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.

  • Baltimore, MD // 2013

    Community Law in Action, Inc.

    Support for a campaign to end the automatic prosecution of youth in adult courts for certain crimes in Maryland.
    Awarded
    $170,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Center for Youth Justice Reform at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute to convene the Youth Justice Leadership Network and Public Information Officer Learning Collaborative.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Dallas, PA // 2013

    Justice Project, LLC

    Support for a documentary film produced by Justice Project LLC about the "kids for cash" judicial corruption scandal in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Evanston, IL // 2013

    Youth Justice Initiative of Illinois

    General support.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2013

    Youth Justice Project of Louisiana

    Support to advocate for the deincarceration of youth and conduct strategic organizational planning.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Philadelphia, PA // 2013

    Juvenile Law Center

    Support to implement juvenile justice system reforms in Pennsylvania, bring litigation challenges to laws allowing youth to be tried as adults and develop strategies to reduce lengths of stay for incarcerated youth.
    Awarded
    $330,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2013

    National Center for Youth Law

    Support to raise awareness of the role of implicit bias in creating racial disparities in juvenile justice.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Portland, OR // 2013

    National Indian Child Welfare Association

    Support to produce and disseminate a report on effective ways to reduce the overrepresentation of Native American youth in juvenile justice systems.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    National Youth Justice Network

    Support for a Fiscal Policy Center to provide technical assistance on budget analysis to juvenile justice advocates and a Youth Justice Leadership Institute to build leadership skills among juvenile justice advocates of color.
    Awarded
    $550,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Raleigh, NC // 2013

    NC Child

    Support for a campaign to end the automatic adult prosecution of 16- and 17-year olds and work to expand evidence-based alternatives to youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $85,200
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice