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.

  • Austin, TX // 2016

    Texas Appleseed

    Support to ensure Texas' school-based law enforcement and juvenile justice policies are safe and unbiased.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2016

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2015

    Texans Care for Children

    Support for advocacy to reduce youth incarceration and raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in Texas.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2015

    Texas Public Policy Foundation

    Support for TPPF's Foundation Center for Effective Justice to continue criminal justice reform efforts in Texas and generate national support for criminal justice.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2013

    Texas Public Policy Foundation

    Support to continue criminal justice reform efforts in Texas and generate national support for criminal justice reform among conservative audiences through the Right on Crime initiative.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Workers Defense Project

    General support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Workers' Rights
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    General support.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Appleseed

    Support to engage in policy advocacy at the state and local levels and to conduct litigation to challenge the use of juvenile and municipal courts in Texas to handle minor student misbehaviors at school.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    General support.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Jail Project of Texas

    Support to undertake community and public education to advance pretrial detention reform.
    Awarded
    $105,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice