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.

  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

    General support.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2014

    Brennan Center for Justice

    Support to use research, communications and advocacy to reduce incarceration in America through a focus on fiscal incentives and funding streams.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Lansing, MI // 2014

    Citizens Alliance on Prisons & Public Spending

    General support.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Denver, CO // 2014

    Colorado Criminal Defense Institute

    Support for advocacy to advance pretrial detention reform and reduce overincarceration in Colorado.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Denver, CO // 2014

    Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

    General support.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2014

    Community Oriented Correctional Health Services

    Support to provide national and local stakeholders with education and technical assistance to create pretrial alternatives to detention leveraging Medicaid resources.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Wilmington, DE // 2014

    Delaware Center for Justice

    Support for advocacy on and implementation of pretrial risk assessment and community supervision programs to reduce unnecessary jail detention in Delaware.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Charlotte, NC // 2014

    Grassroots Leadership

    Support to explore opportunities for reducing federal prison populations and racial disparities by decreasing criminal prosecutions for immigration offenses in border states.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Alexandria, VA // 2014

    International Association of Chiefs of Police

    Support to raise awareness about the need for pretrial detention reform among law enforcement leaders throughout the country, encouraging them to take a leadership role on the issue.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Jail Project of Texas

    Support to undertake community and public education to advance pretrial detention reform.
    Awarded
    $105,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice