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.

  • Seattle, WA // 2024

    ORS Impact

    Support for monitoring progress across jurisdictions and augment grantee self-report data with Key Perspective interviews in each jurisdiction.
    Awarded
    $405,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • seattle, WA // 2023

    ORS Impact

    Support for the programmatic evaluation of the Foundation’s work.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Opportunity
  • Seattle, WA // 2022

    ORS Impact

    Support for implementation of the programmatic evaluation and learning of the Foundation’s work.
    Awarded
    $585,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Seattle, WA // 2021

    ORS Impact

    Support for a programmatic evaluation and learning framework.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    3 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Bellevue, WA // 2021

    MomsRising Education Fund

    Support for MomsRising Education Fund’s online juvenile justice organizing, targeted at mothers.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Seattle, WA // 2021

    ORS Impact

    Support for an evaluation and learning framework.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    4 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Burien, WA // 2021

    CHOOSE 180

    Support for the Youth and Young Adult Advocacy Program.  
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Seattle, WA // 2020

    ORS Impact

    Support for an evaluation and learning framework.
    Awarded
    $95,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary
  • Bellevue, WA // 2020

    MomsRising Education Fund

    Support for reporting on youth justice reform issues.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Bellevue, WA // 2019

    MomsRising Education Fund

    Support for reporting on juvenile justice issues.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice