NPO Name *

Ohio Justice & Policy Center

Today's Date *

Monday, November 30, 2020

EIN (Employer Identification Number) *

31-1319172

State of HQ Location *

Ohio

Charitable Work Sector *

Human Services

Contact Name *

Sarah Estes

Contact Title *

Development Director

Contact Email Address *

sestes@ohiojpc.org

Contact Phone Number *

(513) 421-1108

Organization Website

http://www.ohiojpc.org

Organization Address *

215 E. 9th St. Suite 601

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

United States

If you are to receive a grant this year, who should the check be PAYABLE TO? *

Ohio Justice & Policy Center

Total REVENUE for PREVIOUS Fiscal Year

$2,095,611.00

Total EXPENSES for PREVIOUS Fiscal

Year

$1,266,330.00

Total REVENUES for CURRENT Fiscal Year

$1,051,160.00

Total EXPENSES for CURRENT Fiscal Year

$1,553,830.00

What are your sources of revenue? (Click all that apply)

• Individuals
• Corporations
• Foundations

Please enter the amount of your largest revenue source. *

$100,000.00

How many paid employees do you have? *

17

Approximately how many volunteers do you have? *

20

Do High School or Junior High School students volunteer at your organization? If so, what do they do? *

Generally, no. Due to the nature of our work and our clients, our volunteers are usually required to have more experience unfortunately. Volunteers come to us from law schools or universities, or people that have had a good deal of experience in office environments that have helped with some office work.

What is your mission and what are the programs that help you fulfill your mission? *

OJPC's mission is to create fair, intelligent, redemptive criminal justice systems. All of OJPC’s work is aimed at three overarching objectives: Decarceration – substantially reducing the size and racial disparity of the state prison population through our policy advocacy and Beyond Guilt project, Second Chances – expanding the freedom of people with criminal records to participate fully in the community through our Second Chance legal clinics and presentations, and Human Rights in Prison – protecting the rights and dignity of incarcerated people through advocacy and direct legal representation. OJPC uses three primary strategies to achieve all three objectives: zealous client-centered advocacy for people marginalized by the criminal justice system; state & local systems-change advocacy & research, in collaboration with directly impacted communities; and empowering legal education.

Who benefits from your services? *

One in six Ohioans has some kind of criminal record which can create barriers to employment, housing, and civic participation. Affected individuals suffer from lower wages and lack of stability, but communities suffer as well from less economic stability for so many Ohioans. We provide clinics that help individuals remove these barriers and make communities safer. Our policy advocacy benefits all Ohioans, as smarter legislation, rather than punitive legislation, makes our communities more prosperous. And law school students who are involved in our summer internships or Constitutional Litigation Clinic benefit from the experience we provide them on their way to becoming attorneys.

How do you measure your program's effectiveness? *

Everyone assisted through our Second Chance Clinics receives a survey which helps us measure the effectiveness of the program. Likewise, we ask law students about their experience at the end of their internships or volunteer service to determine how we can improve our educational programs. And attorneys and judges that attend our trainings on domestic violence or human trafficking record expungement are also asked for their input to determine effectiveness.

The first way we could use the money is... *

OJPC has a community outreach specialist that provides presentations to school groups regarding the importance of making the most of their education, and helping at-risk youth to avoid the criminal justice system before they come into contact with it.

Do you have a second way to use the grant money?

Yes

A second way we could use the grant money is... *

A grant through Magnified Giving could help support us to reach even more high school students. A Magnified Giving grant could help support our internship program for law students. Training future leaders is a big part of what we do, but it takes time and staff resources to oversee interns and help them on projects. The students gain real-world experience working on behalf of clients, often getting to visit and interview clients who are incarcerated, and learn how to prepare court arguments. A grant helps us to provide staffing time and helps pay for the expenses for this program.

Do you have a third way to use the grant money?

Yes

A third way we could use the grant money is... *

Our Second Chance Community Legal Clinics, held at partner sites throughout Cincinnati, such as Freestore Foodbank, Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, and Cincinnati State, provides legal education and direct services for those with criminal records to help them remove barriers to employment. Even during the pandemic, OJPC has continued to provide legal assistance through virtual clinics through these partnerships. A grant from Magnified Giving could help us to provide services to more people, helping them gain financial security through a better chance at employment.

Do you have a fourth way to use the grant money?

No

Final Thoughts

OJPC firmly believes that no one should be written off, and that people shouldn't be forever judged by their worst moment. With one in six people in Ohio having some kind of criminal record, it's important that people be given an opportunity toward redemption and leading a better life. That can be difficult or almost impossible with criminal records that can follow individuals for years or even decades. OJPC tries to level the playing field for people with criminal records who are trying to better their life, reduce the state's over-reliance on incarceration, and maintain the safety of those who are incarcerated.