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.

  • Knoxville, TN // 2026

    Community Defense of East Tennessee

    Support for CDET to continue addressing the expansion of incarceration and anti-Black policies and actions, and defending against ongoing attacks on community-led safety efforts.
    Awarded
    $175,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2026

    Youth Law Center

    Support to strengthen youth justice coalition building in Tennessee focused on stopping the expansion of youth prisons and building the case for concrete and actionable alternatives to incarceration.
    Awarded
    $800,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2026

    Free Hearts

    Support for Free Hearts’ work to advance alternatives to incarceration, develop impacted leaders, and strengthen justice coalitions in Tennessee.
    Awarded
    $1,050,000
    Term
    36 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2025

    Unheard Voices Outreach

    General support for UVO to empower justice-impacted individuals by providing support, advocacy, education, and community organizing to drive systemic change and promote equity.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2025

    Think Tennessee

    Support to Think Tennessee to deepen its research on the impact of pretrial bail, court fines and fees, expanding local crime data research, and geographic disparities in court dispositions.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2025

    Nashville Public Radio

    Support for WPLN Criminal Justice Reporting.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
  • Nashville, TN // 2025

    Raphah Institute

    Support to expand restorative justice as an alternative in the adult legal system.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Memphis, TN // 2025

    JustCity, Inc.

    Support for reducing incarceration in Memphis.
    Awarded
    $500,304
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Nashville, TN // 2025

    Choosing Justice Initiative

    Support to continue work on judicial transparency and accountability in Tennessee.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Memphis, TN // 2025

    Institute for Public Service Reporting

    Support for criminal justice data reporting.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Narrative Change
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