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 // 2025

    Empowerment Avenue Society

    Support for the Liberation for Writing Program.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • New York, NY // 2025

    Vital City

    Support for Translation Project which aims to communicate to policy makers interventions that create durable safety.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Waterloo, IA // 2025

    1619 Freedom School

    General support.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Oakland, CA // 2025

    Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition

    Support to Freedom 2030 campaign.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2025

    1235 Strategies

    Awarded
    $6,400
    Term
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2025

    1235 Strategies

    Awarded
    $264,000
    Term
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Baton Rouge, LA // 2025

    Louisiana Parole Project

    Support to implement Impacting Freedom Initiative.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Bethesda, MD // 2025

    Community Science, Inc.

    Support to provide individualized capacity building and technical assistance to a cohort of ten Foundation partners, and broader support for all partners.
    Awarded
    $104,500
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Philadelphia, PA // 2025

    American Friends Service Committee

    Support for the Criminal Justice Program to continue building its advocacy and narrative strategies to end extreme life and long sentences in Michigan.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Denver, CO // 2025

    Colorado Circles for Change

    General support.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
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