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.

  • Bronx, NY // 2018

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support for the national convening on Credible Messenger Mentoring.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • New York, NY // 2018

    Echoing Green

    Direct costs of two Fellows in the 2018 class who are focused on improving outcomes in criminal justice and/or racial equity related issue areas.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Goldsboro, NC // 2018

    Repairers of the Breach

    Forward Justice to advance community-based justice reinvestment strategies, in partnership with system-impacted leaders in North Carolina. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Berkeley, CA // 2018

    East Bay Community Law Center

    Support for thought leadership and advocacy to reform the use of electronic monitoring in juvenile court at the local, state, and national levels. 
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    Innovation Network, Inc.

    Support to conduct an independent evaluation of the Youth First Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $285,000
    Term
    36 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2017

    New America Foundation

    Support to assist in the research and design of an online best practices and national peer networking tool to aid the Self-Represented Litigation Network and the civil justice reform community. 
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Durham, NC // 2017

    MDC, Inc.

    General support to assist with MDC Inc.'s 50th Anniversary Capacity Building Initiative. 
    Awarded
    $25,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • San Francisco, CA // 2017

    Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

    Support to the Executives' Alliance for Boys and Men of Color. 
    Awarded
    $60,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Austin, TX // 2017

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    Support for organizational and leadership organizational capacity-building. 
    Awarded
    $40,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Lansing, MI // 2017

    Citizens Alliance on Prisons and Public Spending

    Support for organizational and leadership organizational capacity-building. 
    Awarded
    $40,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities