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.

  • Denver, CO // 2023

    Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition

    General Support
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Lansing, MI // 2023

    Safe & Just Michigan

    Support for Nation Outside to organize formerly incarcerated leaders in Michigan.
    Awarded
    400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Denver, CO // 2023

    Detroit Justice Center

    General Support
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Detroit, MI // 2023

    Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

    Support to the Michigan Justice Fund, a pooled fund to support coordinated justice reform efforts in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Colorado Springs, CO // 2023

    Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

    Support to Latino Coalition for Community Leadership to continue providing technical assistance and capacity building for the Transforming Justice Initiative.
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Tulsa, OK // 2023

    Oklahoma Policy Institute

    Support for a landscape analysis 2.0 of the juvenile justice systems in Oklahoma and continue developing Oklahoma Policy Institute’s capacity for research and youth justice policy advocacy in Oklahoma.
    Awarded
    $360,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • seattle, WA // 2023

    ORS Impact

    Support for the programmatic evaluation of the Foundation’s work.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Opportunity
  • Oakland, CA // 2023

    National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform

    General Support and Support for policy and technical assistance on violence intervention strategies.
    Awarded
    $700,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Honolulu, HI // 2023

    Housing Solutions Incorporated

    Support for Housing Solutions to pilot a transitional housing and supportive services model for women leaving incarceration in Hawaii.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Oakland, CA // 2023

    PHILANTHROPIC VENTURES FOUNDATION

    Support to Reckon With in mobilizing white people to be educated advocates against racial harm.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform