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

    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
    Narrative Change
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Visiting Room Project

    Support for The Vising Room Project's narrative change storytelling work.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • 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
    Narrative Change
  • Jackson, MS // 2024

    People’s Advocacy Institute

    General support.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2024

    Southern Center for Human Rights

    General support.
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Knoxville, TN // 2024

    Community Defense of East Tennessee

    Support to deepen outreach in the current jurisdictions and expand further into East Tennessee.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Princeton, NJ // 2024

    Princeton University

    To establish a Research and Practice Network on Gun Violence Reduction with the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform.
    Awarded
    $409,323
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • // 2024

    Fund for a Safer Future

    Support for the FY2024 Community- Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Grantee Conference.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Oakland, CA // 2024

    National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform

    To establish a Research and Practice Network on Gun Violence Reduction with Princeton University.
    Awarded
    $222,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Kalamazoo, MI // 2024

    Bent Not Broken

    Support for Bent Not Broken’s youth participatory defense pilot focused on reducing the amount of youth experiencing the criminal legal system in Kalamazoo County.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice