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 // 2013

    National Employment Law Project

    Support to continue a coordinated national campaign with Community Legal Services, its sub-grantee, to reduce unnecessary structural barriers to employment for people with criminal records.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Bronx, NY // 2013

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support to provide training and technical assistance to support community-led efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Columbia School of Law

    Support to host a convening of advocates to develop a national policy agenda and briefing paper on LGBTQ concerns in relation to criminal justice.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • New York, NY // 2013

    Pro Bono Net

    Support for a convening of the Self-Represented Litigation Network to assess its future role, activities and priorities in the area of access to justice for the self-represented.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2013

    Center for Popular Democracy

    Support for a convening on worker justice.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2013

    Global Workers Justice Alliance

    General support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2013

    Make the Road New York

    Support for the Workplace Justice Program.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2013

    National Economic and Social Rights Initiative

    General support.
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2013

    National Economic and Social Rights Initiative

    Support for research, advocacy and strategic coordination of workers' compensation reform.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2013

    National Employment Law Project

    Support to highlight worker perspectives for the Department of Labor's celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act and to address issues related to unemployment insurance.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights