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The Sentencing Project at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

The Sentencing Project

Research and education on criminal justice policy issues, and advocacy for criminal justice reform.

$96k
Granted FY2025still arriving
6
Grants FY2025still arriving
6
States reached
$20k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2021 to 2024.

Crime & Legal$564kPublic Benefit$105kCivil Rights$40kEnvironment$20kCommunity Improvement$15kHuman Services$10k
02FY2025 · 6 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

$20,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$10M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
DWIGHT HALL AT YALE$20,000
FUSION PARTNERSHIPS INC$20,000
THE BLACK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE$20,000
PROGRESSNOW EDUCATION$15,000
SOUTHWEST ORGANIZING PROJECT$10,000
YOUTH SENTENCING & REENTRY PROJECT$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY22–23, $20k) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: $10k → 16%NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: $10k → 16%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
IL
MI
NY
MA
OR
WY
IA
OH
PA
NJ
CT
RI
CA
CO
NE
MD
NM
DC
LA
TX
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

49%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$416k · 12 repeat orgs$433k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +47% since the first grant, against +11% for those funded once.

12 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2025, 11 since wound down; 5 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

12
25

Total granted

$416k
$353k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+47%
+11%

Still filing today

67%
80%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 16% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $80k went to new ones.

50%100%’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’21’22’23’24’25
Crime & LegalCivil RightsPublic BenefitCommunity ImprovementEnvironmentHuman ServicesOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NA
    NEBRASKA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
    2× · 2023–2024 · $130k · revenue +50%
  • SA
    SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS (SEE) INC
    3× · 2022–2024 · $60k · revenue +53%
  • PN
    PROGRESS NOW EDUCATION
    2× · 2023–2025 · $25k · revenue +70%

Funded once

  • CF
    CENTER FOR LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE STUDIES
    one grant, 2021 · $25k
  • NE
    NEW ENGLAND INNOCENCE PROJECTgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $25k · revenue +169%
  • TL
    Together Louisianagraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $25k · revenue +157%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Oregon Justice Network

Oregon Justice Network is an alliance built and staffed by criminal legal system impacted people advocating for the well-being of people affected or at-risk of being affected by carceral systems. Our work centers around restorative…

Human Services
2
Fund for Justice

Fund for Justice is a nationally connected social impact research and advocacy organization that works to achieve fundamental, systemic reform by addressing policies and practicies that prevent individuals from reaching their full…

Crime & Legal
3
The Promise of Justice Initiative

The promise of justice initiative works to create positive change for people in the criminal legal system at the intersection of impact litigation, direct services and community engagement.

Crime & Legal
4
Jobs with Justice San Francisco

A long-term, strategic alliance of labor, community, faith-based, and student organizations working together to build greater economic power for workers and community members through employee rights at work and access to good jobs,…

Employment
5
Prison Policy Initiative

The Organization challenges over-criminalizationand mass incarceration through research, advocacyand organizing.

Civil Rights
6
Choosing Justice Initiative

Representing defendants in their court cases at no cost to the defendants.

Crime & Legal
7
Justice Policy Institute

The Justice Policy Institute is dedicated to reducing the use of incarceration and involvement in the justice system by promoting fair and effective policies.

Crime & Legal
8
Los Angeles Innocence Project Inc

The purpose is to exonerate the wrongly convicted, uncover and remedy past misuse of evidence in the courtroom, and improve the dialogue among stakeholders in the criminal legal system to prevent future injustice.

Crime & Legal
9
District of Columbia Access to Justice

Work with DC courts, private bar & legal services providers to increase legal representations for low & moderate income DC residents, enhance efficiency of legal services, and reduce barriers to the judicial system.

Crime & Legal
10
Philadelphia Area Jobs With Justice

Building support for the rights of working people through coalitions of labor and community and through public education.

Employment
11
Injustice Watch Nfp

Injustice Watch is a Chicago-based nonprofit journalism organization that examines issues of equity and justice in the court system.

Civil Rights
12
Protect Ethical Prosecutors

The mission of this criminal legal reform project is to educate the public about the role of prosecutors and prosecutorial misconduct through researching and publishing current events related to prosecutorial misconduct.

Crime & Legal
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Abolitionist Law Center; the most unlike its peers is Together Louisiana. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

34 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 34 of the 42 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
33/34
Grantees still filing
19/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

NEBRASKA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: $130,000 · Crime & LegalNEBRASKA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW IN THE…NEW ENGLAND INNOCENCE PROJECT: $25,000 · Crime & LegalNEW ENGLAND INNOCENCE PROJECTCRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY COALITION INC: $22,000 · Crime & LegalCRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY COALITION INCYOUTH LAW CENTER: $20,000 · Crime & LegalYOUTH LAW CENTERDROP LWOP NEW ENGLAND: $20,000 · Crime & LegalDROP LWOP NEW ENGLANDColorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalit: $20,000 · Crime & LegalColorado Criminal Justice Reform CoalitINITIATE JUSTICE: $20,000 · Crime & LegalINITIATE JUSTICEWYOMING CHILDRENS LAW CENTER: $15,000 · Crime & Legal+3 more: $30,000 · Crime & Legal+3 moreCENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES INC: $30,000 · OtherCENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATI…PROGRESS NOW EDUCATION: $25,000 · OtherPROGRESS NOW EDUCATIONCENTER FOR LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE STUDIES: $25,000 · OtherCENTER FOR LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE…AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF RHODE ISLAND INC: $25,000 · OtherAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION…STAND IN FOR NEBRASKA: $24,000 · OtherSTAND IN FOR NEBRASKANEW LIFE WORSHIP CENTER: $20,000 · OtherNEW LIFE WORSHIP CENTERIOWA JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK: $20,000 · OtherIOWA JUSTICE ACTION NETWORKCELWOP INC: $15,000 · OtherCELWOP INCThe PENNFranchise Project: $10,000 · OtherNetwork on Women in Prison dba Legal Services for Prisoners w Children: $10,000 · OtherHEALING OUR LAND INC: $10,000 · OtherLIVING BEYOND BARS: $10,000 · OtherOFICINA LEGAL DEL PUEBLO UNIDO INC: $8,000 · OtherBLACK COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE: $20,000 · Civil RightsBLACK COMMUNITY …Chicago Votes: $20,000 · Civil RightsChicago VotesTHE OLE EDUCATION FUND: $20,000 · Civil RightsTHE OLE EDUCATIO…BRIDGE Maryland Inc: $10,000 · Civil RightsBRIDGE Maryland …Oregon Justice Resource Center: $10,000 · Civil RightsOregon Justice R…SYLVIA WOODS JOSEPHINE WYATT AND CLARICE DURHAM: $10,000 · Civil RightsSYLVIA WOODS JOS…SOUTHWEST ORGANIZING PROJECT: $10,000 · Civil RightsSOUTHWEST ORGANI…FELONY MURDER ELIMINATION PROJECT: $10,000 · Civil RightsFELONY MURDER EL…OHIO JUSTICE AND POLICY CENTER: $10,000 · Civil RightsOHIO JUSTICE AND…SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS (SEE) INC: $60,000 · EnvironmentFUSION PARTNERSHIP INC: $20,000 · Community ImprovementTogether Making a Better Community: $15,000 · Community ImprovementTeamChild: $15,000 · Community ImprovementTogether Louisiana: $25,000 · Public BenefitSAFE & JUST MICHIGAN: $10,000 · Public BenefitCOMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND: $10,000 · Public BenefitDWIGHT HALL AT YALE: $20,000 · EducationTHE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE INC: $20,000 · Human Services
Crime & Legal$302,000Other$232,000Civil Rights$120,000Environment$60,000Community Improvement$50,000Public Benefit$45,000Education$20,000Human Services$20,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetNEBRASKA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: $130,000 over 2y, 1.4% of budgetSOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS (SEE) INC: $60,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES INC: $30,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPROGRESS NOW EDUCATION: $25,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetNEW ENGLAND INNOCENCE PROJECT: $25,000 over 1y, 1.5% of budgetAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF RHODE ISLAND INC: $25,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetTogether Louisiana: $25,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetCRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY COALITION INC: $22,000 over 2y, 40% of budgetFUSION PARTNERSHIP INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetYOUTH LAW CENTER: $20,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetChicago Votes: $20,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetDWIGHT HALL AT YALE: $20,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetTHE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE INC: $20,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetDROP LWOP NEW ENGLAND: $20,000 over 1y, 23% of budgetColorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalit: $20,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetINITIATE JUSTICE: $20,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetTHE OLE EDUCATION FUND: $20,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetWYOMING CHILDRENS LAW CENTER: $15,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetTogether Making a Better Community: $15,000 over 1y, 3.6% of budgetTeamChild: $15,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBRIDGE Maryland Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 5.2% of budgetAlliance of Families for Justice Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetOregon Justice Resource Center: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetSYLVIA WOODS JOSEPHINE WYATT AND CLARICE DURHAM: $10,000 over 1y, 7.7% of budgetNetwork on Women in Prison dba Legal Services for Prisoners w Children: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetSOUTHWEST ORGANIZING PROJECT: $10,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetFELONY MURDER ELIMINATION PROJECT: $10,000 over 1y, 2.7% of budgetABOLITIONIST LAW CENTER: $10,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetSAFE & JUST MICHIGAN: $10,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetOHIO JUSTICE AND POLICY CENTER: $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetCOMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOFICINA LEGAL DEL PUEBLO UNIDO INC: $8,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Amalgamated Charitabl…NEO Philanthropy IncTides FoundationNew Venture FundVital Projects Fund I…ImpactassetsincPublic Welfare Founda…Silicon Valley Commun…Proteus Fund IncFoundation to Promote…Skyline FoundationThe Tow Foundation Inc
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation IncDC23.8× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc · NEO Philanthropy Inc · Tides Foundation · New Venture Fund · Vital Projects Fund Inc · Impactassetsinc · Public Welfare Foundation Inc · Silicon Valley Community Foundation · Proteus Fund Inc · Foundation to Promote Open Society · Skyline Foundation · The Tow Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Sentencing Project funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Sentencing Project. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 30%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →median 26%
  • Oregon Justice Resource Center: 26% of income from government
  • New England Innocence Project: 12% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
3get no government money at all
7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 42 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

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More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home