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 // 2015

    National Employment Law Project

    Support for a coordinated national campaign with Community Legal Services, a sub-grantee, to reduce unnecessary structural barriers to employment for people with criminal records.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    New Venture Fund

    Support for Alliance for Safety and Justice, a multi-state advocacy campaign seeking to significantly reduce the U.S. prison population in target states, and build momentum to reform nationally.
    Awarded
    $750,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Landsowne, VA // 2015

    Prison Fellowship Ministries

    Support to mobilize grassroots prison ministry volunteers for advocacy in states targeted by the Americans for Safety and Justice sentencing reform campaign.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • New York, NY // 2015

    Vera Institute for Justice

    Support to Common Justice, a project that promotes a significant increase in federal victims' assistance funds to advance racial equality in the justice system.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2014

    ColorofChange.org Education Fund

    Support to utilize cutting-edge technological innovations in online organizing to engage more people of color in criminal justice reform advocacy.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2014

    Families Against Mandatory Minimums

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Boston, MA // 2014

    Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth

    Support for the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Chicago, IL // 2014

    Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC)

    Support to provide technical assistance to three counties to divert pretrial defendants from jail to Medicaid-funded community-based behavioral health treatment.
    Awarded
    $350,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    American University – Washington College of Law

    Support to the Pretrial Racial Justice Initiative.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    9 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Equal Justice Under Law

    General Support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Criminal Justice