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.

  • New York, NY // 2024

    Associated Press

    Support deepening criminal and youth justice investigative reporting and improving journalism on criminal justice through language and skills training with other news outlets.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • New York, NY // 2024

    OpEd Project

    Support for The OpEd Project to enhance narrative change efforts around criminal justice.
    Awarded
    $180,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Ann Arbor, MI // 2024

    Regents of the University of Michigan

    Support for Michigan Radio to expand adult and youth justice reporting.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Baltimore, MD // 2024

    Baltimore Banner

    Support for criminal legal system reporting in Maryland.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2024

    Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

    Support for the True Line Project.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Anchorage, AK // 2024

    Koahnic Broadcast Corporation

    Support for a Native Americans in the Justice System series to comprehensively cover criminal justice issues from Native perspectives.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Washington, DC // 2024

    National Public Radio

    Support for National Public Radio's (NPR) coverage of adult criminal and youth justice reform and to fund two criminal justice education fly-in sessions in Washington DC (one per year).
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • New York, NY // 2024

    Futuro Media

    Support for Futoro's coverage of criminal justice and mass immigration issues and impacts in the United States.
    Awarded
    $112,500
    Term
    9 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, Louisiana // 2024

    Visiting Room Project

    Support for The Visiting Room Project's narrative change storytelling work.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    The Marshall Project

    Support for The Marshall Project's national reporting on criminal justice.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    11 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice