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.

  • Atlanta, GA // 2022

    Georgia Justice Project

    Support to expand expungement access across Georgia and to advocate for policy reforms that help reduce reentry barriers for those with previous criminal legal system involvement.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Washington, DC // 2022

    National Juvenile Defender Center

    Support to (NJDC) as it rebrands into the Gault Center to acknowledge the power that language has on systemic outcomes and racial equity.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • New Orleans, LA // 2022

    Operation Restoration

    Support to Block Builderz for directly impacted leadership in Oklahoma to build organizational capacity to address the harms of mass incarceration and promote racial justice.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Madison, WI // 2022

    EX-incarcerated People Organizing

    Support to advance EXPO's justice reinvestment efforts in Wisconsin.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • San Francisco, CA // 2022

    Tides Center

    Support for the Powell Project to advance policy and litigation around extreme sentencing in Colorado.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2022

    Inside Climate News

    Support to provide reporting and analysis on climate, energy, and environmental news.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2022

    New Venture Fund

    Support to the Youth First State Advocacy Fund for state-based advocacy campaigns focused on redirecting resources from youth prisons to community-based approaches, rooted in racial equity.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Washington, DC // 2022

    American University

    Support for the WAMU/DCist newsroom to further develop and expand their criminal justice reporting hub.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Washington, DC // 2022

    School Justice Project

    Support for special education legal services and advocacy for court-involved students with disabilities.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Lansing, MI // 2022

    Safe & Just Michigan

    Support to advance policies to decrease prison population, increase public investment in services, and decrease collateral consequences of criminal convictions.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform