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.

  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Alliance for Justice

    Support for the Bolder Advocacy Initiative.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Legal Services Corporation

    Support to further improve data collection and analysis for its grantees to more effectively manage their respective operations and increase financial support for their work.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    The Praxis Project

    Support for #BlackLivesMatter.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Ciesla Foundation

    Support for distribution and outreach activities around the film Rosenwald.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    National Criminal Justice Association

    Support to assist target State Administering Agencies in taking a leadership role on pretrial reform in their jurisdictions.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Center for Youth Justice Reform to convene the Youth Justice Leadership Network.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Justice Policy Institute

    Support to provide state decarceration campaigns with technical assistance on developing policy reports.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    National Youth Justice Network

    To support an independent evaluation of its Youth Justice Leadership Institute.
    Awarded
    $45,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    March on Washington Film Festival

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    New Venture Fund

    Support to the Self-Represented Litigation Network for the development of a national online tool for the self-represented litigation service innovation.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund