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.

  • Baltimore, MD // 2016

    United Workers Association

    General Support and Building Workers Rights Coalition for Maryland.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Baltimore, MD // 2016

    Public Justice Center

    Support for the Workplace Justice Project.
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Gaithersburg, MD // 2015

    Pretrial Justice Institute

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $860,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Baltimore, MD // 2015

    Community Law in Action, Inc.

    Support for a campaign to end the automatic prosecution of youth in adult courts for certain crimes in Maryland.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Baltimore, MD // 2015

    Centro de los Derechos del Migrante

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Silver Spring, MD // 2015

    Catholic Legal Immigration Network

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Baltimore, MD // 2015

    Public Justice Center

    Support to implement a targeted fundraising strategy to bolster and sustain the National Coalition for a Right to Civil Counsel.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Baltimore, MD // 2013

    Community Law in Action, Inc.

    Support for a campaign to end the automatic prosecution of youth in adult courts for certain crimes in Maryland.
    Awarded
    $170,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Baltimore, MD // 2013

    University of Maryland School of Law

    Support to promote the development of pretrial legal clinics at law schools throughout the United States.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Baltimore, MD // 2013

    Public Justice Center

    Support to lead the National Coalition for a Right to Civil Counsel and advance civil rights to legal counsel for the poor.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid