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.

  • Louisville, KY // 2020

    Community Foundation of Louisville, Inc.

    Support for local, community rooted organizations in Louisville responding to racial injustice, protecting peaceful protests, COVID-19 response efforts, and to establish a scholarship fund to honor the lives of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Lexington, KY // 2020

    Kentucky Equal Justice Center

    Support for state advocacy for workplace safety.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Whitesburg, KY // 2019

    Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

    General support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lexington, KY // 2019

    United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities

    Support to raise awareness, provide peer support, guidance and resources to those who have lost loved ones from unsafe working environments.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Louisville, KY // 2018

    Kentucky Youth Advocates

    Support to advocate on improving Kentucky policies around the charging of youth, use of incarceration, and reducing racial disparities in the juvenile justice system.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Lexington, KY // 2018

    Kentucky Equal Justice Center

    Support to state advocacy for workplace policy.
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Lexington, KY // 2017

    United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Whitesburg, KY // 2017

    Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Jeffersontown, KY // 2016

    Kentucky Youth Advocates

    Support to advocate for the deinstitutionalization of youth charged with status offenses in Kentucky and the effective implementation of reforms to reduce incarceration.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Lexington, KY // 2016

    Kentucky Equal Justice Center

    Support for the workers' rights advocacy program.
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights