The deadline for LOIs has been extended to the end of August.

An updated timeline can be found below.

Background

Since 2015, the City and County of Spokane have participated in the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge to avoid unnecessary incarceration, improve public safety, and address racial and ethnic disparities across the criminal justice system. Spokane, one of over 50 jurisdictions across the U.S. participating in the Safety and Justice Challenge, has used previous grant awards to fund the Office of Pre-Trial Services, pre-trial risk assessments, case processing support, and court date reminders, in addition to other strategies. With the current round of funding, Spokane is increasing investments in community-based solutions and resources, including microgrants for addressing unnecessary incarceration, effective reentry, and levels of community safety and stability. Indeed, stakeholders have come to recognize the importance of leveraging community perspectives and expertise in creating models to reduce the over-reliance on jail and make communities healthier, fairer, and safer.

Purpose

The intent is to support innovative, community-based approaches that work to:

reduce contact with law enforcement and the jail
reduce racial disparities across the criminal justice system and/or enhance racial equity
improve access to stabilizing resources in the community for individuals involved with the criminal justice system, including but not limited to behavioral health

Funding

There is a total of $75,000 available, which can either be awarded in full to one applicant or be divided between several depending on the strength of proposals to meet the intent and proposed budgets. This will be a one-year contract for any funded projects.

Eligibility & Implementation

This opportunity is a one-year competitive RFP process to select eligible organizations. Eligible organizations will meet the following criteria:

Based in Spokane County, and provide services that address community safety, early intervention, or reducing recidivism.
We will accept applications from non-profit and for-profit community-based organizations—no government entities.
Provide an organizational equity statement.
Demonstrate that the proposed project is of value to individuals involved in the local criminal justice-system, particularly those experiencing disparities within the corrections system.
Demonstrate that potentially awarded funding is not the sole source of financing for the project. It may be in-kind and does not have to be administered directly by the applicant organization.

Selection Criteria

The application and review process will be two-fold, with a Letter of Intent as the first step. Then, based on the strength of those LOI’s, organizations will be asked to present their proposal to a multi-sector volunteer review committee comprised of regional subject matter experts, the Safety & Justice Challenge Microgrant Committee. This Committee will ask additional questions not included on the LOI and then recommend which proposal(s) should be awarded.

Award decisions will be based on:

Project alignment with the RFP purpose and goals for funding.
Strength of the proposed project or plan, including how well the project or intervention supports the applicant’s goals and the feasibility and appropriateness of the project budget.
Potential to improve the health and well-being of individuals involved in the criminal justice system and/or reduce the degree to which socioeconomic factors hinder the effectiveness of clinical services.

Award Information

Award funds will be disbursed to successful applicants as follows:

50% of funds will be released at the beginning of the project period
50% of funds will be earned at the end of the first six months for a progress report on identified outcomes (a final, but brief, report will be requested at the end of the contract)

Use of Funds

Awards may not be used to directly fund billable services or services covered in contracts between other funding organizations and the partner(s) involved in the project. Funding can be used to further grow or enhance an already established program.

How to Apply

Stage 1: Letters of Intent (LOI)

Interested organizations must submit an LOI via our online form. Letters and their details are non-binding but are required to move forward. These will be scored by the Safety & Justice Challenge Microgrant Committee. Based on their decision, proposals will either be moved to Stage 2 or declined.

Submit LOI

Stage 2: Presentations

Based on a review of the LOIs, organizations may be asked to present their proposal to a multi-sector review panel comprised of regional subject matter experts. Presenters should be prepared to summarize their proposal (20 minutes) and then participate in discussion and questions from the panel (25 minutes). The presentation should include the key target population(s), intervention being proposed, and expected outcomes or measurements. This panel will ask additional questions not included in the LOI.

Timeline

Questions

For questions, please email Charisse Pope at charisse@betterhealthtogether.org

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Request for Proposals: Safety and Justice Challenge Microgrant Deadline extended!