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.

  • Philadelphia, PA // 2014

    Juvenile Law Center

    Support for dissemination and education activities related to the documentary film "Kids for Cash."
    Awarded
    $10,000
    Term
    6 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • San Francisco, CA // 2014

    Legal Services for Children

    Support to work, along with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, to promote the fair and equitable treatment of non-citizen youth by juvenile justice systems.
    Awarded
    $320,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Newark, NJ // 2014

    New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

    Support to advocate for reduced reliance on youth incarceration and transfer to the adult system in New Jersey.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Appleseed

    Support to engage in policy advocacy at the state and local levels and to conduct litigation to challenge the use of juvenile and municipal courts in Texas to handle minor student misbehaviors at school.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Austin, TX // 2014

    Texas Criminal Justice Coalition

    General support.
    Awarded
    $250,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Los Angeles, CA // 2014

    UCLA School of Law

    Support for UCLA School of Law's Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy for its Jail Removal Project to provide jurisdictions with guidance on how to end the practice of detaining youth in adult jails.
    Awarded
    $150,000
    Term
    18 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2014

    Vera Institute of Justice

    Support to help Governor Cuomo's Commission on Youth, Public Safety, and Justice develop a plan for raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction in New York.
    Awarded
    $75,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2014

    W. Haywood Burns Institute

    General support.
    Awarded
    $500,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • Oakland, CA // 2014

    Youth Radio

    Support for the Youth Justice Desk, which produces media stories on juvenile justice from the perspective of youth, including incarcerated youth.
    Awarded
    $200,000
    Term
    24 months
    Program
    Youth Justice
  • New York, NY // 2014

    Human Rights Watch

    Support for research on youth tried as adults and work to advance juvenile justice reform in California
    Awarded
    $100,000
    Term
    12 months
    Program
    Youth Justice