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

    District of Columbia Grassroots Empowerment Project

    General support.
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Arlington, VA // 2019

    WETA

    Support for WETA's PBS NewsHour to support a five part criminal justice-focused broadcast.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Salinas, CA // 2019

    Action Council of Monterey County

    Support for MILPA (Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement).
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Rockville, MD // 2019

    Pretrial Justice Institute

    Support for the Pretrial Innovators Convention.
    Awarded
    $10,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2019

    New Venture Fund

    Support for Voices for Civil Justice to generate media coverage of civil legal aid, and increase the visibility and communications capacity of the sector.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunity
  • Austin, TX // 2018

    Grassroots Leadership

    Support to end for-profit incarceration and reduce reliance on criminalization and detention through organizing, research, advocacy, and public education.
    Awarded
    $147,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • New Haven, CT // 2018

    Artspace New Haven

    Support for May Day 20/20: Learning from the Black Panther Trials 50 Years Later.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Philadelphia, PA // 2018

    Juntos

    General support.
    Awarded
    $32,617
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Phoenix, AZ // 2018

    Puente Human Rights Movement

    Support to develop, educate, and empower migrant communities and change the conditions that lead to immigrant incarceration and deportation.
    Awarded
    $160,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • San Francisco, CA // 2018

    Immigrant Legal Resource Center

    Support to address the criminalization of immigrant youth of color.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities