What You Protect

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

MIP is currently investigating or litigating 17 cases, with 900 more requests for help waiting to be reviewed. Studies estimate that roughly 4,000 people across the five-state region may be wrongfully imprisoned today.

Federal grant cuts have already forced MIP to reduce staff by 25% — down to 9 employees — and the board may have to decide by this October whether the organization can continue operating.

For a limited time, every gift is matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.

MAKE A MATCHED GIFT

WHY THIS MATTERS
A wrongful conviction can cost someone decades of their life — birthdays, funerals, graduations, the chance to raise their own children. Evidence disappears. Witnesses vanish. Without skilled legal help, proving innocence becomes nearly impossible.

For 25 years, that help has been MIP. The next Christopher Dunn is still waiting. The next Lamar Johnson is still hoping someone will believe him. For many people in this region, MIP isn’t one option — it’s the only one.

WHAT’S AT RISK
If MIP can’t remain open:
– The 17 clients currently in active cases could lose their legal team.
– Investigations could stop before key evidence is found.
– 900 people waiting for case review may have nowhere else to turn.
– The five-state region could lose its only innocence organization.

Evidence fades. Witnesses pass away. Every delay makes justice harder to reach.

WHY NOW
A funding source that supported MIP’s growth since 2021 has run out, and federal grant cuts in 2025 made the financial strain worse. MIP has already reduced staff by 25% to keep operating, but because of critical case deadlines and evidentiary hearings, MIP’s could not ethically reduce staffing in time to absorb those changes without bridge support. We are saying that plainly because the people who support this work deserve an honest explanation—and a clear plan for what happens next.

WHAT YOUR GIFT PROTECTS
The $500,000 campaign will give MIP the time and stability it needs to absorb the reductions responsibly while continuing essential work.

Your gift will help:
– protect ongoing legal representation;
– continue essential investigations;
– preserve experienced innocence lawyers and investigators;
– support exonerees as they return home and rebuild their lives;
– continue policy work aimed at preventing wrongful convictions; and
– make sure this region does not lose its innocence organization.

At least $300,000 must be secured to provide the immediate operating bridge needed to complete this transition without closing.

Reaching the full $500,000 goal will give MIP greater stability as it enters 2027 with lower expenses and a stronger financial foundation

For someone who has already lost years to a wrongful conviction, every day matters. Help make sure they don’t lose their last chance at justice, too.

Your gift will be doubled while matching funds remain.

As reported by St. Louis Public Radio (July 10, 2026): https://www.stlpr.org/law-order/2026-07-10/midwest-group-wrongfully-convicted-prisoners-christopher-dunn-may-close