The Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF), in partnership with Australian Communities Foundation (ACF), opens Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a national open grant round, Just Futures, to support small-scale programs aimed at preventing contact with the justice system. 

EOIs are open for medium grants of up to a total of $500,000 or large grants of up to a total of $1 million, both for a period of up to five years. Following the EOI process, successful programs will be invited to make a full grant application. 

Dominique Bigras, Head of Justice and Safety at PRF, said that funding will be available for Australian organisations with a focus on community-led prevention, alternatives to custody or post-release support.  

“The grants are for programs working with young people, parents who are or have been in custody and their children, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to prevent or reduce further contact with the justice system, and prevent incarceration across generations,” said Bigras. 

“This funding seeks to support eligible organisations to secure funding for their small-scale and/or early-stage programs, preferably those that support growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in the sector.” 

ACF has been engaged as a grant management partner to facilitate the EOI and application process and help select grant recipients.  

“We’re excited to be involved in this initiative with PRF to help direct funds to an area that has historically been underfunded,” said Georgia Mathews, ACF’s Director of Philanthropic Services.  

“Given the focus on First Nations–led programs, Thirriwirri has been engaged to provide advice on the grant process, help us source applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and provide application support to organisations,” added Bigras. 

Co-Founding Director of Thirriwirri, David Major expressed their excitement to partner with PRF and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to apply for significant funding for programs that will be instrumental in addressing incarceration and recidivism. 

“PRF has a strong history as a funder of justice support,” said Bigras. 

“To date, it has granted to more than 50 organisations helping prevent or reduce further contact with the justice system.” 

The new funding will see further investment in programs that help create just futures for young people, parents who are or have been in custody and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

The EOI and application guidelines can be found at: https://communityfoundation.org.au/support/just-futures/. 

Thirriwirri is available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in the EOI and full application stages, including discussing eligibility requirements and guidelines, and assisting with application writing and submission. 

Organisations wanting assistance from Thirriwirri should email info@thirriwirri.org.