## Comprehensive Overview of CJI (Crime and Justice Institute & Circle for Justice Innovations) The acronym “CJI” refers to at least two prominent organizations in the justice sector, each with distinct missions and histories: the **Crime and Justice Institute** and the **Circle for Justice Innovations**. This summary clarifies both entities, focusing on their unique contributions to business, technology, and social innovation. ### Crime and Justice Institute The **Crime and Justice Institute (CJI)**, a division of the 140-year-old nonprofit Community Resources for Justice, is a Boston-based organization that bridges criminal justice research and practice[1]. CJI specializes in developing data-driven, evidence-based policies and solutions to drive systemic improvements in adult and youth justice systems, working with police agencies, courts, and corrections departments[1]. With a client-centered approach, CJI partners with organizations to assess needs, build capacity, and implement sustainable reforms, ensuring that initiatives continue to deliver value long after direct engagement ends[1]. CJI’s team includes experienced professionals and consultants from diverse backgrounds, reflecting its commitment to innovative, unbiased analysis and measurable outcomes[1]. The organization is recognized for translating complex research into actionable strategies, helping justice systems become more effective, efficient, and equitable. ### Circle for Justice Innovations The **Circle for Justice Innovations (CJI)** is a national philanthropic initiative founded and led by Black women, established in 2000 to support grassroots organizations fighting mass criminalization and incarceration[2][6]. Over two decades, CJI has awarded over $10 million in grants to more than 275 nonprofits across 39 states and Washington, D.C., prioritizing groups led by people directly impacted by the justice system[2][9]. CJI’s mission is to end mass incarceration by strengthening the infrastructure of the grassroots criminal justice movement, focusing on transformative, systemic change[6]. Originally a project of The Funding Exchange, CJI became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofi