How to apply
Applicants should complete an online letter of inquiry in which the applicant provides a basic introduction to its project and organization and provides the purpose of its grant request. All applicants must complete an online letter of inquiry which are accepted on a rolling basis. If after reviewing the online letter of inquiry, the foundation determines that the project fits its funding goals, an invitation to submit a full proposal is sent via email. If an applicant receives an email requesting the submission of a full proposal, the applicant should follow the instructions at the foundatio… Contact: Grants Management, 1200 U Street Nw, Washington, DC, 2029651800 Deadlines: Letters of inquiry are examined on a rolling basis. Restrictions: The public welfare foundation supports efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need. We look for carefully defined points where our funds can make a difference in bringing about systemic changes that can improve lives. We focus in two program areas: Criminal justice and youth justice.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
Top 60 of 164 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV. Part XV itemizes $26M; Part I reports $31M in contributions paid
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Southeast MichiganDetroit, MI | Support for michigan justice fund, phase ii | $500K |
| Foundation for LouisianaNew Orleans, LA | Support for louisiana justice fund | $500K |
| Minneapolis FoundationMinneapolis, MN | Support for sector support fund | $500K |
| Social & Environmental EntrepreneursCalabasas, CA | Support for women on the rise ga | $500K |
| The Just Trust for EducationTulsa, OK | Support for oklahoma justice funders collaborative fund | $500K |
| Amalgamated Charitable FoundationWashington, DC | Support for courage project | $500K |
| Ors ImpactSeattle, WA | Support for evaluation and learning partnership | $490K |
| National Institute for Criminal Justice ReformOakland, CA | Support for violence reduction research and practice network | $472K |
| Possibility LabsSan Francisco, CA | Support for pwf convening led by catalyze justice | $440K |
| Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ | Support for violence reduction research and practice network | $409K |
| Deep CenterSavannah, GA | Support for - building community power in chatham county, ga | $400K |
| Michigan Liberation Education FundDetroit, MI | Support for michigan liberation education fund | $400K |
| Nation OutsideDetroit, MI | General support | $400K |
| Stand for Children Leadership CenterPortland, OR | Support for justice and community safety in memphis | $400K |
| Vera Institute of Justice IncBrooklyn, NY | Support for safety and justice narrative change | $400K |
| The Praxis ProjectOakland, CA | Support for building mass freedom: a roadmap to decarceration, healing, and power | $350K |
| Colorado Criminal Justice Reform CoalitionDenver, CO | Support for transforming justice in colorado | $300K |
| Community InitiativesSan Francisco, CA | General support | $300K |
| DC Justice LabWashington, DC | Support for dc justice lab | $300K |
| Latino Coalition for Community LeadershipColorado Springs, CO | Support for transforming justice initiative | $300K |
| Muckrock FoundationBoston, MA | Support for public safety reporting and community engagement to mlk50: justice through journalism | $300K |
| Operation RestorationNew Orleans, LA | Support for continuing to meet the needs of our community | $300K |
| Southern Center for Human RightsAtlanta, GA | Support for campaign to transform georgia's criminal legal system | $300K |
| The National Reentry Network for Returning CitizensWashington, DC | Support for new strategies/systems change work | $300K |
| Tulsa Community FoundationTulsa, OK | General support | $300K |
| Voice of the ExperiencedNew Orleans, LA | General support | $300K |
| Voices for a Second ChanceWashington, DC | Support for pathways forward: the second chance reclamation initiative | $300K |
| JustcityMemphis, TN | General support | $250K |
| Essie Justice GroupOakland, CA | Support for altadena community care & advocacy | $250K |
| Highlander Research and Education Center IncNew Market, TN | Support for towards a people's justice | $250K |
| Louisiana Center for Children's RightsNew Orleans, LA | General support | $250K |
| Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and JusticeTulsa, OK | Support for ok appleseed multi-year gen ops support | $250K |
| Promise of Justice InitiativeNew Orleans, LA | Support for ending plantation prisons & building community power in louisiana | $250K |
| The Marshall ProjectNew York, NY | Support for the marshall project | $250K |
| Urban Association of Forestry and Fire Professionals IncAzusa, CA | General support | $250K |
| Possibility LabsSan Francisco, CA | Support for catalyze justice: supporting partners nationwide in youth justice transformation | $225K |
| Youth Law CenterSan Francisco, CA | Support for tennessee youth justice reform advocacy | $225K |
| Greater Milwaukee Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI | Support for zero youth corrections milwaukee | $210K |
| Atlantafulton County Prearrest Diversion Initiative IncAtlanta, GA | General support | $200K |
| Black Swan Academy IncWashington, DC | Support for 10 yrs of pride purpose power | $200K |
| Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of YouthWashington, DC | Support for justice reform | $200K |
| Capital B News IncNew York, NY | Support for atlanta criminal justice reporting and community engagement | $200K |
| Detroit Justice CenterDetroit, MI | General support | $200K |
| Faithfully Organizing Resources for Community Empowerment DetroitDetroit, MI | Support for from crisis response to lasting change: strengthening detroit's cvi ecosystem | $200K |
| Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated ChildrenNew Orleans, LA | General support | $200K |
| FIRST 72New Orleans, LA | Support for the first 72 just reentry policy program | $200K |
| Free Minds Book Club and Writing WorkshopWashington, DC | General support | $200K |
| Freedom Institute IncGrand Junction, CO | Support for transforming justice initiative | $200K |
| Fund for the City of New YorkNew York, NY | Support for translation project | $200K |
| Hadanou CollectiveDenver, CO | Support for eradicating excessive sentencing practices and expanding pathways out of prison in colorado | $200K |
| Hive MentalityRichmond, VA | Support for an alternative to youth incarceration | $200K |
| Louisiana Parole ProjectBaton Rouge, LA | Support for impacting freedom: pathways to release and reentry success | $200K |
| National Public RadioWashington, DC | Support for support for npr's coverage of criminal justice | $200K |
| Prison Journalism ProjectChicago, IL | Support for training and empowering prison journalists for narrative change | $200K |
| Safe & Just MichiganLansing, MI | General support | $200K |
| School Justice ProjectWashington, DC | Support for special education legal services & advocacy for court-involved students with disabilities | $200K |
| Second Chance Center IncAurora, CO | Support for second chance center's fair chance for housing, hiring and re-entry income | $200K |
| Southern Movement CommitteeNashville, TN | Support for youth-led organizing for community-based safety and justice | $200K |
| Still She Rises IncTulsa, OK | Support for still she rises impact litigation | $200K |
| The LensNew Orleans, LA | Support for the lens: louisiana criminal justice reporting | $200K |
By state: California 17 · District of Columbia 25 · Louisiana 9 · Michigan 10 · Oklahoma 13 · Colorado 11
Giving by year
Contributions, gifts, and grants paid, from Form 990-PF via ProPublica.
About this foundation
Public Welfare Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Washington, District of Columbia, tax-exempt since 1966. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Foundation websiteLatest 990-PF (PDF)All filings on ProPublica
Does Public Welfare Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Applicants should complete an online letter of inquiry in which the applicant provides a basic introduction to its project and organization and provides the purpose of its grant request. Deadlines: Letters of inquiry are examined on a rolling basis..
How much does Public Welfare Foundation Inc give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $26M across 164 grants, a median of $139K.
Where does Public Welfare Foundation Inc give?
California (17 grants), District of Columbia (25 grants), Louisiana (9 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
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