FundersDistrict of Columbia

Public Welfare Foundation Inc

Washington, DC · EIN 54-0597601. Reported 686 grants totalling $92.6M to 381 organizations across tax years 2020-2023. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$100,000median grant
$92.6Mgranted, 2020-2023
381organizations funded
47%of grantees funded again the next year
$601.1Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Public Welfare Foundation Inc did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $100,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $20,000 and $200,000; the smallest was $100 and the largest $1,366,775. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
35 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
38 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
27 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
80 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
47 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
65 grants
$100,000 and Up
394 grants

Every organization it funded

All 381 recipients appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which this organization received money -- the clearest signal of who this foundation actually has a relationship with.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Highlander Research and Education Center IncNew Market, TN$2,451,025642023
Social & Environmental EntrepreneursCalabasas, CA$2,323,544442023
Ors ImpactSeattle, WA$2,253,000542023
Community Foundation for Southeast MichiganDetroit, MI$2,001,000442023
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform CoalitionDenver, CO$1,750,000442023
Operation RestorationNew Orleans, LA$1,740,825542023
Tulsa Community FoundationTulsa, OK$1,531,515442023
Voice of the ExperiencedNew Orleans, LA$1,531,250542023
Vera Institute of Justice IncBrooklyn, NY$1,500,000642023
Michigan Center for Youth JusticeAnn Arbor, MI$1,364,000542023
National Institute for Criminal Justice ReformOakland, CA$1,359,750442023
Promise of Justice InitiativeNew Orleans, LA$1,308,000742023
Safe & Just MichiganLansing, MI$1,304,750542023
Voices for a Second ChanceWashington, DC$1,253,000442023
National Public RadioWashington, DC$1,150,000542023
New Venture FundWashington, DC$1,020,000222021
New Jersey Institute for Social JusticeNewark, NJ$950,000222021
Louisiana Center for Children's RightsNew Orleans, LA$910,000642023
Foundation for LouisianaNew Orleans, LA$901,130442023
Southern Center for Human RightsAtlanta, GA$809,750222023
Latino Coalition for Community LeadershipColorado Springs, CO$807,000332023
DC Justice LabWashington, DC$803,750442023
Hmong American Womens AssociationMilwaukee, WI$751,605222021
Echoing GreenNew York, NY$730,000222022
Oklahoma Policy InstituteTulsa, OK$726,750442023
Detroit Justice CenterDetroit, MI$706,500442023
School Justice ProjectWashington, DC$701,500332023
The Marshall ProjectNew York, NY$700,000332023
Ubuntu Village NolaNew Orleans, LA$676,500322023
Free Minds Book Club and Writing WorkshopWashington, DC$653,500332023
Voces Unidas for JusticeColorado Springs, CO$650,000442023
Deep CenterSavannah, GA$629,250442023
Juvenile Law CenterPhiladelphia, PA$615,000222022
Second Chance Center IncAurora, CO$611,500222023
Greater Washington Community FoundationWashington, DC$605,560322023
One VoiceJackson, MS$605,000542023
Black Swan Academy IncWashington, DC$603,000442023
Community Connections for YouthBronx, NY$603,000332022
Freedom Institute IncGrand Junction, CO$600,000332023
Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated ChildrenNew Orleans, LA$577,500432023
Columbia UniversityNew York, NY$575,000332022
The Praxis ProjectOakland, CA$575,000332023
Tides FoundationSan Francisco, CA$550,000432023
Possibility LabsSan Francisco, CA$525,000222023
Capital B News IncNy, NY$518,000332023
Council for Court ExcellenceWashington, DC$506,750332023
El Movimiento Sigue IncPueblo, CO$500,000332023
Equal Justice InitiativeMontgomery, AL$500,000112021
Faithfully Organizing Resources for Community Empowerment DetroitDetroit, MI$500,000332023
Mothering JusticeDetroit, MI$500,000332023
Public Broadcasting of Colorado IncCentennial, CO$500,000332023
The Just Trust for EducationTulsa, OK$500,000112023
Tides CenterLos Angeles, CA$491,635442023
Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing (expo)Madison, WI$477,750332023
National Center for Youth LawOakland, CA$462,600332023
Oklahomans for Criminal Justice ReformOklahoma City, OK$451,500332023
Atlantafulton County Prearrest Diversion Initiative IncAtlanta, GA$450,000332023
Freedom ReadsHamden, CT$450,000222023
Justcity IncMemphis, TN$450,000222023
Latino Coalition for Community LeadershipSanta Barbara, CA$450,000112020
The Education TrustWashington, DC$432,500332022
First 72New Orleans, LA$425,000322023
Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of YouthWashington, DC$417,500332022
Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ$409,323112023
Greater Milwaukee Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI$404,080222021
Prison Policy InitiativeEasthampton, MA$403,000332022
Justice Policy InstituteWashington, DC$402,250332023
The National Reentry Network for Returning CitizensWashington, DC$401,750332022
Allied Media ProjectsDetroit, MI$400,200112022
Accelerate Change IncBoston, MA$400,000112022
Associated PressNew York, NY$400,000222023
Colorado Circles for ChangeDenver, CO$400,000332023
Georgia Justice ProjectAtlanta, GA$400,000332023
Regents of the University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI$400,000222021
The Sixth Amendment Center IncorporatedBoston, MA$400,000222022
Youth Law CenterSan Francisco, CA$400,000222023
The Community LtdMilwaukee, WI$381,000422023
Milwaukee Turners IncMilwaukee, WI$373,000222023
Rich Family MinistriesNew Orleans, LA$371,500542023
Futuro MediaNew York, NY$362,500332023
Mississippi Center for JusticeJackson, MS$359,000222023
W Haywood Burns InstituteOakland, CA$355,500222021
American Friends Service CommitteePhiladelphia, PA$350,000222023
American UniversityWashington, DC$350,000442023
Education and Employment Ministry IncOklahoma City, OK$350,000222023
Third Space FoundationOklahoma City, OK$340,000322023
New Life Fellowship Ministries IncColumbia, MS$327,200332022
Open Buffalo IncBuffalo, NY$318,167112021
Youth RadioOakland, CA$315,000112021
Common JusticeBrooklyn, NY$307,750332023
The LensNew Orleans, LA$307,000542023
Mississippi TodayRidgeland, MS$306,500332023
Oklahoma Watch IncOklahoma City, OK$302,500442023
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa-USANew York, NY$300,300312023
Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates NetworkDurham, NC$300,000112022
Milwaukee County Health and Human Services DepartmentWauwatosa, WI$300,000112020
Milwaukee Freedom Fund IncorporatedMilwaukee, WI$300,000222023
National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and GirlsRoxbury, MA$300,000222023
Neighborhood Defender ServiceNew York, NY$300,000112023
New Profit IncBoston, MA$300,000112022
Partners for JusticeBrooklyn, NY$300,000112020
Proteus FundAmherst, MA$300,000222023
Regents of the University of Michigan Office of Research and Sponsored ProjAnn Arbor, MI$300,000212023
SisterreachMemphis, TN$300,000112022
Still She Rises IncTulsa, OK$300,000222023
University of Georgia FoundationAthens, GA$300,000222022
Urban Association of Forestry and Fire Professionals IncAzusa, CA$300,000222021
Women With a VisionNew Orleans, LA$300,000112022
Western Michigan University FoundationKalamazoo, MI$299,327222021
RedlineDenver, CO$282,800222023
Southern Movement CommitteeNashville, TN$282,000222023
Alliance for Global JusticeTucson, AZ$280,000332023
Jfa InstituteDenver, CO$275,000332023
Seasoned With Grace UnboxedDenver, CO$275,000222022
Wisconsin Policy Forum IncMilwaukee, WI$270,519212023
Oped ProjectNew York, NY$255,000222023
The Sentencing ProjectWashington, DC$255,000222022
Girls for a ChangeNorth Chesterfield, VA$250,404112021
Barred Business FoundationEllenwood, GA$250,000222023
Forward Impact (represent Justice)Los Angeles, CA$250,000112022
Hispanics in PhilanthropyOakland, CA$250,000112020
Jobs With Justice Education FundWashington, DC$250,000112020
National Domestic Workers AllianceNew York, NY$250,000112020
New Voices Pittsburgh IncPittsburgh, PA$250,000112022
Yellowhammer FundTuscaloosa, AL$250,000112022
Hit Strategies LLCWashington, DC$244,500112022
Players Philanthropy FundTowson, MD$243,000112022
The Lighthouse Black Girl ProjectsJackson, MS$226,056222022
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA$225,000222023
Center for Employment Opportunities IncNew York, NY$225,000212023
Justice and Accountability Center of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA$225,000322023
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges IncMilwaukee, WI$225,000222023
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI$217,773112021
Freedom IncMadison, WI$205,500222021
Common Counsel FoundationOakland, CA$202,888222021
New Breath FoundationOakland, CA$201,500222021
Youth Services of Oklahoma IncOklahoma City, OK$201,500222021
Power Shift NetworkWashington, DC$200,500112020
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AtlantaNorcross, GA$200,000112020
Credible Messenger Mentoring MovementWashington, DC$200,000112020
Denver Youth Program Dba Metro Denver PartnersDenver, CO$200,000222023
Forward JusticeDurham, NC$200,000112020
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC$200,000112020
Hive MentalityRichmond, VA$200,000222023
Housing Solutions IncorporatedHonolulu, HI$200,000112022
Koahnic Broadcast CorporationAnchorage, AK$200,000222023
Latinojustice PrldefNew York, NY$200,000112020
Louisiana Parole ProjectBaton Rouge, LA$200,000112023
Martin Luther King SR Community Resources CollaborativeAtlanta, GA$200,000222022
Mississippi Families As Allies IncJackson, MS$200,000112023
Momsrising Education FundBellevue, WA$200,000112020
National Crittenton FoundationPortland, OR$200,000112021
United States Fund for UnicefNew York, NY$200,000112021
Voices for Georgia's ChildrenAtlanta, GA$200,000112022
Anthony Graves Foundation IncHouston, TX$182,390112022
Community PartnersLos Angeles, CA$175,000112021
Racial Justice NowSilverspring, MD$175,000222023
Stand for Children Leadership CenterPortland, OR$175,000112023
Uwm Foundation IncMilwaukee, WI$173,863222022
Livefree Oklahoma IncorporatedOklahoma City, OK$170,000112023
Met Cares Foundation IncTulsa, OK$165,750222021
Free Movement IncMilwaukee, WI$160,000112023
Philanthropic Ventures FoundationOakland, CA$150,765222023
Build Up IncNewtown, CT$150,000112020
Choose 180Burien, WA$150,000112020
Creative Reaction LabSt Louis, MO$150,000112020
Delta ProjectGrand Rapids, MI$150,000222023
Domestic Violence Intervention Services IncTulsa, OK$150,000222023
Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA$150,000112022
Empowerment Avenue IncOakland, CA$150,000112023
Kids ForwardMadison, WI$150,000112023
Provide IncRound Rock, TX$150,000112022
Resilience Partners NfpChicago, IL$150,000112020
Return to HopeTulsa, OK$150,000112023
Soul Sisters Leadership Collective IncMiami, FL$150,000112020
Trace Media IncBrooklyn, NY$150,000112022
United Way of Greater AtlantaAtlanta, GA$150,000112023
Wisconsin Examiner Dba States NewsroomMadison, WI$150,000112023
Justice Innovation Inc (dba Center for Justice Innovation)New York, NY$140,000112022
Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and JusticeTulsa, OK$140,000112023
Appeal IncLanders, CA$125,000112021
Baltimore BannerBaltimore, MD$125,000112023
Four Winds American Indian CouncilDenver, CO$125,000112022
Justice for Greenwood FoundationTulsa, OK$125,000112022
Maryland Center on Economic PolicyBaltimore, MD$125,000112023
Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (aka Tadp)Nashville, TN$125,000112023
The Groundtruth Project IncBoston, MA$125,000112022
Denver Justice ProjectAurora, CO$120,000112023
Jazzmobile IncNew York, NY$115,000542023
Grantmakers for Effective OrganizationsWashington, DC$114,780222023
Community Science IncBethesda, MD$113,716112023
Haitian Bridge AllianceAlisa Viejo, CA$110,000222022
Wisconsin Alliance for Women's HealthMadison, WI$104,750222021
Equality Foundation of Georgia IncAtlanta, GA$100,200112022
Black Women's BlueprintBrooklyn, NY$100,100112021
Bent Not BrokenKalamazoo, MI$100,000112023
Choosing Justice InitiativeNashville, TN$100,000112023
Collaborative Healing Initiative Within Communities IncAurora, CO$100,000112022
Community SharesKnoxville, TN$100,000112023
Denver Community Development CorporationCentennial, CO$100,000112023
Drug Policy AllianceNew York, NY$100,000112021
Essie Justice GroupOakland, CA$100,000112023
Free Minds Book ClubWashington, DC$100,000112020
Gryphon PlaceKalamazoo, MI$100,000112023
Institute for Public Service ReportingMemphis, TN$100,000112023
JulianWashington, DC$100,000112022
Jail Project of TexasCypress, TX$100,000112020
Justice for Families LtdSulphur, LA$100,000112020
Lost Lights Projects Inc (dba Inside Climate News)Brooklyn, NY$100,000112021
Made InstituteFlint, MI$100,000112023
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA$100,000222023
Mississippi News and Information CorpRidgeland, MS$100,000112020
Muckrock FoundationBoston, MA$100,000112023
National Black Theatre IncNew York City, NY$100,000112023
National Black Women's Justice InstituteBrooklyn, NY$100,000112023
National Juvenile Justice NetworkWashington, DC$100,000112020
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights CoalitionNashville, TN$100,000112023
The Gault CenterWashington, DC$100,000112021
Think TennesseeNashville, TN$100,000112023
Tides CenterDenver, CO$100,000112023
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar CountySan Antonio, TX$100,000112021
University of Colorado Foundation for the Benefit of the University of ColoDenver, CO$100,000112023
Conscious Capitalist FoundationCharlottesville, VA$80,000112020
Emancipate NcDurham, NC$80,000112021
Sing for ChangeFairfax Station, VA$80,000222022
The Bail ProjectMarina Del Rey, CA$80,000442023
Thrive DCWashington, DC$75,308222021
Fractured Atlas IncNew York, NY$75,000112022
Keystone Restituere Justice Center IncHarrisburg, PA$75,000112022
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI$75,000112020
Nebraska AppleseedLincoln, NE$75,000112022
Open Collective FoundationWalnut, CA$75,000112021
RisePiedmont, OK$75,000112021
Restore Justice FoundationChicago, IL$75,000112021
Second Chances Staffing ServicesMilwaukee, WI$75,000112022
University of Wisconsin FoundationMadison, WI$71,000112020
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-NoNew Orleans, LA$68,944112022
Fundacion Elena Barraquer IncMiami, FL$60,000112023
National Committee for Responsive PhilanthropyWashington, DC$56,246222021
Jack and Jill of America Foundation IncWashington, DC$55,000222023
Cabrini Green Legal Aid ClinicChicago, IL$54,000222023
Empower Mississippi FoundationRidgeland, MS$52,000222021
Socialworx Institute IncBaton Rouge, LA$51,500222021
Kids Rethink New Orleans SchoolsNew Orleans, LA$51,000222021
Justice Arts Coalition IncTakoma Park, MD$50,818512023
Reentry Mediation Institute of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA$50,800112021
P4H GlobalCoral Springs, FL$50,300412023
Breakfree EducationColumbia, MD$50,000112021
Fusion Partnerships IncBaltimore, MD$50,000112022
Global ImpactAlexandria, VA$50,000112023

159 of 381 (42%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 47%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 543 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Crime & Legal
116 grants
Human Services
77 grants
Education
64 grants
Arts & Culture
50 grants
Civil Rights
47 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
41 grants
Youth Development
29 grants
Community Improvement
22 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2020159$20.7M$100,000
2021158$21.7M$62,331
2022159$24.7M$150,000
2023210$25.5M$100,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Public Welfare Foundation Inc has 57 of them, worth $11.5M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.

OrganizationLocationApproved
Community Foundation for Southeast MichiganDetroit, MI$500,000
Foundation for LouisianaNew Orleans, LA$500,000
The Just Trust for EducationDurham, NC$500,000
Community Foundation for Southeast MichiganDetroit, MI$500,000
Voice of the ExperiencedNew Orleans, LA$350,000
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform CoalitionDenver, CO$300,000
DC Justice LabWashington, DC$300,000
Voice of the ExperiencedNew Orleans, LA$300,000
Operation RestorationNew Orleans, LA$300,000
Southern Center for Human RightsAtlanta, GA$300,000
Latino Coalition for Community LeadershipColorado Springs, CO$275,000
Tulsa Community FoundationTulsa, OK$250,000
Highlander Research and Education Center IncNew Market, TN$250,000
Black Swan Academy IncWashington, DC$200,000
Deep CenterSavannah, GA$200,000

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 13% of this one's giving went to organizations in District of Columbia. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

District of Columbia
$11.7M
Louisiana
$10.1M
California
$10.1M
New York
$9.3M
Michigan
$8.4M
Colorado
$7.5M
Oklahoma
$5.7M
Wisconsin
$4.8M

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund196 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc146 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc140 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program111 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust109 shared recipientsAmalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc105 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $100,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in District of Columbia.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in District of ColumbiaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding arts & culture in District of ColumbiaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding human services in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Public Welfare Foundation Inc's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2020-2023). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 1200 U Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20009. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 54-0597601 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.