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.

  • Chicago, IL // 2014

    American Bar Foundation

    Project support for Increasing Access to Justice through Expanded Roles Beyond Lawyers: Developing and Testing an Evaluation Framework.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • New York, NY // 2014

    Brennan Center for Justice

    Support for research and advocacy to reform federal prosecutorial practices contributing to overincarceration.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Children’s Defense Fund

    General support.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Boston, MA // 2014

    Community Labor United

    Support for the Good Jobs-Strong Communities Subcontracting/Outsourcing Campaign
    Awarded
    $65,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Bakersfield, CA // 2014

    Dolores Huerta Foundation

    Support to update technological equipment as the group transitions to a new fundraising base and approach.
    Awarded
    $15,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • New York, NY // 2014

    Human Rights Watch

    Support for research on youth tried as adults and work to advance juvenile justice reform in California
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Jobs With Justice Education Fund

    Support for the Future of Bargaining Project.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Jeffersontown, KY // 2014

    Kentucky Youth Advocates

    Support to partner with Children's Law Center to advocate for deinstitutionalizing youth charged with status offenses in Kentucky and for effective implementation of reforms to reduce youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2014

    Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

    Support for research and advocacy to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in Louisiana.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Lansing, MI // 2014

    Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency

    Support to promote fiscal incentives for use of alternatives to youth incarceration and to lead a campaign to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice