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.

  • Milwaukee, WI // 2025

    Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Inc.

    Support to continue the Youth Justice Partnership Fund.
    Awarded
    $420,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Boston, MA // 2025

    Crime and Justice Institute

    Support for a data landscape report on Mississippi's adult and youth justice systems.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Annapolis, MD // 2025

    Advance Maryland Education Fund

    Support to create a Youth Rights and Safety Communications Hub focused on changing harmful media narratives of young people and crime in Maryland.
    Awarded
    $108,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2025

    The Lens

    Support to continue coverage of city and state criminal legal systems, expand youth justice coverage, and employ a full-time criminal justice reporter and freelance journalists.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2025

    Capital B News Inc.

    Support to the creation of high-quality, relevant, criminal justice reporting to underserved Black American communities.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Tulsa, OK // 2025

    Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

    Support for Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Detroit, MI // 2025

    Michigan Justice Fund

    Support to the Michigan Justice Fund, a pooled fund to support coordinated justice reform efforts in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Hapeville, GA // 2025

    Women on the Rise

    General support for Women on the Rise.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justsice
  • Tulsa, OK // 2025

    Oklahoma Policy Institute

    Support for an update to the landscape analysis of the juvenile justice systems in Oklahoma and continue developing Oklahoma Policy Institute’s capacity for research and youth justice policy advocacy in Oklahoma.
    Awarded
    $360,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Jackson, MS // 2025

    Reaching and Educating For Community Hope (RECH) Foundation

    Program and capacity support for Reaching and Educating for Community Hope’s comprehensive community-based programming and education activities to end juvenile life without parole sentences in MS.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice