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 // 2019

    Worksafe

    General support.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Oakland, CA // 2019

    Youth Radio

    Support to expand Youth Radio Media’s National Youth Justice Desk, focusing on stories by and about system impacted youth.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2019

    W. Haywood Burns Institute

    Support for the planning and incubation of a national Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • San Francisco, CA // 2019

    Tides Foundation

    Support for Life Comes From It.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Oakland, CA // 2019

    ColorOfChange.Org Education Fund

    General support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Calabasas, CA // 2019

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Performing Statistics for youth led advocacy to end youth incarceration through arts based programming and exhibits.  
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2019

    Neighborhood Funders Group

    Support for Funders for a Just Economy.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2019

    Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy

    Support for the Clean and Safe Ports campaign, a coordinated campaign to enforce policies preventing the misclassification of truckers operating at the ports.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Salinas, CA // 2019

    Action Council of Monterey County

    Support for MILPA (Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement).
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Santa Barbara, CA // 2019

    Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

    Support to build the capacity of the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership to act as an effective intermediary for Colorado's community reinvestment initiative partners.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice