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.

  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    Tides Center

    Support for Californians for Safety and Justice, to advocate for statewide criminal justice reform, including building support among diverse constituencies.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Brunswick, NJ // 2017

    Rutgers University – Center for Innovation in Worker Organization

    Support for education state and local labor departments on strategic enforcement practices. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lansdowne, VA // 2017

    Prison Fellowship Ministries

    Support to mobilize grassroots prison ministry volunteers to advance sentencing reform in target states. 
    Awarded
    $320,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    The Sentencing Project

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    New Venture Fund

    Support for the Youth First Initiative.
    Awarded
    $900,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    Human Rights Watch

    Support for research and advocacy to reduce the number of youth tried as adults and reduce youth incarceration in California. 
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Bronx, NY // 2017

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support to provide technical assistance and training on building community capacity for alternatives to youth incarceration and reducing racial disparities in juvenile justice systems. 
    Awarded
    $325,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Center for Public Integrity

    Support to produce original investigative journalism that holds policymakers accountable to the public, for a workers' rights reporting beat. 
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lexington, KY // 2017

    United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Innovation Network, Inc.

    Support to conduct an independent evaluation of the Youth First Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $285,000
    Term
    36 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities