Grants

Investing in nonprofits that are advancing a new, transformative system of justice with the core values of racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness for all.

Grants Overview

Public Welfare Foundation awards grants to nonprofits that honor the Foundation’s core values of racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness for all. The Foundation looks for strategic points where its funds can make a significant difference and improve lives through policy and system reform that results in transformative change.

The Foundation funds organizations that currently hold a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service working in the United States. Organizations that do not have this status can apply with a fiscal sponsor. The Foundation does not fund individuals, scholarships, direct services, or international projects.

Grant Types: How We Fund the Work

General Support Grants

General support grants are for day-to-day operating costs or to further the work of your organization. These grants are not earmarked for a particular program or project.

Program or Project Support Grants

Program or project support grants support a specific program or activity of the organization. These are restricted grants and must be used for that program or project.

Special Opportunities Grants

The Special Opportunities Program supports projects reflecting the Foundation’s mission and underlying values. These are one-time only grants that are especially timely and compelling. At times, this kind of grant serves as a laboratory for new ideas.

Grants Awarded

Public Welfare Foundation awards grants throughout the year. Please see our database below to see what we have funded. Filter grants by fiscal year and program area.

  • New York, NY // 2013

    Center on Media, Crime and Justice

    $100,000 in general support; $75,000 for support for ongoing capacity-building of journalists to cover pretrial reform; $25,000 for support to educate journalists on the ACA's potential for increasing access health services for pretrial detainees.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Lansing, MI // 2013

    Citizens Alliance on Prisons & Public Spending

    General support.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Denver, CO // 2013

    Colorado Criminal Defense Institute

    Support for advocacy to reduce over-incarceration in Colorado through pretrial detention reform.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Council of State Governments Justice Center

    $180,000 in general support of the Council of State Governments' Justice Center and $270,000 to the Justice Center to develop expertise in the area of pretrial justice and assist in implementation of pretrial reform projects.
    Awarded
    $450,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Boston, MA // 2013

    Crime and Justice Institute

    Support to expand the organization's ability to provide expert technical assistance and training for pretrial detention reform and to help two California counties with pretrial reform implementation.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    Dewey Square Group

    Support to design and execute a communications campaign to support the pretrial advocacy field in influencing key decision makers and policymakers across the nation to embrace pretrial reform.
    Awarded
    $163,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Drug Policy Alliance

    Support to advance sentencing and pretrial detention reforms that would reduce incarceration rates in New Jersey.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Montgomery, AL // 2013

    Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama

    Support to challenge the underrepresentation of African Americans on criminal juries in the South and advocate for the reform of parole policies that contribute to Alabama's high rate of incarceration.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    36 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Long Island City, NY // 2013

    Fortune Society

    Support to advance sentencing reform efforts in New York State through coalition building, media advocacy and participation in the state's Sentencing Commission.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Alexandria, VA // 2013

    International Association of Chiefs of Police

    Support to raise awareness and understanding about the need for pretrial detention reform among law enforcement leaders throughout the country, encouraging them to take a leadership role on the issue of pretrial policy.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice