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.

  • St. Paul, MN // 2020

    TakeAction Minnesota Education Fund

    Support for Black Vision Collective to organize the Black Minneapolis community and dismantle systems of violence.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2020

    BlueGreen Alliance Foundation

    Support for Making Work Safer, Healthier, and More Equitable.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2018

    BlueGreen Alliance Foundation

    Support for Safer Chemicals, Safer Jobs Program.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2017

    Borealis Philanthropy

    Support for the Communities Transforming Policing Fund, a pooled donor fund supporting local police reform activities throughout the United States. 
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2016

    Borealis Philanthropy

    Support for organizational capacity building efforts of the Black-Led Movement Fund grantees.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2016

    BlueGreen Alliance Foundation

    Support for Health 2 - a program to protect the health of workers, communities and the environment with the second goal of improving the health the workers' rights movement.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Minneapolis, MN // 2014

    BlueGreen Alliance Foundation

    Support to promote occupational safety and health.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights