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.

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.

Someone in our region is still waiting for the same chance that Christopher Dunn, Lamar Johnson, Kevin Strickland, and Cedric Warren received. 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 21 clients currently in active cases could lose their legal team.
  • 11 cases in active litigation could be disrupted at critical moments.
  • 10 cases in active investigation 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 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.

The response from supporters has been extraordinary. In just a few short weeks, donors have raised and pledged more than $400,000 toward this campaign. That momentum has helped stabilize MIP during a critical transition—but additional support is still needed to reach the full goal and ensure long-term sustainability.

WHAT YOUR GIFT PROTECTS
The $500,000 campaign will give MIP the time and stability it needs to absorb these 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.
  • 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.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, more than $400,000 has already been raised and pledged toward this goal.

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 chance at justice.

Thanks to a generous donor, every eligible gift will now be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Double your impact and help keep the path to freedom open.

As reported by St. Louis Public Radio on July 10, 2026: Read the article.