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.

  • Bridgeport, CT // 2018

    Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership

    Support for the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Portland, OR // 2018

    Northwest Employment Education and Defense Fund

    General support and program support for state policy coalition.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Dorchester, MA // 2018

    Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health

    General support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Boston, MA // 2018

    Community Labor United

    General and program support.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2018

    Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

    Support to advance state-base advocacy strategies for increased access to prison-based college education in target states; with the goal of removing the federal ban on access to Pell.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2018

    Common Justice

    General support.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Atlanta, GA // 2018

    Southern Center for Human Rights

    General support.
    Awarded
    $140,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2018

    March on Washington Film Festival

    General support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Lansing, MI // 2018

    Safe & Just Michigan

    Support for the National Network of Justice.
    Awarded
    $141,600
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2018

    The Marshall Project

    Support for the "Changing the Narrative on Criminal Justice" Speaker Series.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice