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 // 2026

    FREE Movement, Inc.

    Support FREE to continue its core programming work for systems-impacted women.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2026

    Youth Law Center

    Support to strengthen youth justice coalition building in Tennessee focused on stopping the expansion of youth prisons and building the case for concrete and actionable alternatives to incarceration.
    Awarded
    $800,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Ann Arbor, MI // 2026

    Michigan Center for Youth Justice

    Support to establish a coalition focused on addressing youth incarceration through the effective use of Michigan’s Child Care Fund (CCF).
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2026

    Southern Center for Human Rights

    General support for Southern Center for Human Rights 2026 - 2029 Campaign to Transform Georgia's Criminal Legal System.
    Awarded
    $900,000
    Term
    36 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2026

    United Way of Greater Atlanta

    Support for the Georgia Justice Funders Table, a pooled fund to support coordinated criminal legal reform in Georgia.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Colorado Springs, CO // 2026

    Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

    Support to Latino Coalition for Community Leadership to continue providing technical assistance and capacity building for coalition work in Colorado.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2026

    Free Hearts

    Support for Free Hearts’ work to advance alternatives to incarceration, develop impacted leaders, and strengthen justice coalitions in Tennessee.
    Awarded
    $1,050,000
    Term
    36 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Ridgeland, Mississippi // 2026

    Mississippi Today

    Support for expanded youth justice investigations and coverage in Mississippi.
    Awarded
    $300,00
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Washington, DC // 2026

    Washington Performing Arts Society

    Program Support Grant to the Washington Performing Arts Youth Choir.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Atlanta, GA // 2026

    Georgia Justice Project

    Support to Georgia Justice Project to continue its work to address the collateral consequences of justice system involvement and to support the implementation of the Survivor Justice Act.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
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