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 // 2017

    Campaign for Youth Justice

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $800,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Lawrence, KS // 2017

    Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Inc.

    Support for the ongoing campaign to reform the state's juvenile justice system. 
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

    Support to provide technical assistance on fiscal and budget issues to youth decarceration campaigns, in coordination with Youth First! Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Economic Policy Institute

    Support for state-based analyses of wage theft and poverty and continued public promotion of research on arbitration. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    9 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2017

    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
  • Chicago, IL // 2017

    In These Times

    Support for original news coverage and commentary on workers' rights issues in In These Times magazine and online in the blog Working In These Times.
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    March on Washington Film Festival

    General support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    National Women’s Law Center

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • New York, NY // 2017

    NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund

    Support for a political participation program to protect voting rights and promote civic engagement among diverse communities. 
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Baltimore, MD // 2017

    NAACP

    Support for improved technology and strategic development of a national voting rights and civic engagement campaign.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities