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.

  • Durham, NC // 2022

    Emancipate NC

    General Support
    Awarded
    $80,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Durham, NC // 2021

    Forward Justice

    Support to advance narrative change strategies to usher a cultural shift that humanizes justice-involved people.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Charlotte, NC // 2020

    Center for Death Penalty Litigation

    Support to Wren Collective for a landscape analysis on indigent defense.
    Awarded
    $26,250
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Atlanta, GA // 2019

    Alternate Roots Inc.

    Support for SpiritHouse, an organization that uses culture, art and media to support the empowerment and transformation of communities most impacted by poverty, racism, gender inequity, criminalization and mass incarceration in North Carolina.
    Awarded
    $45,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Goldsboro, NC // 2018

    Repairers of the Breach

    Forward Justice to advance community-based justice reinvestment strategies, in partnership with system-impacted leaders in North Carolina. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Durham, NC // 2017

    MDC, Inc.

    General support to assist with MDC Inc.'s 50th Anniversary Capacity Building Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Durham, NC // 2016

    Southern Coalition for Social Justice

    Support for the Youth Justice Project.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Carrboro, NC // 2013

    National Health Law Program

    Support to provide research and expert technical assistance in support of the development of a model pretrial program to divert pretrial defendants from incarceration using behavioral health treatment services available through the Affordable Care Act.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Raleigh, NC // 2013

    NC Child

    Support for a campaign to end the automatic adult prosecution of 16- and 17-year olds and work to expand evidence-based alternatives to youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $85,200
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Charlotte, NC // 2014

    Grassroots Leadership

    Support to explore opportunities for reducing federal prison populations and racial disparities by decreasing criminal prosecutions for immigration offenses in border states.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice