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 // 2025

    ORS Impact

    To support ORS impact continued work in support evaluation research analysis across foundation sites.
    Awarded
    $489,800
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Washington, DC // 2025

    Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

    General support.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • New York, NY // 2025

    Catalyze Justice

    Support to host a national youth justice convening in Washington DC.
    Awarded
    $440,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Princeton, NJ // 2024

    Princeton University

    To establish a Research and Practice Network on Gun Violence Reduction with the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform.
    Awarded
    $409,323
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • // 2024

    Fund for a Safer Future

    Support for the FY2024 Community- Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Grantee Conference.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Oakland, CA // 2024

    National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform

    To establish a Research and Practice Network on Gun Violence Reduction with Princeton University.
    Awarded
    $222,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Washington, DC // 2024

    Greater Washington Community Foundation

    Support the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Senior Fellow focused on coordinating private and public community safety and harm reduction efforts in Washington D.C.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Washington, DC // 2024

    Greater Washington Community Foundation

    Support the Greater Washington Community Foundation's work around the Guaranteed Income Pilot in Washington D.C. This pilot program encompasses support efforts of free cash assistance to low-income residents in Washington D.C. Maryland, and Virginia leading the GWCF creating the Let's Go DMV campaign to provide economic prosperity across the Greater Washington region.
    Awarded
    $205,060
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Resilia

    Support for Resilia to provide individualized capacity building and technical assistance to a cohort of 25 Foundation partners.
    Awarded
    $100,765
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Bethesda, MD // 2024

    Community Science, Inc.

    Support for Community Science to provide individualized capacity building and technical assistance to a cohort of ten Foundation partners and broader support for all partners.
    Awarded
    $113,716
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity