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.

  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Pretrial Justice Institute

    Support to assist in executing a communications media campaign in support of the pretrial reform field and, specifically, the Pretrial Cabinet.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Pretrial Justice Institute

    General support.
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2014

    Southern Center for Human Rights

    Support to reduce rates of incarceration in Georgia and Alabama through high-impact litigation, research, advocacy and coalition building.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    General support.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    The Constitution Project

    Support for the Right-Left Justice Working Group to leverage momentum and advocate for federal criminal justice reform.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Milwaulkee, WI // 2014

    WISDOM

    Support for statewide grassroots education and advocacy activities to advance criminal justice reform in Wisconsin, including sentencing reform and alternatives to incarceration.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2014

    Brennan Center for Justice

    Support for research and advocacy to reform federal prosecutorial practices contributing to overincarceration.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    National Criminal Justice Association

    Support to educate NCJA membership about pretrial reform and assist target State Administering Agencies in taking a leadership role on pretrial reform in their jurisdictions.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2013

    American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education

    Support for the organization's Criminal Justice Section's Racial Justice Improvement Project, which seeks to reduce criminal justice racial disparities in target sites using data analysis and stakeholder consensus.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice