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.

  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute for Law and Policy

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2017

    Center for Popular Democracy

    Support for the Forced Arbitration Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    East Bay Community Foundation

    Support for engagement with fellow community foundations to support civil legal aid nationally. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Public Citizen Foundation

    Support to build capacity for strategic advocacy in a challenging policy environment. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2017

    Drug Policy Alliance

    Support to advance sentencing and pretrial detention reforms to reduce incarceration rates in New Jersey.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    National Employment Law Project

    Support for a coordinated national campaign to reduce unnecessary structural barriers to employment for people with criminal records. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc.

    Support to advance sentencing reform in Mississippi.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Justice Policy Institute

    Support to convene strategic thought-leaders in the criminal justice reform field to explore new challenges faced by advocacy groups across the political spectrum working on justice reform issues.
    Awarded
    $103,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    LatinoJustice PRLDEF

    Support to engage Latinos in criminal justice reform efforts. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Medford, MA // 2017

    Law Enforcement Action Partnership

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice