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.

  • Washington, DC // 2019

    New Venture Fund

    Support for the Self-Represented Litigation Network.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    East Bay Community Foundation

    Support for engagement with fellow community foundations to support civil legal aid nationally. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Service Year Alliance

    Support for the Service Year Legal Corps Review project. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Cambridge, MA // 2017

    Harvard Law School

    Support for a post-graduate fellowship program focused on improving access to civil justice through technical innovation.
    Awarded
    $80,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Baltimore, MD // 2017

    University of Baltimore Foundation

    Support for the Maryland Access to Justice Commission. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Oakland, CA // 2017

    Bay Area Legal Aid

    Support for the first phase development of a new digital intake system to support efficiency and innovation among legal providers in improving access to justice for low-income residents in Northern California. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • New York, NY // 2017

    Pro Bono Net

    Support for outreach and engagement of community and nontraditional justice partners to help increase the availability of immi, a highly scalable digital solution for legal screening, rights education, and legal referrals for low-income immigrants seeking relief. 
    Awarded
    $65,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Institute for Technology Law and Policy at Georgetown University for research and mapping of access to justice tools that are being used around the country to improve self-represented litigants' access to the courts. 
    Awarded
    $125,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • Williamsburg, VA // 2017

    National Center for State Courts

    Support to supplement and extend the time for its project to catalyze and help courts, Access to Justice Commissions, and legal aid/bar leaders work together in partnership in targeted states to implement the goal of 100% access as called for by the chief judicial officers of the state courts. 
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    21 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid
  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    State Bar of California

    Support for a project to simplify the process for restoring civil rights and benefits that are lost as a result of criminal arrest or conviction which can serve as a model for other legal areas to improve access to justice. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Initiative: Civil Legal Aid