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 // 2019

    Type Media Center

    Support for the Type Media Fellowship.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    National Employment Law Project

    Support to advance and protect workers’ rights through direct workplace and economic research, policy analysis, education, technical support, and technical assistance for state and local advocacy.
    Awarded
    $700,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2019

    Vera Institute of Justice

    Support for Restoring Promise, an initiative of Vera Institute of Justice that partners with prisons and jails across the country to transform living and working conditions inside facilities.
    Awarded
    $1,000,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2019

    Justice in Motion

    Support to advocate for policy reforms protecting migrant rights across borders including training lawyers in the U.S. and Latin America on issues in transnational cases for migrant workers.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2019

    Make the Road New York

    Support for New York State Low-Wage Worker Organizing Table to advance workers' rights through organizing, legal services, worker training, and local and state advocacy.
    Awarded
    $900,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2019

    Center for Popular Democracy

    Support for coordination of state coalitions and forced arbitration campaigns.
    Awarded
    $700,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • New York, NY // 2018

    New World Foundation

    Support for the Diverse Asset Managers Initiative.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    President's Discretionary Fund
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2018

    Center for Popular Democracy

    Support for assistance to grantees on fundraising strategies.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Bronx, NY // 2019

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support for the Carolina Youth Action Project's campaign to remove school resource officers from school campuses.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2018

    Columbia University

    Support for The Justice Lab to coordinate Youth Correctional Administrators for Justice.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice