A practical guide to grants for prison reentry programs, federal Second Chance Act funding, DOJ and DOL programs, and foundations.
2025–2026 STATUS UPDATE: HHS announced restructuring in March 2025 that consolidates SAMHSA, HRSA, OASH, ATSDR, and NIOSH into a new “Administration for a Healthy America (AHA)” as part of a ~25% HHS workforce reduction. Programs and contact pathways may have shifted. Verify at hhs.gov.
Prison reentry is one of the most consistently funded areas of criminal justice work, with major federal programs through DOJ and DOL, supportive funding from HHS and HUD, and substantial foundation interest.
TL;DR
- Who funds reentry? DOJ (Second Chance Act, BJA Smart Reentry), DOL REO, SAMHSA, HUD (housing for reentry), foundations.
- Who can apply? Nonprofits, state and local government, reentry partnerships, tribal organizations.
- What gets funded? Workforce, housing, behavioral health, mentoring, family reunification, technical assistance.
Federal Funding
DOJ. Second Chance Act adult and juvenile programs, Smart Reentry, Smart Probation.
DOL Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) for workforce-focused reentry.
SAMHSA for behavioral health components.
HUD for housing-for-reentry programs.
ACF Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood programs.
Foundation Funders
- MacArthur Foundation (Safety and Justice Challenge).
- Open Society Foundations.
- Ford Foundation.
- JEHT Foundation historically.
- Public Welfare Foundation.
- Community foundations.
What Gets Funded
- Workforce development and employment.
- Housing and rental assistance.
- Behavioral health and substance use treatment, see grants for addiction recovery.
- Mentoring.
- Family reunification.
- Education and credentialing.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed services.
Tips for a Competitive Application
- Use evidence-based reentry models.
- Show partnership across justice, workforce, behavioral health, housing.
- Address racial equity.
- Center returning citizens in design and leadership.
- Plan for reporting on real outcomes (recidivism, employment, housing stability).
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces reentry funding across DOJ, DOL, SAMHSA, HUD, and foundations, with drafts in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- DOJ Grants: A Guide to Department of Justice Funding
- DOL Grants: A Guide to Department of Labor Funding
- Grants for Criminal Justice Reform
Further Reading
- DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Reentry
- SAMHSA grants
- DOL VETS / Workforce Reentry
- Grants.gov (federal funding portal)
- Wikipedia: Second Chance Act
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.