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 // 2014

    Center for Children’s Law and Policy

    Support to provide technical assistance to Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and develop training materials on developing graduated responses to youth probation violations.
    Awarded
    $95,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Coalition for Youth Justice

    $50,000 in general support and $50,000 for support to provide training and technical assistance to the juvenile justice field on the deinstitutionalization of status offenders.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Community Foundation for the National Capital Region

    Support for the Youth Justice Work Group of the Youth Transition Funders Group.
    Awarded
    $10,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    DC Lawyers for Youth

    General support.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Justice Policy Institute

    Support for strategic planning for juvenile justice work.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    American University – Washington College of Law

    Support for the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University's Washington College of Law to develop training and advocacy materials on the human right to civil legal counsel.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Families Against Mandatory Minimums Foundation

    Support for the Clemency Project 2014.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    National Black Women’s Health Project

    General support.
    Awarded
    $15,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    National Legal Aid and Defender Association

    Support for development of a civil legal aid research website.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Alliance for Justice

    Support to provide training and technical assistance to Foundation grantees around rules and regulations that govern their actions in the civic arena.
    Awarded
    $70,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities