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 // 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
  • Centennial, CO // 2024

    Denver Community Development Corporation

    Support for youth justice in Colorado.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2024

    Southern Movement Committee

    General support for Southern Movement Committee.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Calabasas, CA // 2023

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Performing Statistics for youth-led, arts-based advocacy to end youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Calabasas, CA // 2022

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support for RISE for Youth to dismantle the current prison model, create and expand community alternatives to youth incarceration in Virginia.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Bronx, NY // 2021

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support for effective community-driven alternatives to incarceration for youth.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Washington, DC // 2021

    New Venture Fund

    Support for Youth First Initiative to end youth incarceration and redirect resources toward community programs.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Ann Arbor, MI // 2020

    Michigan Center for Youth Justice

    Support to advance youth decarceration and reform Michigan’s youth justice system.
    Awarded
    $415,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Newark, NJ // 2020

    New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

    Support for a statewide campaign to close youth prisons and reinvest in communities.
    Awarded
    $602,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2020

    Columbia University

    Support to the Justice Lab for technical assistance to Milwaukee’s juvenile justice system leaders to end Milwaukee’s use of state custody for youth.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice