← All foundations

Private foundation · Washington, DC (gives in Tennessee from out of state)

Public Welfare Foundation Inc.

Takes applications

Key facts

Grants in Tennessee
10 totaling $1.3M
Typical grant
$100K to $200K (middle half of its Tennessee grants)
A realistic first ask
About $100K, its median Tennessee grant. New grantees usually get less than long-time ones.
Where it gives
Davidson County, Shelby County, Jefferson County, Knox County · plus 154 grants outside Tennessee
Buildings & equipment
None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
Funds new groups?
11% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2022–2023): 1 of 9.
Total giving that year
$25.8M

Giving by year

Giving by year from its IRS filings
Tax yearTotal grants paidTo TennesseeTennessee grants
2024$25.8M$1.3M10
2023$25.5M$1.4M12
2022$24.7M$1.1M4

How to apply

Contact
Grants management · 2029651800
What to send
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 foundation's website at http://www.publicwelfare.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/
Deadlines
Letters of inquiry are examined on a rolling basis.
Limits
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.

As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2024. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.

Board and officers

Does your board know anyone here?

Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.

  • Henning KristinDirector
  • Jones CandicePresident
  • Alexander CraigCfao
  • Byrd DonnaDirector
  • Diaz EvelynDirector
  • Graham ChristopherDirector
  • Larsen TamaraDirector
  • Mananzala RickkeDirector
  • Meade SheenaDirector
  • Oliveros GumersindoDirector
  • Taylor-Thompson KimDirector
  • Washington EricDirector

As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.

What it funds most often

  • Support for gideon's trumpet redux-continued
  • Support for justice, not just surviving
  • Support for mississippi prison reform coalition
  • Support for towards a people's justice
  • Support for criminal justice data reporting project (continued)
  • Support for memphis organizing fellowship
  • Support for youth-led organizing for community-based safety and justice
  • Support for bridges to freedom movement: 25 initiative

Tennessee organizations it funded

Largest first. Groups it already funds are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.

Tennessee grants from Public Welfare Foundation Inc.
RecipientWherePurposeAmount
JustcityMemphis, Shelby CountyGeneral support$250K
Highlander Research and Education Center Inc.New Market, Jefferson CountySupport for towards a people's justice$250K
Southern Movement CommitteeNashville, Davidson CountySupport for youth-led organizing for community-based safety and justice$200K
Community SharesKnoxville, Knox CountySupport for justice, not just surviving$158K
Choosing Justice InitiativeNashville, Davidson CountySupport for gideon's trumpet redux-continued$100K
Highlander Research and Education Center Inc.New Market, Jefferson CountySupport for mississippi prison reform coalition$100K
Institute for Public Service ReportingMemphis, Shelby CountySupport for criminal justice data reporting project (continued)$100K
Memphis Artists for ChangeMemphis, Shelby CountySupport for Memphis organizing fellowship$100K
Unheard Voices OutreachNashville, Davidson CountySupport for bridges to freedom movement: 25 initiative$75K
Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (aka Tadp)Nashville, Davidson CountyGeneral support$10K

Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save