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.

  • Detroit, MI // 2025

    Michigan Justice Fund

    Support to the Michigan Justice Fund, a pooled fund to support coordinated justice reform efforts in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Detroit, MI // 2025

    Detroit Justice Center

    General support.
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    14 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Detroit, MI // 2025

    Nation Outside

    Support for Nation Outside to organize formerly incarcerated leaders in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Detroit, MI // 2025

    Michigan Liberation Education Fund

    Support for Michigan Liberation Education Fund.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • 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
  • 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
  • Ann Arbor, MI // 2024

    Regents of the University of Michigan

    Support for Michigan Radio to expand adult and youth justice reporting.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Ann Arbor, MI // 2024

    Michigan Center for Youth Justice

    Support the development and implementation of Voices of Justice: A Michigan Youth Fellowship Program focused on reducing youth involvement in Michigan’s carceral system.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Philadelphia, PA // 2024

    American Friends Service Committee

    Support for community organizing and advocacy to address extreme sentencing in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Milwaukee, WI // 2024

    Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, Inc.

    Support for Metcalfe Park Community Bridges to support systems involved persons in their leadership growth to positively impact the Metcalfe Park community in Milwaukee.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice