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.

  • Covington, KY // 2016

    Children’s Law Center

    Support for Ohio juvenile justice advocacy work.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Whitesburg, KY // 2015

    Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lexington, KY // 2015

    Kentucky Equal Justice Center

    Support for advocacy, litigation, and coalition building to advance policy remedies for wage theft.
    Awarded
    $80,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lexington, KY // 2015

    United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $230,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lexington, KY // 2013

    Kentucky Equal Justice Center

    Support for continuing efforts to bring about policy reforms that would benefit low-income workers in Kentucky, including improving access to private counsel for wage theft claims and protecting workers from misclassification as independent contractors.
    Awarded
    $80,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Jeffersontown, KY // 2014

    Kentucky Youth Advocates

    Support to partner with Children's Law Center to advocate for deinstitutionalizing youth charged with status offenses in Kentucky and for effective implementation of reforms to reduce youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Lexington, KY // 2014

    Kentucky Equal Justice Center

    Support for continuing efforts to advocate for reforms that would benefit low-income workers in Kentucky.
    Awarded
    $80,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Whitesburg, KY // 2014

    Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

    Support for the Coal Miner Health and Safety Project.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Covington, KY // 2014

    Children’s Law Center

    Support for advocacy, education, and research to reduce youth detention and incarceration rates in the juvenile justice system, and decrease the number of youth tried as adults in Ohio.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Lexington, KY // 2013

    United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities

    General support.
    Awarded
    $230,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights