For 25 years, the Midwest Innocence Project has investigated and litigated wrongful conviction cases across Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, helping free Christopher Dunn after 33 years, Lamar Johnson after 27, Kevin Strickland after 43, and Cedric Warren after more than 15.

MIP currently has 21 active cases in investigation or litigation, with 900 requests for help still waiting to be reviewed. Studies estimate that roughly 4,000 people across the five-state region may be wrongfully imprisoned today. Federal grant cuts forced MIP to reduce its staff by 25%, leaving just nine employees. Thanks to supporters across the region, MIP has already raised and pledged more than $400,000 toward its $500,000 campaign goal, but additional support is still needed to secure the organization's future and keep the path to freedom open.