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.

  • Boston, MA // 2023

    New Profit, Inc.

    Support for New Profit’s third Unlocked Futures Catalyze cohort. New Profit’s Unlocked Futures initiative aims to increase visibility, remove barriers to capital, and build community with social entrepreneurs and communities who have been directly impacted by the American legal system.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2023

    Voices for Georgia’s Children

    Support for Voices for Georgia’s Children to produce a landscape analysis report of Georgia’s youth justice systems and accompanying policy and practice recommendations.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Denver, CO // 2023

    Colorado Circles for Change

    General
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2023

    Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

    Support for Vera Institute of Justice’s True Line Project focused on research and narrative change.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2023

    American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Louisiana

    Support to build staff capacity for ACLU of Louisiana’s youth justice work.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Ellenwood, GA // 2023

    Barred Business Foundation

    Support for Barred Business to further advance its Protected Campaign in Georgia, a community organizing initiative led by formerly incarcerated women to expand protected class protections to incarcerated people.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Grand Junction, CO // 2023

    Freedom Institute, Inc.

    Support to continue building its youth justice advocacy within the Transforming Justice Initiative framework.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2023

    National Center for Youth Law

    Support for the Lived Experience Advocacy Fellowship (LEAF) and the the Youth Justice Colorado Collaborative Coalition (YJCCC).
    Awarded
    $362,600
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Milwaukee, WI // 2023

    Milwaukee Freedom Fund Incorporated

    General
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Detroit, MI // 2023

    Faithfully Organizing Resources for Community Empowerment Detroit

    Support for continued growth to the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) pilot, continue building a coalition around CVI work in Detroit, and focus on narrative change on this issue.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice