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.

  • Austin, TX // 2017

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    Support for organizational and leadership organizational capacity-building. 
    Awarded
    $40,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Lansing, MI // 2017

    Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending

    Support for organizational and leadership organizational capacity-building. 
    Awarded
    $40,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Philadelphia, PA // 2017

    American Friends Service Committee

    Support for organizational and leadership organizational capacity-building.
    Awarded
    $40,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2017

    Borealis Philanthropy

    Support for the Communities Transforming Policing Fund, a pooled donor fund supporting local police reform activities throughout the United States. 
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    Bay Area Legal Aid

    Support for the first phase development of a new digital intake system to support efficiency and innovation among legal providers in improving access to justice for low-income residents in Northern California. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    Tides Foundation

    Support to the Indivisible Fund for its work to advance civic advocacy and engagement at the community level. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Equal Justice Works

    Support to help launch an advocacy campaign to retain the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Baltimore, MD // 2017

    University of Baltimore Foundation

    Support for the Maryland Access to Justice Commission. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Chicago, IL // 2017

    In These Times

    Support for original news coverage and commentary on workers' rights issues in In These Times magazine and online in the blog Working In These Times.
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2017

    Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy

    Support for the Clean and Safe Ports campaign, a coordinated campaign to enforce policies preventing the misclassification of truckers operating at the ports.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights