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.

  • Oakland, CA // 2021

    W. Haywood Burns Institute

    Support to engage practitioners, providers, and community groups to reduce racial disparities in juvenile justice systems.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Azusa, CA // 2021

    Urban Association of Forestry and Fire Professionals Inc

    Support for the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program’s Worker Hub and Social Enterprise Program.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Calabasas, CA // 2021

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support for Women on the Rise, a grassroots organization led by directly impacted women working on justice reform in Georgia.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Santa Barbara, CA // 2021

    Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

    Support for The Freedom Institute to serve as a local anchor organization in Mesa County, Colorado as part of the Transforming Justice Initiative.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Oakland, CA // 2020

    Common Counsel Foundation

    Support for Visionary Freedom Fund to support youth justice reform movements across the country.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • San Francisco, CA // 2020

    American University

    Support to the DCist to pursue community led reporting on criminal justice-related stories in D.C. wards east of the river grappling with incarceration and violence.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Oakland, CA // 2020

    Hispanics In Philanthropy

    Support to Justice for Migrant Women for a national essential worker’s strategy and farmworker women organizing, in response to COVID-19 and racial justice uprisings.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Calabasas, CA // 2020

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support for National Alianza for Latino Youth Justice to end incarceration for Latinx youth.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Calabasas, CA // 2020

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support for the Defender Impact Initiative.  
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • 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