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.

  • New Orleans, Louisiana // 2024

    Visiting Room Project

    Support for The Visiting Room Project's narrative change storytelling work.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

    Support for LCCR to hire a Strategic Storyteller to develop a narrative campaign to combat negative public perceptions surrounding Black youth and crime.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2024

    Resilia

    Support for Resilia to provide individualized capacity building and technical assistance to a cohort of 25 Foundation partners.
    Awarded
    $100,765
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • New Orleans, Louisiana // 2024

    Ubuntu Village NOLA

    General support for Ubuntu Village NOLA.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    26 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2023

    Promise of Justice Initiative

    Support to Promise of Justice Initiative for a Louisiana commutation project.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2023

    The Lens

    Support to continue coverage of city and state criminal legal systems, expand youth justice coverage, and employ a full-time criminal justice reporter and freelance journalists.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • Calabasas, CA // 2023

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Performing Statistics for youth-led, arts-based advocacy to end youth incarceration.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2023

    Voice of the Experienced

    General Support
    Awarded
    $600,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2023

    Women With A Vision

    Program support for Women With A Vision’s youth justice and decriminalization initiatives
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform
  • New Orleans, LA // 2022

    Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-N.O.

    Support for a data landscape analysis of criminal and youth justice in Louisiana.
    Awarded
    $68,944
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Justice Reform