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.

  • Richmond, VA // 2017

    Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $35,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform to convene the Juvenile Justice Leadership Network. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Bronx, NY // 2017

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support to the Carolina Youth Action Project to advocate for the effective implementation of South Carolina's recent reform to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

    Support to educate membership about the need to advance sentencing reform at the national and state levels, as well as partner with state-based groups working to end mass incarceration. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

    Support to the Executives' Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. 
    Awarded
    $60,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Service Year Alliance

    Support for the Service Year Legal Corps Review project. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Durham, NC // 2017

    MDC, Inc.

    General support to assist with MDC Inc.'s 50th Anniversary Capacity Building Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Cambridge, MA // 2017

    Harvard Law School

    Support for a post-graduate fellowship program focused on improving access to civil justice through technical innovation.
    Awarded
    $80,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Campaign for Youth Justice

    Support to monitor and respond to new federal policy threats to youth justice reform. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2017

    Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

    Support for a campaign to implement new raise the age policies, and to reduce the transfer of youth to the adult systems in Louisiana. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice