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.

  • Minneapolis, MN // 2016

    BlueGreen Alliance Foundation

    Support for Health 2 - a program to protect the health of workers, communities and the environment with the second goal of improving the health the workers' rights movement.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Washington, DC // 2016

    Working America Education Fund

    Support for organizing worker power and protections in the gig economy era.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Covington, KY // 2016

    Children’s Law Center

    Support for Ohio juvenile justice advocacy work.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2016

    The R Street Institute

    Support for efforts to "raise the age" and limitations on "direct file."
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2016

    Social Impact Fund

    Support for the Justice Policy Network.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2016

    Texas Appleseed

    Support to ensure Texas' school-based law enforcement and juvenile justice policies are safe and unbiased.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2016

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Justice Lab.
    Awarded
    $40,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Washington, DC // 2016

    March on Washington Film Festival

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2016

    Public Citizen Foundation

    Support to increase collective capacity with the Americans for Financial Reform on halting forced arbitration provisions in consumer contracts.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2016

    ONE DC

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund