Alabama Nonprofit Finds Unlikely Allies in Criminal Justice Reform

Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice expands its impact by pairing policy research with direct legal work.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A solitary figure sits alone in a dimly lit courtroom, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of the legal system.A small nonprofit's shift to direct legal work and personal storytelling helps drive criminal justice reform in a deeply conservative state.Montgomery Today

When Carla Crowder of the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice took on the case of Alvin Kennard, who had spent 36 years in prison for a $50 robbery, it transformed the small nonprofit's trajectory. Appleseed shifted its focus to freeing older inmates serving harsh sentences for nonviolent crimes, pairing personal stories with policy research to engage lawmakers and supporters. The group has since grown from a four-person research shop to a 10-person, $1.4 million organization, winning bipartisan policy changes and coming close to passing sweeping sentencing reform in Alabama.

Why it matters

In a deeply conservative state long resistant to criminal justice reform, Alabama Appleseed has become an unexpectedly effective advocacy group by building unlikely coalitions with conservative lawmakers, faith leaders, and national funders. The group's model of combining policy work with direct legal representation offers a blueprint for how small nonprofits can influence large public systems.

The details

Alabama Appleseed initially focused on fines, fees, and racial disparities in the criminal justice system, but shifted its focus in 2019 to reducing prison populations and helping those serving extreme sentences get released. Taking on individual cases like Alvin Kennard's gave the organization firsthand insight and personal stories to complement its policy research. A $100,000 grant from the NFL's Inspire Change program allowed Appleseed to expand its legal and reentry services. The group has also won support from bipartisan funders like Arnold Ventures and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

  • In August 2019, Carla Crowder represented Alvin Kennard, who had spent 36 years in prison for a $50 robbery.
  • In late 2019, the NFL invited Appleseed to apply for funding and awarded the group a $100,000 grant for its reentry work in 2020.
  • Twice, legislation Appleseed supported - a Second Chance Act to review certain life-without-parole sentences - came within a few votes of passing in the Alabama legislature.

The players

Carla Crowder

The executive director of the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, who shifted the organization's focus to freeing older inmates serving harsh sentences for nonviolent crimes.

Alvin Kennard

A 58-year-old man who had spent 36 years in prison for stealing $50.75 from a bakery in 1983, whose case Crowder took on and helped secure his release.

Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

A small nonprofit advocacy group in Alabama that has grown from a four-person research shop into a 10-person, $1.4 million organization focused on criminal justice reform.

NFL

The National Football League, which awarded Alabama Appleseed a $100,000 grant in 2020 as part of its Inspire Change social justice initiative.

Kay Ivey

The Republican governor of Alabama, who has supported legislation backed by Alabama Appleseed.

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What they’re saying

“Alabama Appleseed is doing hard work in a hard system in a state where not everyone is pumped up about rehabilitation. In a state where it's just not top of mind, they've done an excellent job of educating people, of advocating for people, and helping be a liaison of this really weird thing called incarceration and prison.”

— Rachel Estes, Director of Outreach, Canterbury United Methodist Church

“It doesn't much matter what the number is when the number is literally one individual's freedom.”

— Clare Graff, Vice President of Social Responsibility, NFL

What’s next

Alabama Appleseed is focused on expanding its reentry support services and preparing to revisit second-chance legislation in the Alabama legislature that would create a process for judges to review certain life-without-parole sentences.

The takeaway

Alabama Appleseed's model of combining policy research with direct legal representation and personal stories has allowed the small nonprofit to achieve outsized impact on criminal justice reform in a deeply conservative state. By building unlikely coalitions and pragmatically working with anyone who can help move reform forward, the group has become one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the South.