In 2017, New Profit, John Legend’s FREEAMERICA, and Bank of America teamed up to take on this challenge and launch Unlocked Futures, an accelerator program with two key areas of focus: Backing entrepreneurs who have direct experience with the criminal justice system and changing the public mindset about renewal and the constructive role people who are formerly incarcerated can play in society. In its first year, Unlocked Futures has supported eight early-stage entrepreneurs with unrestricted funding and strategic support.

James Monteiro and the ReEntry Campus Program teamed up with four other organizations to create the Rhode Island ReEntry Collaborative, which was awarded a 2018 Second Chance Act Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to provide comprehensive services to assist high-risk individuals being released from prison.

Read more about Unlocked Futures and find lessons for donors.

Learn more about the Unlocked Futures Fund.