Grants for Felons
Reentry and second chance grants fund programs that help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully return to their communities. The Department of Justice is the largest funder, with the Second Chance Act providing dedicated reentry funding. Labor Department, HHS, and foundations also support employment training, housing, education, and substance abuse services for justice-involved individuals.
Up to $1,500 per semester for college or up to $1,500 per year for certification programs
THE COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation
Academic Support Program Organization: College & Community Fellowship (NY, US) Program Type: Tuition assistance and scholarships Overview A tuition assistance program that provides scholarships to…
Bob Barker Foundation Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation
Bob Barker Company Foundation Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Bob Barker Company Foundation Amount: Up to US $25,000 Last Updated: April 03, 2026 Summary The Bob Barker Company Foundation Grant aims to…
CORECIVIC FOUNDATION THE · October 31, 2026 · Annual Foundation
CoreCivic Foundation Grant Program Organization: CoreCivic Foundation (formerly CCA Charitable Foundation) Geographic Scope: Middle Tennessee and communities served by CoreCivic facilities nationwide…
Corrections Department · Rolling / Open State
Department of Corrections - Grants The Grants and Subsidies (GAS) Unit within the Department of Corrections administers and monitors approximately 250 grants, subsidies, contracts and reimbursements…
Bob Barker Company Foundation · Rolling / Open State
Grants for Re-Entry programs and programs to help reduce recidivism - Organization: Bob Barker Company Foundation - Type: Foundation Grant
THE CHAMBER OF THE CHINO VALLEY · Rolling / Open Foundation
HIRE Grant – Expanding Second-Chance Employment Overview: The HIRE Grant Program is designed to help businesses hire and train justice-involved individuals while reducing employment costs. Through…
JACQUES PEPIN FOUNDATION THE · Rolling / Open Foundation
JPF Principal Grant Program RFP Status: ACTIVE Funder: Jacques Pepin Foundation Amount: Up to US $10,000 Last Updated: March 16, 2026 Summary The Jacques Pepin Foundation (JPF) is dedicated to…
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Second Chance Act?
- The Second Chance Act authorizes federal grants for state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofits to provide reentry services. Funded through the Department of Justice, it supports employment assistance, housing, substance abuse treatment, mentoring, family reunification, and other services that reduce recidivism. Annual funding typically exceeds $100 million.
- Can formerly incarcerated individuals get personal grants?
- Direct individual grants are rare, but many programs provide funded services. The Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities program funds job training. Pell Grants are again available to incarcerated students. State programs often provide transitional housing assistance, and some foundations offer educational scholarships for justice-involved individuals.
- What grants fund reentry employment programs?
- The Department of Labor offers multiple reentry employment grants, including REXO and YouthBuild. The SBA supports entrepreneurship programs for returning citizens. The Department of Justice funds employment-focused reentry programs through the Second Chance Act. Foundations like the Ford Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and local workforce boards provide additional employment reentry funding.