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.

  • Calabasas, CA // 2020

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Performing Statistics for arts-based advocacy to end youth incarceration in Virginia.  
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    New Venture Fund

    Support for Youth First Initiative to end youth incarceration and redirect resources toward community programs.
    Awarded
    $602,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Bronx, NY // 2019

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support for effective community-driven alternatives to incarceration for youth.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2019

    Human Rights Watch

    Support for advocacy and implementation work around California’s reforms in youth transfer and sentencing laws.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2019

    Columbia University

    Support to the Justice Lab for the Youth Correctional leaders for Justice.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania // 2019

    Media Mobilizing Project

    Support for the Youth Art and Self-Empowerment Project and a pilot technical assistance model in Philadelphia.
    Awarded
    $70,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Little Rock, AR // 2013

    Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

    Support for advocacy to expand the use of alternatives to youth incarceration in Arkansas.
    Awarded
    $320,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • 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
  • Newark, NJ // 2014

    New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

    Support to advocate for reduced reliance on youth incarceration and transfer to the adult system in New Jersey.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Coalition for Youth Justice

    $50,000 in general support and $50,000 for support to provide training and technical assistance to the juvenile justice field on the deinstitutionalization of status offenders.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice