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.

  • Oakland, CA // 2020

    W. Haywood Burns Institute

    Support to engage practitioners, providers, and community groups to reduce racial disparities in juvenile justice systems.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2020

    Promise of Justice Initiative

    Support for advocacy and implementation of unanimous juries in Louisiana.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Calabasas, CA // 2020

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support for RISE for Youth to transform juvenile justice in Virginia.    
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    New Venture Fund

    Support to Communities for Just Schools Fund to advance community organizing efforts in reducing the criminalization of youth of color and LGBTQ youth in schools.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2019

    Race Forward

    Support for Race Forward’s Mass Freedom: Confronting Mass Criminalization project.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • New Orleans, LA // 2019

    Promise of Justice Initiative

    Support for the Participatory Defense Movement-NOLA.
    Awarded
    $85,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2019

    ColorOfChange.Org Education Fund

    General support.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Calabasas, CA // 2019

    Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs

    Support to Performing Statistics for youth led advocacy to end youth incarceration through arts based programming and exhibits.  
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania // 2019

    Media Mobilizing Project

    Support for the Youth Art and Self-Empowerment Project and a pilot technical assistance model in Philadelphia.
    Awarded
    $70,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Atlanta, GA // 2019

    Alternate Roots Inc.

    Support for SpiritHouse, an organization that uses culture, art and media to support the empowerment and transformation of communities most impacted by poverty, racism, gender inequity, criminalization and mass incarceration in North Carolina.
    Awarded
    $45,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice