of the Catalyst Grant Program include the following:
 To create a space for locally embedded nonprofit organizations to implement data- and technology-
focused projects to advance racial equity and reform at the front end of the criminal legal system.
 To enhance the technological and data capacity of nonprofit organizations focused on promoting
justice and racial equity through project assistance, peer-learning opportunities, and financial
support.
1 Susan Nembhard and Lily Robin, “Racial and Ethnic Disparities throughout the Criminal Legal System,”
Urban Institute, August 18, 2021, https://www.urban.org/research/publication/racial-and-ethnic-
disparities-throughout-criminal-legal-system
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 To disseminate innovative practices and lessons learned during implementation to stakeholders
throughout the criminal legal reform community.
Those selected to participate in the Catalyst Grant Program will benefit from the following:
 $40,000 in funding to support project implementation expenses during the grant period
 light-touch expert project assistance on data, policy, and community engagement from Urban as
needed
 access to Microsoft technology for nonprofits and related support as needed (see appendix B)
 virtual peer-learning opportunities with Urban, Microsoft, and other awardees
 amplification of their work through public-facing communications such as blogs, webinars, and
conference panels
Organization Eligibility
Lead-Applicant Organizations
Eligibility requirements for lead-applicant organizations are as follows:
 Lead applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in the United States.
 Colleges and universities are not eligible to be lead organizations but can be partner organizations
with eligible lead organizations.
 Any organization that, as of January 2, 2025, is executing a project funded by the Microsoft Justice
Reform Initiative outside of the Catalyst Program is not eligible to be a lead applicant but can be a
partner organization with an eligible lead organization.
Each organization may submit only one application.
We are seeking lead organizations that are locally embedded with demonstrated relationships, trust, and
connections with the communities where project activities will occur and with those impacted by the
policies, programs, or practices that are the focus of the project.
Trust and connections can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including in collaborative relationships
and activities with individuals and other community organizations in your local area and/or with groups
representing the communities the project serves; by engaging community members and people with
relevant lived experiences in project execution, programmatic decisionmaking, agenda setting, and other
meaningful activities in your organization; having leadership, staff, or board members who reflect the
6 Register and apply: catalystapplications.urban.org

communities relevant to your project; and through other approaches that enable communities to bring
critical perspectives to system-reform efforts.
Understanding that inequities in the criminal legal system disproportionately affect communities of color
and particularly Black communities, organizations that demonstrate trusted relationships with communities
of color are encouraged to apply.
We also encourage small community-based organizations to apply.
Partner Organizations and Individuals
 A partner is any organization or individual outside of the lead-applicant organization that is
providing personnel or expertise necessary to key project tasks or deliverables, whether paid or
unpaid.
 All partner organizations and individuals playing key roles in the proposed activities must be on the
application, and their roles described in the proposal.
 As part of the application, you must provide a participation letter from each partner that outlines
the project role as described in the proposal and confirms their commitment to participate (it is
permissible for two or more partners to submit one participation letter, as long as it clearly explains
each partner’s role). This includes partners that are paid or unpaid partners and organizations or
individuals.
 Organizations eligible to be partners include the following:
» local, state, and national nonprofit organizations, with or without 501(c)(3) status
» colleges and universities (public and nonprofit)
» local and state governments
» for-profit organizations
 The above organizations can receive funding as part of the grant with the exception of local and
state governments and their employees; they can be partners in proposed projects but cannot
receive funds.
 Individuals can be partners on an application and can receive funding as part of the grant.
Project Topic Requirements
Proposed projects and activities must do the following:
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 Advance equity and reform and decrease racial and ethnic disparities at the front end of the criminal
legal system:
» In the Catalyst Grant Program, the front end of the criminal legal system comprises
criminal legal system activities and relevant actors up to and including sentencing, as well
as activities to prevent unnecessary criminal legal system involvement.
» Some examples of front-end topics include community violence intervention and
prevention initiatives; coresponder and alternative-to-police response; diversion from
arrest, sentencing, or incarceration; law enforcement activities; charging, bail, and
sentencing decisions in criminal court; court appearances and warrants; fines and fees
related to criminal court and charges; resentencing in criminal court; pretrial conditions;
the behaviors of court actors such as judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys; and
criminal court case processing.
 Focus on adults (18 and older).
 Incorporate data and technology.
 Be locally focused, meaning focused on a specific geographic area where the participating
organizations have connections and trust with relevant local communities. A geographic area could,
for example, be one or more neighborhoods, a city, a county, or a tribal area.
Ineligible Topics and Activities
Grants will not be given to projects that specifically focus on the following:
 people younger than 18
 people who are currently incarcerated
 people returning from incarceration
 activities at the state or national levels
Projects supported by Catalyst must be grounded in criminal legal system institutions, programs, or
policies, or use models focused primarily on preventing criminal legal system contact or reducing violence
in communities. We will not consider projects focused on areas outside of the criminal legal system, such
as employment, youth development, education, or health care, although we recognize their value and
contributions to equity and safety in local communities.
Organizations that undertake ineligible activities as part of their missions are eligible for the Catalyst Grant
Program if their proposed projects do not include ineligible populations and activities. If your organization
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is active in the ineligible areas, please ensure that the description of your proposed project clearly explains
how the work will focus on eligible topics and populations.
More Information
Additional information about these project topic eligibility criteria is available in the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) document available on the grant application website, and specific questions about the
eligibility of your project topic can be directed to Catalyst program staff as described in the Learn More
section of this RFP.
The Role of Data and Technology in Projects
We are open to creative strategies for using data and technology, but examples of how projects could
incorporate them include the following:
 data acquisition (e.g., collecting, extracting, and cleaning existing or new data)
 data analysis (e.g., calculating descriptive statistics, calculating point-in-time statistics, examining
disparities by race or geography, interpreting indicator trends, identifying themes from focus groups
or interview data)
 data visualization and design (e.g., designing online tools, automating fact sheets, designing data-
focused education and engagement materials)
 technology development and implementation (e.g., setting up an application programming interface,
creating an app, customizing technology to help with program operations such as intake)
Data are any collected statistics or information. Data may be quantitative, like information from surveys or
administrative operations of governments, nonprofits, or foundations. They may also be qualitative, such
as stories from people’s lived experience and information collected from focus groups and interviews.
Catalyst projects can include qualitative data as long as the data collection is structured so that the data
can be analyzed and the project involves using technology to collect, analyze, visualize, or share the
qualitative data.
For a variety of the above examples of how data and tech can be incorporated into Catalyst projects, AI-
enabled tools and solutions may be applicable to support people on specific tasks. Examples include
accelerating or automating document and data processing and visualization, extracting information from
forms, transcribing or sorting information, and identifying insights from text. As with all data and
technology applications, Catalyst encourages the use of AI when it helps advance project goals and is
deployed responsibly.
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Projects are not required to use Microsoft technology, but projects that do so in ways that are integral to
the proposed data and technology activities will be eligible for additional in-kind technology access and
support. See appendix B for details. (Independent of this grant program, there are additional Microsoft for
Nonprofits programs that provide donated and discounted technology offerings to all nonprofits that meet
those programs’ separate eligibility criteria, listed here).
Below are examples of activities that could be supported by this program, assuming they meet the project
topic requirements listed above. This list is not exhaustive, and Urban and Microsoft welcome creative and
innovative projects focused on using data and technology to advance racial equity and reform in the
criminal legal system. We encourage you to review the program website to see previous grantees’
projects.
Using data or technology to inform and organize communities:
 Train community members to use public sources of criminal legal system data.
 Coordinate local residents in data collection or technology development.
 Create and/or launch data-informed education campaigns for your community to highlight criminal
legal system disparities.
 Use technology or data systems to collect, organize, analyze, or share the experiences of people in
your area most affected by racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system.
 Engage community stakeholders by creating and disseminating fact sheets that reflect data-driven
insights and incorporate data analysis and visualizations, as well as toolkits for advocacy.
Using data or technology to facilitate justice reform among government officials:
 Develop and/or implement data-driven reports and recommendations to inform government policy
or the decisionmaking of local elected officials and agency staff.
 Work with local government to demonstrate the need for and value of investing in criminal legal
system data and in making such data public and usable.
 Collect, organize, and/or analyze data related to identifying or raising awareness of racial and ethnic
disparities in the criminal legal system.
 Develop data-and-technology-enabled systems to advance the transparency and accountability of
law enforcement agencies and criminal court proceedings for the communities they serve.
 Use insights from data on criminal legal system actions and community experiences to inform and
shape advocacy for changes to policy and practice.
Using data or technology for program operations, monitoring, or performance management:
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 Improve one or more aspects of data management (e.g., extraction, transformation, loading, quality
assurance, cleaning) with technology.
 Analyze program data to improve your organization’s capacity to address racial and ethnic
disparities at the front end of the criminal legal system.
 Use technology to improve a process in program operations that is inefficient, inaccurate, or
perpetuates racial bias.
 Develop or improve systems to enable data sharing among organizations, such as for coalitions or
for cross-organization service delivery.
More Information
Additional information about use of and support for data and technology is available in the FAQ document
and appendix B. Specific questions about your approach to incorporating data or technology in your
project activities can be directed to Catalyst staff as described in the Learn More section below.
Use of Funds
Funds from this award must be used for the proposed project activities. Allowable uses of funds include
but are not limited to the following:
 salaries for staff undertaking qualified project activities
 internship and fellowship stipends
 payments to consultant and partner organizations for project activities
 fees for data and technology training relevant to project activities
 meeting costs, supplies, and other direct project expenses such as hardware or software licenses
Funds may not be used for political activities. Awardees may allocate up to 20 percent of their award
budgets to cover overhead expenses.
Expectations of Awardees
Awardees will be expected to do the following:
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 Commit to participate in the Catalyst Grant Program and advance proposed projects over the
project performance period.
 Engage with Urban experts and other grantees. This includes engaging with the Urban project-
assistance teams through periodic calls and email communications and participating in three or four
virtual peer-learning opportunities, which may include giving informal presentations to other
grantees.
 Complete reporting requirements (a final report to Urban and Microsoft and periodic brief feedback
surveys from Microsoft).
 Reflect on and plan for responsibly and ethically using data and technology in the project, including
protecting individuals and data as appropriate for the proposed activities, technology uses, and data
sources (and, if needed, identifying and receiving approval for research activities from an
institutional review board). See appendix C.
 If using Microsoft technology, engage with available in-kind expert assistance as needed for
execution of your project. (More information is available in appendix B.)
 Acknowledge the support from the Catalyst Grant Program in any products resulting from this
grant.
 Follow the Urban Institute Justice Policy Center’s code of conduct in Catalyst Grant Program
meetings, written communications, and events, including treating program staff and local
participants with respect and professional courtesy, assuming good intentions, and appreciating
participants’ different backgrounds.
Learn More
Additional Information
The FAQ document contains additional details about eligible project topics, using data and technology,
organizational eligibility, partnering, and answering application questions (including those on connections
and trust with communities of focus, milestones, timing, and capacity to implement).
In addition, the Catalyst Grant Program website contains descriptions of all the past projects awarded
through the program as well as insights, learnings, and best practices.
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Webinars and Workshops
To inform applicants’ proposals, Urban and Microsoft will host an RFP overview webinar and a technology
workshop. In the webinar, we will describe the Catalyst Grant Program and application process and answer
questions about applicants’ proposals. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the grant application
website.
In the technology workshop, which will be offered twice, we will demonstrate relevant Microsoft
technology and provide an overview of the additional in-kind technology access and support offered to
those using Microsoft solutions in their projects. This will include specific nonprofit use cases. Applicants
will also be able to ask questions about their data and technology needs. Like the webinar, the workshops
will be recorded and uploaded to the grant application website.
Applicants are encouraged to attend the webinar and workshop for their own benefit, but not attending
will not affect eligibility, scoring, or the selection process.
RFP Overview Webinar
 October 16, 2024, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (register here)
Workshops to Learn about Microsoft Technology Solutions
 October 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (register here)
 October 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (register here).
 Each workshop session will cover the same material; the workshop is being offered twice for
scheduling flexibility.
 Interested organizations should consider having data or technology staff participate in the
workshop (e.g., information technology personnel, data scientists, program evaluators, program
managers), in addition to whoever will be drafting the proposal.
Questions
Answers to an array of questions about this opportunity are available in the FAQ document on the
Catalyst application website. If there are updates to the FAQs, we will post those on the grant application
website.
Catalyst staff can answer general questions about the program and questions about applicants’ project
ideas. Questions should be directed to catalystapplications@urban.org or (202) 261-5670.
More specifically, Catalyst staff can offer feedback to help organizations determine whether to apply and
whether their projects align with the program’s goals and requirements. Based on past rounds of
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applications, examples of areas where applicants might benefit from improving their understanding of the
Catalyst Grant Program as it applies to their project concepts include the following:
 alignment with the program’s requirement for projects to be at the front end of the criminal legal
system
 a project’s connection to specific activities related to criminal legal system reform
 how data and technology are integral to and included in the project activities
Question topics are not limited to the above areas. Questions submitted to Catalyst staff should include a
paragraph describing the elements of the applicant’s project concept as it relates to the topic of the
submitted question. Responses to questions will comment on the alignment and clarity of key information
related to Catalyst eligibility and program goals, not on the likelihood of a project being funded.
To guarantee a response, questions about project topics, eligibility, and other RFP content must be
submitted by Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
The Urban Institute will continue to answer all technical questions about the submission process until the
proposal deadline (8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 2024). Also, see the FAQs
about applicants’ accounts and using the SurveyMonkey Apply application system.
