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 // 2020

    Jobs with Justice Education Fund

    Support for a National Essential Worker’s Strategy in response to COVID-19 and racial justice uprisings.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • New York, NY // 2020

    Echoing Green

    Support for Unchained Stories to create Transforming Justice, a series of short films centering leaders who are developing solutions in their own communities to address mass incarceration.
    Awarded
    $230,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Madison, WI // 2020

    University of Wisconsin Foundation

    Support to the UW Justice Lab for a data landscape analysis on Milwaukee’s adult and youth justice systems and public safety efforts.
    Awarded
    $71,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Ocean Springs, MS // 2020

    Mississippi Rising Coalition

    Support for Mississippi Prison Reform Coalition to end mass incarceration and lead efforts to build a more just and humane system in Mississippi.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Louisville, KY // 2020

    Community Foundation of Louisville, Inc.

    Support for local, community rooted organizations in Louisville responding to racial injustice, protecting peaceful protests, COVID-19 response efforts, and to establish a scholarship fund to honor the lives of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2020

    National Public Radio

    Support for coverage on criminal justice reform issues.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • St. Paul, MN // 2020

    TakeAction Minnesota Education Fund

    Support for Black Vision Collective to organize the Black Minneapolis community and dismantle systems of violence.
    Awarded
    $300,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2020

    Free Minds Book Club

    Support for the Book Club & Writing Workshops, and Emerging Leaders: On the Same Page, an initiative providing restorative, community-focused efforts to formerly incarcerated young adults in DC.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Brooklyn, NY // 2020

    Common Justice

    General support.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities
  • Washington, DC // 2020

    Voices for a Second Chance

    Support for COVID-19 response efforts.
    Awarded
    $50,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Special Opportunities