Beyond the Solve: The Impact of the Season of Justice Community

Sydney Pacha, Development Director
September 2026

It is easy to imagine that when a crime occurs the case is thoroughly investigated, evidence is collected and tested, a suspect is identified, and justice is carried out in a court of law; an easy path from unsolved to solved. However, for hundreds of thousands of cases nationwide that is not the case. All leads have been exhausted and progress remains stalled while families live in uncertainty and fear and evidence sits on the shelf, sometimes for decades. This is the situation that Season of Justice (SOJ) operates to change while ensuring that these victims and families voices are never silenced. 

This month, around the country and at Season of Justice we observe National Cold Case Month and we honor those no longer with us and those who remain waiting for answers. On The National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims (9/25) Season of Justice will be hosting our Annual Day of Giving; this single day provides a large percentage of the funds that directly support cold case resolution all year long.

At SOJ, we use that phrase a lot “cold case resolution”, because that is our ultimate goal, to bring cold cases to conclusion, finding answers for families and justice for victims. But your support does so much more than that. Supporting Season of Justice means movement and progress in hundreds of cases nationwide and families and loved ones that feel seen and heard.

Solves are the goal, but there is so much more to our mission.

Beyond the Testing

Since our inception Season of Justice has funded 212 DNA testing grants (as of 9/21/2026).  

When we think about that number we need to zoom out and consider what that really means. 

This number represents hundreds of cases around the country that are being actively worked and in various stages of investigation; DNA testing still being processed, detectives operating with new information to guide their lines of inquiry including over 100 cases that now have a usable suspect DNA profile to aid their ongoing investigation, as well as cases moving into the court system. What DNA testing sometimes shows, is inconclusive results, which in themselves push cases forward on a new path. 

Season of Justice also utilizes our vast knowledge of forensics and our continued education regarding technological advancement to aid investigators who may have additional resources available to them in their own jurisdiction and through other governmental means; some of these cases have even been closed due to this guidance. 

The technology available is always changing and Season of Justice is a partner to agencies in finding the best path forward for each and every investigation, whether that be educating about new possibilities in investigator’s own systems, or being the voice of the future and recommending investigators wait to pursue forensics until the technology can be more sensitive. 

An integral pillar of Season of Justice’s mission is education. SOJ prioritizes presenting at law enforcement conferences and have reached over 1,000 investigators to let them know about the resources available to them. 

As technology advances, the government funded entities lag significantly behind. Season of Justice educates investigative partners about the possibilities available to them now and builds the infrastructure to be able to utilize the most cutting edge technology in the future as public systems take their time to catch up. Season of Justice partners with investigators nationwide who are dedicated to finding answers in every case that remains on the shelf, and provides the resources necessary to make progress, which can come in many forms. Funding is not the only support Season of Justice provides. 

Beyond Awareness

Season of Justice has supported 55 Public Awareness Campaigns since 2021. We are proud to have been able to sponsor these initiatives which are critical to keeping these cases in the public eye.That number represents 55 families and victims who have been recognized and validated sometimes after decades of stalled progress and unheard pleading. 

What this number doesn’t show is the impact beyond simple awareness: the tips that are generated and shared by individuals who pass these billboards on their daily commute, the pressure that is applied to individuals involved in a crime by having a physical presence in their neighborhood, and the millions of views that these campaigns have received nationwide both physically on the ground and digitally. 

What the numbers also don’t show is the immense time and care that our team puts into reviewing all of the applications submitted annually (which significantly outweigh what we have the capacity to support), the hours of phone calls between families, investigators, and vendors to ensure all parties feel heard and supported, the strategy utilized to find the perfect billboard location, the heartbreak that happens when we cannot fund a family’s request, and the additional hours put in to connect them to resources and partners that may better fit their needs. Season of Justice works diligently to support the families who are still here and honor the memory and legacy of those tragically lost. Awareness is not the only outcome of this program. 

Beyond the Solve

The most important thing that numbers can’t show is the hope Season of Justice inspires. While we can’t put figures in place to describe the exact number of people affected in a single cold case we know this hurt and fear branches beyond family, friends, and investigators to the community at large. By supporting investigative agencies and families, Season of Justice creates hope that: 

• A family will finally know what happened to their loved one and will see justice served  
• An investigator can retire because the case that kept them up at night has a conclusion 
• Technology will advance enough to close those “impossible” cases 
• When technology does advance enough, there are resources available so it can be utilized 
• Communities and homes will once again feel safe
• There are people who care deeply about victims and their loved ones  

It’s important to remember that when we say “Season of Justice”, we do not just mean the team of three that run daily operations, the board of directors, and our dedicated volunteers. We mean YOU, all of the impact that has been made and will be seen in the future is thanks to every single person who has ever shared a case online, attended an SOJ event, and made a donation. Progress and hope continue to be possible because of your generosity! So we invite you to join us for our 4th annual Day of Giving this Friday, to raise $20,000 to make an even greater impact and to create hope for thousands of people nationwide. 

With immense gratitude,
Sydney Pacha, CFRE