Application Process
Please submit your proposal by following the instructions on the application website by Friday, November
22, 2024 (8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).
You will need to register on the grant application website to apply. After registering, you will receive an
email to verify your email address. After confirming your email address, you can start an application. You
will need to complete the following parts:
 Pre-Check: Lead Organization Eligibility Questions
 Verify 501(c)(3) Status
 Part 1: Organizational and Project Information
 Part 2: Narrative Questions, where you describe how your project and your organization align with
the Catalyst Grant Program goals
 Part 3: Budget Template and Narrative
 Part 4: Additional Information
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Applicants must complete all required sections as part of their proposals. All questions and instructions are
provided (for reference) in appendix A. Given the word limits for the 10 narrative questions, application
responses are expected to total roughly 5 pages. Applicants must use our standard Excel budget template,
which can be downloaded from the grant application website. Please note that any software costs covered
through the Microsoft for Nonprofits program (listed in appendix B) should not be included in the budgets.
We will only accept completed proposals that are submitted by the deadline. Because we want to treat
everyone with fairness and respect, proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. We
encourage you to submit your proposal well before the deadline so that any unforeseen difficulties, such
as technical problems, can be addressed. Microsoft is not obligated to award an agreement based on this
RFP and is not committed to paying any costs incurred in preparing and submitting a proposal.
Notice of Awards and Program Timeline
Organizations selected for funding will be notified in April 2025 and will be required to engage with
Microsoft payment processes, including providing W-9 and payment-related information, to accept grant
funds. Failure to begin the grant payment process and provide the necessary documentation within 10
business days after notification will result in revocation of the award offer. The grant funds ($40,000) will
be paid to a grantee shortly after the payment process steps are completed.
Organizations will be encouraged to begin preparatory activities related to their projects, such as staff
hiring, data agreements, and initial steps to access in-kind Microsoft technology benefits, as soon as funds
are received.
Ongoing project assistance from Urban experts, in-kind assistance with Microsoft technologies, and cohort
activities for grantees will run from July 1 to December 31, 2025. A public announcement of the awardees
is expected in July 2025.
Final reports on the supported projects will be due January 31, 2026.
Selection
We anticipate providing awards to approximately 25 organizations. Reviewers will assess the quality of the
applications based on the following:
 projects’ alignment with the grant program’s goals of advancing racial equity and reform at the front
end of the criminal legal system
 whether the project activities are reasonable in scope and timing and meet the program’s goals for
integral use of data and/or technology
 organizational and staff capacity to implement the proposed work
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 organizations’ connections and trust with local communities of focus
 alignment of the budget with project activities
We are prioritizing lead organizations that are locally embedded with demonstrated relationships and
connections to the communities where project activities will occur and with those impacted by the
policies, programs, or practices that are the focus of the project.
We welcome projects that require new data to be collected and/or accessed that may contain personally
identifiable information (PII) (see appendix C for more information). When reviewing proposals, the
selection team will consider how, as appropriate for the proposed types of activities and data sources,
organizations plan to responsibly protect individuals and data, including managing sensitive data, research,
or PII. For example, these protections may be minimal if all the data are public but more extensive if an
organization proposes collecting sensitive data from participants or analyzing confidential data. In addition,
projects that will be implementing machine learning or AI tools or methods will be expected to do so
consistent with principles and practices for ethical and responsible use. (See appendix C for further
discussion of expectations for equitable, ethical, and responsible use of data and technology.)
In addition to evaluating the quality of the individual proposals, Urban and Microsoft will consider the
characteristics of the overall portfolio in selecting the final grants. Every effort will be made to recruit and
include applicants representing places large and small, urban and rural, and in different regions of the
country. We will also select a cohort that uses data and technologies in varied ways. Consistent with the
program’s long-term goal to support communities from across the US, Urban and Microsoft will prioritize
the inclusion of organizations that have strong proposals and that have not previously received the
benefits of Catalyst Grant Program participation.
The selection process will include a reviewer pool of people with relevant perspectives and expertise
drawn from the Urban Institute, Microsoft, and some organizations that previously received Catalyst
grants. Final determination of awards will be made by the Catalyst team at Microsoft and Urban. If you
wish to opt out of having experts from previous grantee organizations participate in the review of your
proposal, please note that at the appropriate question in your application.
About the Catalyst Grant Program
About the Urban Institute
The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that provides data and evidence to help advance
upward mobility and equity. We are a trusted source for changemakers who seek to strengthen
decisionmaking, create inclusive economic growth, and improve the well-being of families and
communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered facts that inspire solutions—and this remains
our charge today.
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The Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center works to inform solutions to crime and safety. By conducting
rigorous research and policy analysis, we provide the best data, guidance, training, and technical assistance
to our partners who share a mission to promote functional and fair justice systems. For more evidence on
justice and safety, visit urban.org/justice-policy-center.
About the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative
At Microsoft, we’re committed to addressing racial injustice and inequity for the Black and African
American community and advancing fair and equitable societal systems that support people’s fundamental
rights and address the challenges created by technology. As part of this commitment, the Microsoft Justice
Reform Initiative partners with justice-focused organizations to protect and advance the fundamental right
to racial equity and fairness in the criminal legal system to help communities thrive. We do this through
building data capacity and support for responsible adoption of AI-enabled technologies, piloting and
scaling technology solutions that advance community-centered justice and public safety, and influencing
new policies and practices grounded in fairness, transparency, and community well-being. By providing
access to relevant tools and solutions, we enable our partners to help prevent unnecessary justice system
involvement and eliminate racial disparities in policing and prosecution practices in communities around
the US. More information about the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative is available at Microsoft.com/JRI.
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Appendix A: Full Application Process and Content
Application Tasks
Applicants must complete all required sections as part of their proposals:
 Pre-Check: Lead Organization Eligibility Questions
 Verify 501(c)(3) Status
 Part 1: Organizational and Project Information
 Part 2: Project Narrative Questions
 Part 3: Budget Template and Narrative
 Part 4: Additional Information
Pre-Check: Lead Organization Eligibility Questions
Each application to the Catalyst Grant Program must be submitted by the lead organization on the project.
This lead organization must be a US-based nonprofit with IRS-approved 501(c)(3) status (with an EIN
number), excluding colleges and universities. Government agencies are also not eligible to be lead
organizations.
This section is intended to confirm that the lead organization meets basic Catalyst Grant Program eligibility
requirements.
 Is your organization based in the United States, including US territories? (Y/N)
 Is your organization a nonprofit with IRS-approved 501(c)(3) status? (Y/N)
 Is your organization a local or state government? (Y/N)
 Is your organization a college or university? (Y/N)
If a lead organization is not eligible, the application system will not allow the user to mark this section as
complete and will not allow the application to be submitted.
Verify 501(c)(3) Status
The system will verify your organization's 501(c)(3) status by checking your EIN against the IRS database. If
your EIN is not found, you will not be able to submit an application. If you receive a response that your
EIN is not found and you believe it is incorrect, please email catalystapplications@urban.org with a copy of
18 Register and apply: catalystapplications.urban.org

your IRS determination letter. In particular, recent approvals for 501(c)(3) status may not be represented in
the system database.
 Enter Employer Identification Number
Part 1: Organizational and Project Information
Organizational Information
 Organization name
 Optional: Legal name (if different than operating name)
 Organization street address
 Organization city
 Organization state
 Organization zip code
 Employer Identification Number (EIN)
 Optional: Organization website
 Optional: Organization X handle (formerly Twitter)
 Optional: Organization Instagram
 Optional: Organization Facebook
 Primary point of contact: first name
 Primary point of contact: last name
 Primary point of contact: phone number
 Primary point of contact: email
 Alternate point of contact: first name
 Alternate point of contact: last name
 Alternate point of contact: phone number
 Alternate point of contact: email
Register and apply: catalystapplications.urban.org 19

 Optional: Project point of contact: first name
 Optional: Project point of contact: last name
 Optional: Project point of contact: phone number
 Optional: Project point of contact: email
 Was this organization a lead or partner organization on a previously funded Catalyst Grant Program
project? (Y/N) (If yes, the narrative portion of the application [in Question 8] should include an
explanation of how the proposed new project is distinct from the prior Catalyst project.)
Note: A partner is any organization or individual outside of the applicant organization that is providing
personnel or expertise necessary to key project tasks or deliverables, whether paid or unpaid. A
participation letter will be required from all partners.
 Will you partner or subcontract with any other organization for the proposed work? (Y/N) [repeat as
needed for second partner organization]
If yes, please complete:
 Partner organization name (if relevant)
 Partner organization street address
 Partner organization city
 Partner organization state
 Partner organization zip code
 Partner organization point of contact: first name
 Partner organization point of contact: last name
 Partner organization point of contact: phone number
 Partner organization point of contact: email
 Was this organization a lead or partner organization on a previously funded Catalyst Grant
Program project? (Y/N) (If yes, the narrative portion of the application [in Question 8] should
include an explanation of how the proposed new project is distinct from the prior Catalyst
project.)
20 Register and apply: catalystapplications.urban.org