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 Orleans, LA // 2025

    The Lens

    Support to continue coverage of city and state criminal legal systems, expand youth justice coverage, and employ a full-time criminal justice reporter and freelance journalists.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2025

    Voice of the Experienced

    To continue support to build the leadership of directly impacted people and scaling initiatives, advocating for removing housing barriers for returning citizens, and organizing to eliminate harsh farm lines at Angola State Penitentiary. VOTE will also continue to advocate for nonunanimous jury retroactivity and improved medical care for formerly and currently incarcerated people.
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2025

    Promise of Justice Intitiative

    To support PJI's statewide criminal legal reform efforts aimed at improving prison conditions and decarcerating the incarcerated population.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • 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
  • Baton Rouge, LA // 2024

    Louisiana Parole Project

    LPP’s aims to train and develop a network of formerly incarcerated leaders who are groomed to spearhead systems change in Louisiana when the time is ripe. LPP proposes to convene a select group of formerly incarcerated people to learn how to create and run a successful non-profit, effectively network with system stakeholders, learn the policy making processes, craft compelling narratives, and develop effective relationship and coalition building skills.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Foundation For Louisiana

    Support for The Louisiana Justice Fund.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, Louisiana // 2024

    Visiting Room Project

    Support for The Visiting Room Project's narrative change storytelling work.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

    Support for LCCR to hire a Strategic Storyteller to develop a narrative campaign to combat negative public perceptions surrounding Black youth and crime.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Resilia

    Support for Resilia to provide individualized capacity building and technical assistance to a cohort of 25 Foundation partners.
    Awarded
    $100,765
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • New Orleans, Louisiana // 2024

    Ubuntu Village NOLA

    General support for Ubuntu Village NOLA.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    26 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice