Private foundation · Washington, DC (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Public Welfare Foundation Inc.
In 2024 it gave 10 grants worth $1.3 million to Tennessee groups, 4 of them in Davidson County. A typical grant was $100,000 to $200,000.
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 10 totaling $1.3 million · 4 in Davidson County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $100,000 to $200,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $100,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat 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? How we figure this
- 11% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2022–2023): 1 of 9.
- Total giving that year
- $25.8 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $25.8M | $1.3M | 10 |
| 2023 | $25.5M | $1.4M | 12 |
| 2022 | $24.7M | $1.1M | 4 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
- Contact
- Grants Management · (202) 965-1800
- 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 (1 grant)
- Support for justice, not just surviving (1 grant)
- Support for mississippi prison reform coalition (1 grant)
- Support for towards a people's justice (1 grant)
- Support for criminal justice data reporting project (continued) (1 grant)
- Support for Memphis organizing fellowship (1 grant)
- Support for youth-led organizing for community-based safety and justice (1 grant)
- Support for bridges to freedom movement: 25 initiative (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 0 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 1 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 1 |
| $100,000 or more | 8 |
From its 2024 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Davidson County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Movement Committee | Nashville, Davidson County | Support for youth-led organizing for community-based safety and justice | $200K |
| Choosing Justice Initiative | Nashville, Davidson County | Support for gideon's trumpet redux-continued | $100K |
| Unheard Voices Outreach | Nashville, Davidson County | Support for bridges to freedom movement: 25 initiative | $75K |
| Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (aka Tadp) | Nashville, Davidson County | General support | $10K |
| Justcity | Memphis, Shelby County | General support | $250K |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | Support for towards a people's justice | $250K |
| Community Shares | Knoxville, Knox County | Support for justice, not just surviving | $158K |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | Support for mississippi prison reform coalition | $100K |
| Institute for Public Service Reporting | Memphis, Shelby County | Support for criminal justice data reporting project (continued) | $100K |
| Memphis Artists for Change | Memphis, Shelby County | Support for Memphis organizing fellowship | $100K |
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save