Tech Impact Awarded Catalyst Grant from the Urban Institute and Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative

Tech Impact was chosen as one of 27 local nonprofit organizations to join the Catalyst Grant Program, an initiative to support local communities in using data and technology to advance racial equity and reform in the criminal legal system, the Urban Institute and the Microsoft Justice Reform Initiative announced today. The Catalyst Grant Program is more than just a funding initiative; it's a commitment to leveraging collaboration, innovation, and harnessing the power of technology and data for transformative change, particularly in prevention, policing, and prosecution practices.

Through the Catalyst Grant, Tech Impact’s Data Lab will focus on aims to advance racial equity by preventing engagement with the criminal legal system using data and technology through a partnership with the State’s community gun violence deterrence program: Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Delaware. Recognizing that gun violence is a public health problem, GVI Delaware is strategically housed within the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and provides social services to individuals active in Delaware groups and gangs. Tech Impact will work with GVI’s Support & Outreach team to deploy a sustainable data platform that will support their goals of efficient data collection, quality improvements, and informed program practices.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this cycle’s Catalyst Grantees and are eager to start our work with GVI. With improved data collection, analysis, and structure, we believe the Support & Outreach arm will be able to support more individuals in their community in efficient and effective ways” says Ryan Harrington, Tech Impact’s Data Lab Director.

Tech Impact was chosen following a highly competitive selection process that drew applications from across the country. To learn more about the Catalyst Grant Program, visit: https://www.urban.org/projects/catalyst-grant-program/current-grantees