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.

  • Little Rock, AR // 2013

    Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

    Support for advocacy to expand the use of alternatives to youth incarceration in Arkansas.
    Awarded
    $320,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Baltimore, MD // 2013

    University of Maryland School of Law

    Support to promote the development of pretrial legal clinics at law schools throughout the United States.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2013

    Tides Center

    Support for Californians for Safety and Justice.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    The Sentencing Project

    General support.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    The Constitution Project

    $20,000 in general support for one year and $80,000 in project support over two years to foster the development of a "Right-Left Justice Working Group" to support criminal justice reform at the federal level.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2013

    Texas Public Policy Foundation

    Support to continue criminal justice reform efforts in Texas and generate national support for criminal justice reform among conservative audiences through the Right on Crime initiative.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Easthampton, MA // 2013

    Prison Policy Initiative

    Support to advocate for change in the U.S. Census Bureau's practice of counting prisoners where they are incarcerated rather than in their home communities.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Carrboro, NC // 2013

    National Health Law Program

    Support to provide research and expert technical assistance in support of the development of a model pretrial program to divert pretrial defendants from incarceration using behavioral health treatment services available through the Affordable Care Act.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    National Employment Law Project

    Support to continue a coordinated national campaign with Community Legal Services, its sub-grantee, to reduce unnecessary structural barriers to employment for people with criminal records.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    National Criminal Justice Association

    Support to elevate the issue of pretrial detention reform through education and technical assistance among State Administering Agencies, which distribute and monitor federal and state criminal justice formula grants.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 month
    Program
    Criminal Justice