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 York, NY // 2024

    Futuro Media

    Support for Futoro's coverage of criminal justice and mass immigration issues and impacts in the United States.
    Awarded
    $112,500
    Term
    9 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    The Marshall Project

    Support for The Marshall Project's national reporting on criminal justice.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    11 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    National Black Theatre, Inc.

    Support for The Gathering: A Space for Narrative change, a performance and educational series at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., that will examine police brutality and cultural violence in America.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    Capital B News, Inc.

    Support to the creation of high-quality, relevant, criminal justice reporting to underserved Black American communities.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    Neighborhood Defender Service

    Support for Neighborhood Defender Service to launch a holistic Public Defense System in Jackson, and Pilot its PACE Program in the Antelope Valley in California.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2024

    Common Justice

    Support to collaborate with People's Advocacy Institute to expand the use of restorative justice-based alternatives to incarceration in Jackson, MS
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2024

    Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc

    Support to advance a Peer Support Services and emerging Leaders Program for justice-involved adults and opportunity youth in New Orleans.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2024

    Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

    Program support for Vera Louisiana to launch a criminal justice data dashboard.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2023

    Trace Media, Inc.

    Support for The Trace to promote solutions to gun violence through its new solutions newsletter.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2023

    Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

    Support for Vera Institute of Justice’s True Line Project focused on research and narrative change.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice