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 // 2017

    National Employment Law Project

    Support for a coordinated national campaign to reduce unnecessary structural barriers to employment for people with criminal records. 
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc.

    Support to advance sentencing reform in Mississippi.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Justice Policy Institute

    Support to convene strategic thought-leaders in the criminal justice reform field to explore new challenges faced by advocacy groups across the political spectrum working on justice reform issues.
    Awarded
    $103,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    LatinoJustice PRLDEF

    Support to engage Latinos in criminal justice reform efforts. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Medford, MA // 2017

    Law Enforcement Action Partnership

    General support. 
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Denver, CO // 2017

    JFA Institute

    Support to provide technical assistance and research to support state criminal justice reform campaigns, in partnership with the Alliance for Safety and Justice. 
    Awarded
    $70,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Philadelphia, PA // 2017

    American Friends Service Committee

    Support for a statewide sentencing reform campaign in Arizona. 
    Awarded
    $120,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    Tides Center

    Support for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a multi-state advocacy campaign seeking to significantly reduce the US prison population in target states, reduce racial disparities in system-involved populations, and build momentum for reform nationally. 
    Awarded
    $750,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2017

    Vera Institute of Justice

    Support to Common Justice to help develop community-based reinvestment strategies nationally.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Easthampton, MA // 2017

    Prison Policy Initiative

    Support to conduct strategic data analysis and produce advocacy tools to advance the national criminal justice reform movement. 
    Awarded
    $120,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice