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.

  • Nashville, TN // 2024

    Unheard Voices Outread

    Support for formerly incarcerated person-led advocacy in Tennessee.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2024

    Think Tennessee

    Support for the first landscape report of Tennessee’s criminal legal system.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Boston, MA // 2023

    The GroundTruth Project, Inc.

    Support for Report for America’s efforts to fund reporters to cover criminal justice issues in communities across America.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Memphis, TN // 2023

    JustCity, Inc.

    Support for advocacy for pretrial justice, clean records, and to end fines and fees in Memphis.
    Awarded
    $225,000
    Term
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Colorado Springs, CO // 2023

    Voces Unidas for Justice

    Support to continue building its justice advocacy within the Transforming Justice Initiative framework. The goal is to expand the local definition of public safety to focus on and invest in activities proven to decrease crime and increase safety and moving money from law enforcement and jails to healing-focused community-based supports.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2023

    Free Hearts

    Support for advocacy in organizing families impacted by incarceration.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Knoxville, TN // 2023

    Community Defense of East Tennessee

    Support for organizing and advocacy in East Tennessee.
    Awarded
    $43,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Boston, MA // 2023

    Accelerate Change, Inc.

    Support for Accelerate Change’s criminal justice reform narrative campaign project.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2023

    Trace Media, Inc.

    Support for The Trace to promote solutions to gun violence through its new solutions newsletter.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Boston, MA // 2023

    New Profit, Inc.

    Support for New Profit’s third Unlocked Futures Catalyze cohort. New Profit’s Unlocked Futures initiative aims to increase visibility, remove barriers to capital, and build community with social entrepreneurs and communities who have been directly impacted by the American legal system.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice