Public Welfare Foundation Inc
Public Welfare Foundation Inc is a private, nonprofit grantmaking organization based in Washington, DC. Founded in 1947 and incorporated in Texas, the Foundation was reincorporated as a nonprofit in Delaware in 1951. It is designated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and operates as an independent entity focused on catalyzing systemic reform in the American justice system.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$601.1M
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$25.5M
+3.1% YoY
Grant Count
210
+32.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$121K
-21.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Public Welfare Foundation seeks to catalyze a transformative approach to justice in the United States that is community-led, restorative, and racially just. The Foundation's core values are racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness for all.
The Foundation focuses its grantmaking exclusively on:
- Criminal Justice Reform — addressing America's crisis of incarceration, which includes over 2.3 million people in jails and prisons, 18 million with felony convictions, and an estimated 70 million with criminal justice contact
- Youth Justice Reform — closing youth prisons and developing alternative approaches to youth justice
The Foundation works with communities to drive transformation through multiple angles including policy advocacy, organizing, leadership development, and demonstration projects. It prioritizes investing in the leadership of those most proximate to the issues facing the nation.
Grantmaking
The Foundation awards three types of grants:
Grant Range
of $100,000
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation distributes funding across multiple states including the Midwest, South, and West regions. Primary funding concentrates in the District of Columbia, California, and Michigan, which account for 34% of all grants. The Foundation has announced Maryland as its tenth and final jurisdiction for grantmaking.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $568 million (as of 2023)
- Total assets: $601.1 million (as of 2024)
- Annual revenue: $13.4 million (2023)
- Total revenues: $29.6 million (2024)
- Total expenses: $32.9 million (2024)
- Total liabilities: $19.6 million (2023)
- Investments: $554.7 million (as of 2023)
Historical Growth:
- Total assets grew from $449.8 million in 2010 to $567.5 million in 2023
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $601,086,862 | $567,506,423 | $570,343,812 |
| Revenue | $29,646,969 | $13,393,238 | $13,375,880 |
| Expenses | $32,952,461 | $40,014,035 | $27,339,586 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $36,232,855 | $30,108,406 | $29,703,688 |
| Net Investment Income | $32,185,249 | — | $45,427,175 |
| Distributable Amount | $27,906,132 | $28,147,124 | $29,985,483 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Public Welfare Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Thomas J. Scanlon is listed as the owner of the Foundation. The Foundation's principal officer is listed as Grants Management.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced several recent grant initiatives:
Public Welfare Foundation Awards $3.5 million in True Reformer Grants**True Reformer Grants** — awarded $3.5 million in grants through this program
Public Welfare Foundation Awards $3.5 million in True Reformer Grants**Justice Reform Grants** — announced $4 million in grants for justice reform
Public Welfare Foundation Awards $3.5 million in True Reformer Grants**Strategic Shift Results** — announced early results from a shift in strategy focused on Black and Brown-led organizations
PUBLIC WELFARE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES EARLY RESULTS FROM SHIFT IN STRATEGY**Jurisdiction Expansion** — announced Maryland as the tenth and final jurisdiction for grantmaking
PUBLIC WELFARE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES MARYLAND AS TENTH AND FINAL JURISDICTION**Recent Grant Announcement** — announced $7.9 million in grants
Public Welfare Foundation Awards $3.5 million in True Reformer GrantsThe Foundation is actively conducting evaluation and learning work, including surveys of grantees and those impacted by grantee work, as well as research on shifting narratives around violence and harm reduction in Washington, DC.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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