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.

  • Charlottesville, VA // 2016

    Legal Aid Justice Center

    Support to close two juvenile correctional centers and reinvest the savings into community based services.
    Awarded
    $400,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Durham, NC // 2016

    Southern Coalition for Social Justice

    Support for the Youth Justice Project.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2016

    Youth Law Center

    Support for the Healing Dialogue and Action project.
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Bronx, NY // 2015

    Community Connections for Youth

    Support to provide technical assistance on building community capacity to provide alternatives to youth incarceration and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice systems.
    Awarded
    $325,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    New Venture Fund

    Support to Youth First!, a national initiative to end youth incarceration and redirect resources to community programs.
    Awarded
    $895,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Georgetown University

    Support to the Center for Youth Justice Reform to convene the Youth Justice Leadership Network.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2015

    Human Rights Watch

    Support for research and advocacy to reduce the number of youth tried as adults in California.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    Justice Policy Institute

    Support to provide state decarceration campaigns with technical assistance on developing policy reports.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New Orleans, LA // 2015

    Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

    Support for an advocacy campaign to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in Louisiana and to remove youth from adult jail in New Orleans.
    Awarded
    $170,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Washington, DC // 2015

    National Youth Justice Network

    To support an independent evaluation of its Youth Justice Leadership Institute.
    Awarded
    $45,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice