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.

  • San Francisco, CA // 2018

    Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice

    Support for the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center.
    Awarded
    $165,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2018

    W. Haywood Burns Institute

    Program support for coordinating a new research network to focus on structural racism in the administration of youth justice, and the Community Justice Network for Youth.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Fresno, CA // 2018

    Radio Bilingue, Inc.

    Support to increase Spanish news coverage of criminal justice reform issues impacting Latinos, including support for national Spanish public radio.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2018

    Community Partners

    Support for Healing Dialogue and Action.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2018

    Worksafe

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • San Jose, CA // 2018

    Working Partnerships USA

    General support and program support for the Making Work Pay Coalition. 
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Berkeley, CA // 2018

    East Bay Community Law Center

    Support for thought leadership and advocacy to reform the use of electronic monitoring in juvenile court at the local, state, and national levels. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    Tides Center

    Support for Californians for Safety and Justice, to advocate for statewide criminal justice reform, including building support among diverse constituencies.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute for Law and Policy

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    East Bay Community Foundation

    Support for engagement with fellow community foundations to support civil legal aid nationally. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid