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 // 2015

    American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

    Support to advocate for state policy reforms to reduce youth incarceration rates, end the practice of trying youth as adults and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system.
    Awarded
    $115,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2015

    Children’s Defense Fund – NY

    Support to advocate for more developmentally-appropriate juvenile justice policies in New York.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2015

    New York Law School

    Support for the Right to Counsel for Low-Income Tenants Facing Eviction program.
    Awarded
    $10,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2015

    Center for Popular Democracy

    Support for the Economic Justice Initiative.
    Awarded
    $175,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2015

    Global Workers Justice Alliance

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Center on Media, Crime and Justice

    $100,000 in general support; $75,000 for support for ongoing capacity-building of journalists to cover pretrial reform; $25,000 for support to educate journalists on the ACA's potential for increasing access health services for pretrial detainees.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Council of State Governments Justice Center

    $180,000 in general support of the Council of State Governments' Justice Center and $270,000 to the Justice Center to develop expertise in the area of pretrial justice and assist in implementation of pretrial reform projects.
    Awarded
    $450,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Drug Policy Alliance

    Support to advance sentencing and pretrial detention reforms that would reduce incarceration rates in New Jersey.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Long Island City, NY // 2013

    Fortune Society

    Support to advance sentencing reform efforts in New York State through coalition building, media advocacy and participation in the state's Sentencing Commission.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Legal Action Center

    Support to explore opportunities to reduce jail populations by diverting to the public health system certain people who would otherwise be detained pretrial, taking advantage of expanded Medicaid coverage resulting from federal health care reform.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice