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.

  • Washington, DC // 2017

    New America Foundation

    Support to assist in the research and design of an online best practices and national peer networking tool to aid the Self-Represented Litigation Network and the civil justice reform community. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

    Support to educate membership about the need to advance sentencing reform at the national and state levels, as well as partner with state-based groups working to end mass incarceration. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Bronx, NY // 2017

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support to the Carolina Youth Action Project to advocate for the effective implementation of South Carolina's recent reform to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform to convene the Juvenile Justice Leadership Network. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Richmond, VA // 2017

    Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $35,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Jobs with Justice Education Fund

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Immokalee, FL // 2017

    Coalition of Immokalee Workers

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Whitesburg, KY // 2017

    Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Working America Education Fund

    Support for communications research on occupational safety and health. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Baltimore, MD // 2017

    Centro de los Derechos del Migrante

    Support for strategy development and advocacy of migrant worker groups engaging in multinational trade talks related to labor. 
    Awarded
    $20,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights