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.

  • Kalamazoo, MI // 2024

    Gryphon Place

    Support for Gryphon Place’s Justice Lifted Youth Arrest Diversion Program (JLADP) focused on reducing the number of youth experiencing the criminal legal system in Kalamazoo County.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2024

    Greater Washington Community Foundation

    Support the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Senior Fellow focused on coordinating private and public community safety and harm reduction efforts in Washington D.C.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Madison, WI // 2024

    Kids Forward

    Support Kids Forward to plan and build a Wisconsin Youth Justice Coalition focused on reducing the number of Black and Brown youth impacted by incarceration in the state.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Madison, WI // 2024

    Wisconsin Examiner

    Support for criminal legal system reporting in Wisconsin.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Milwaukee, WI // 2024

    Wisconsin Policy Forum Inc.

    To support the creation and dissemination of a criminal legal data landscape report for Wisconsin.
    Awarded
    $115,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2024

    Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

    Support to conduct a public campaign on Tennessee’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    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
    Narrative Change
  • Denver, CO // 2024

    Bread and Roses Legal Center

    Support for Bread and Roses Legal Center to decrease the negative impact of the carceral state on trans people of color in Colorado.
    Awarded
    $116,400
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2024

    Justice Policy Institute

    Support to advance policy reform with regard to D.C.’s approach to justice-involved young adults.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Milwaukee, WI // 2024

    FREE Movement Inc.

    Support FREE to continue its core programming work for systems-impacted women.
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice