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.

  • Oklahoma City, OK // 2023

    Oklahoma Watch, Inc.

    Support for investigative reporting on Oklahoma's criminal and youth justice systems.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2023

    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
    Justice Reform
  • Denver, CO // 2023

    Denver Youth Program dba Metro Denver Partners

    Support for Denver Youth Program to decrease community violence through their hospital-based violence intervention and wraparound program.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Tulsa, OK // 2023

    Oklahoma Policy Institute

    Support for a landscape analysis 2.0 of the juvenile justice systems in Oklahoma and continue developing Oklahoma Policy Institute’s capacity for research and youth justice policy advocacy in Oklahoma.
    Awarded
    $360,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Oakland, CA // 2023

    National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform

    General Support and Support for policy and technical assistance on violence intervention strategies.
    Awarded
    $700,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • // 2023

    Hive Mentality

    Support to the Youth Innovator Squad.
    Awarded
    Term
    Program
  • Calabasas, CA // 2023

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Performing Statistics for youth-led, arts-based advocacy to end youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Washington, DC // 2023

    American University

    Support for WAMU/DCist criminal justice reporting.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2023

    Women With A Vision

    Program support for Women With A Vision’s youth justice and decriminalization initiatives
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Jackson, MS // 2022

    One Voice

    Support for One Voice to continue criminal justice reform and violence interruption work in Mississippi.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform