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.

  • New York, NY // 2020

    Vera Institute of Justice

    Support to increase postsecondary education opportunities for incarcerated people.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2020

    FAMM

    General support.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Savannah, GA // 2020

    Deep Center

    Support for Still Astronauts, an initiative to transform Chatham County’s and Georgia’s juvenile and adult criminal justice systems.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Milwaukee, WI // 2020

    Greater Milwaukee Foundation

    Support to the Blueprint for Peace Fund in its public health approach to violence prevention that prioritizes areas hardest hit by persistent violence and incarceration in Milwaukee.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Milwaukee, WI // 2020

    Wisconsin Voices Inc

    Support to the African-American Roundtable and expansion of the LiberateMKE campaign to mobilize residents around alternatives to incarceration and community reinvestment in Milwaukee.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Calabasas, CA //

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Women Involved in Reentry Efforts to mobilize formerly incarcerated women to lead criminal justice reform efforts in Washington, D.C.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2020

    The Education Trust

    Support for the campaign to ensure access to higher education for incarcerated students.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Colombus, OH // 2020

    Halt Violence

    Support to implement violence prevention and interruption efforts in impacted neighborhoods in Columbus.
    Awarded
    $60,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Mechanicsville, VA // 2020

    Women’s Institute for Science Equity and Race

    General support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary
  • Oakland, CA // 2020

    W. Haywood Burns Institute

    Support to engage practitioners, providers, and community groups to reduce racial disparities in juvenile justice systems.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice