CJIs Q4D Committee at work reviwing more than 80 grant applications.
The Circle for Justice Innovations (CJI) is pleased to announce that in partnership with the Formerly Incarcerated and Convicted Prisoners and Families Movement (FICPFM) awarded $440,000 through the Quest for Democracy Fund (Q4D). Funding will support 20 non-profit organizations led by formerly incarcerated people. Funding priorities include:
- Restoration of Rights for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people
- Felon Re-enfranchisement/Voting Rights Restoration, and Civic Engagement
- Law Enforcement Accountability (police, prosecutors, and judges)
- Bail Reform and Systems Supervision
“We are so inspired and honored to be able to support grassroots organizations all over the country that work to transform the criminal legal system. This growing movement draws on the innovation, passion, devotion, and resilience of millions who have experienced the living hell that is the U.S. prison system. Together, we are challenging this criminal and criminalizing legal system to support viable, restorative justice alternatives to incarceration. Instead, we need to enhance opportunities for forgiveness, restoration, accountability, and safety, which we all deserve.” – Aleah Bacquie Vaughn, CJI’s Executive Director.
Three members of the Q4D Circle are leaders of organizations that were CJI grantees in their early years. “CJI is honored to have played a role in helping to provide resources to the movement and these exceptional leaders,” said Mrs. Vaughn.
“I am extremely proud to be a small part of supporting additional freedom fighters. When we gathered in Florida right before the election we stated that we would be setting up a Quest for Democracy Fund and share the resources with formerly incarcerated people and their families. We pushed out almost $500,000. We did this because we wanted others to help continue the fight for the full restoration of our civil and human rights. I also wanted to thank the funders that believed in our vision and our integrity.” – Dorsey Nunn, founding leader of All of Us or None, Executive Director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, FICPFM Steering Committee Member, and Quest for Democracy Grant-making Circle member.
The Q4D grantees will be given an opportunity for intensive, technical assistance and training by FICPFM organizing veterans. The FICPFM Civic Engagement Retreat will equip the Q4D grantees to be more effective and impactful in their work changing policies and laws that deny the human rights of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.
Click here to find out more about the Q4D Grantees
About Circle for Justice Innovations (CJI) – a project fiscally sponsored by Neo Philanthropy, CJI is a national innovative grant-making collaborative made up of community organizers, activists, donors, and donor-activists. The CJI Circle identifies, funds, and nurtures grassroots organizations led by those most impacted working to transform the criminal justice system in the United States. It serves as a leader in the funding of movement work within marginalized communities which includes: black and brown people, young people, immigrants, gender and sexual minorities, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, Native Americans, low-income communities, and other communities impacted by the criminal justice and immigration systems. For more information, visit www.cjifund.org
About The Formerly Incarcerated & Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM)– FICPFM is a network of over 50 civil and human rights organizations led by people who have conviction histories and their family members. Committed to transforming society by transforming the criminal justice system, they advocate legislatively, judicially, and through direct community organizing. The vision is, ultimately, a society in which prisons do not exist. For more information, visit www.ficpfmmovement.org