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.

  • Bridgeport, CT // 2014

    Connecticut Youth Justice Alliance

    Support for the Connecticut Youth Justice Alliance, which promotes a safe, effective, and fair juvenile justice system in Connecticut.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Community Foundation for the National Capital Region

    Support for the Youth Justice Work Group of the Youth Transition Funders Group.
    Awarded
    $10,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Coalition for Youth Justice

    $50,000 in general support and $50,000 for support to provide training and technical assistance to the juvenile justice field on the deinstitutionalization of status offenders.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Covington, KY // 2014

    Children’s Law Center

    Support for advocacy, education, and research to reduce youth detention and incarceration rates in the juvenile justice system, and decrease the number of youth tried as adults in Ohio.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Chicago, IL // 2014

    Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth

    Support for policy advocacy and litigation to protect youth against wrongful convictions in juvenile and criminal cases
    Awarded
    $185,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Center for Children’s Law and Policy

    Support to provide technical assistance to Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and develop training materials on developing graduated responses to youth probation violations.
    Awarded
    $95,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Milwaulkee, WI // 2014

    WISDOM

    Support for statewide grassroots education and advocacy activities to advance criminal justice reform in Wisconsin, including sentencing reform and alternatives to incarceration.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    The Constitution Project

    Support for the Right-Left Justice Working Group to leverage momentum and advocate for federal criminal justice reform.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    General support.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2014

    Southern Center for Human Rights

    Support to reduce rates of incarceration in Georgia and Alabama through high-impact litigation, research, advocacy and coalition building.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice