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.

  • Washington, DC // 2019

    National Employment Law Project

    Support to advance and protect workers’ rights through direct workplace and economic research, policy analysis, education, technical support, and technical assistance for state and local advocacy.
    Awarded
    $700,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2019

    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
  • New York, NY // 2019

    Vera Institute of Justice

    Support for Restoring Promise, an initiative of Vera Institute of Justice that partners with prisons and jails across the country to transform living and working conditions inside facilities.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Chicago, IL // 2019

    Interfaith Worker Justice

    Support to advance reforms against wage theft, strengthen network of worker centers and advocates, and engage faith communities in the fight for workplace health and safety.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative

    Support to implement violence prevention and interruption efforts in impacted neighborhoods in Ward 8 in the District of Columbia.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    Training Grounds Inc.

    Support to implement violence prevention and interruption efforts in impacted neighborhoods in Wards 6 and 7 in the District of Columbia.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens

    General support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Atlanta, GA // 2019

    Alternate Roots Inc.

    Support for SpiritHouse, an organization that uses culture, art and media to support the empowerment and transformation of communities most impacted by poverty, racism, gender inequity, criminalization and mass incarceration in North Carolina.
    Awarded
    $45,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    Collaborative Solutions for Communities

    Support to implement violence prevention and interruption efforts in impacted neighborhoods in Wards 1-5 in the District of Columbia.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Chicago, IL // 2019

    Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic

    General support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund