Best Civil Rights Grants in Alaska

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a Princeton, New Jersey-based endowment fund providing grants to individuals, young adults who volunteer or intern for progressive social action projects or programs in an area of their interest and commitment. The Amy Adina Fund also sponsors a lecture each year on a relevant and timely topic related to its educational mission.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund was started in 1987 one year after Amy Adina, 20, died suddenly while a student and activist at Rutgers University. It is a realization of her family and her communities’ desire to celebrate her life, to fulfill her dreams and her potential. Since its inception, almost 1,500 grants have been awarded for work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States—nearly $1,000,000 in total. The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

About Our Grants

Small grants (depending on length of service), are awarded to as many applicants as possible rather than giving larger amounts to fewer individuals. The number of awards has grown each year thanks to annual contributions as well as to gifts sent to the Fund to honor special occasions and life cycle events.

Nonprofit fair housing enforcement organizations in Alaska can seek US $250,000 - US $500,000 to investigate and challenge discriminatory housing practices. Grants from US HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity support testing, enforcement, and related civil rights activities under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program Private Enforcement Initiative nationwide, including Alaska-based efforts.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities and fiscally sponsored projects rooted in BAMEMSA communities can seek up to US $25,000 in general operating support for civil and human rights work. With a mission to advance racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, Proteus Fund’s RISE Together Fund backs community power-building, civic engagement, and legal and policy advocacy, which may benefit Alaska-based civil rights efforts.

Civil rights law students in Alaska committed to advancing civil liberties can receive up to US $3,000 for scholarship support through the Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law. William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law awards this annual scholarship to a third-year student demonstrating strong scholastic merit and leadership in public interest law.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights and related community services in Alaska can seek multi-year support for philanthropic programs. Adient Foundation supports civil rights initiatives in Alaska by funding soundly managed organizations across the U.S.; applicants are evaluated on mission, management capacity, community relationships, and commitment to equal opportunity.

Adient Foundation provides Alaska civil rights organizations with one-time grants supporting charitable, community-focused programs across the U.S. Eligible applicants are tax-exempt, not-for-profit institutions with strong management, clear objectives, and a defined population served. Past recipients may reapply for renewed support through the standard annual application process; equal opportunity objectives are expected.

Researchers studying community-led development and civil rights–related issues in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the U.S., including those based in Alaska, can receive US $20,000 fellowships to conduct rigorous field research. The Social Science Research Council and Inter-American Foundation support projects on social inclusion, migration, violence prevention, sustainable agriculture, disaster resilience, and other community-driven development topics.

501(c)(3) public charities in Alaska working on civil rights, LGBTQIA2S+ support, displaced people, immigrant communities, or mental health resources can apply for Looking Out Foundation’s US $5,000 - US $25,000 grants. Funding supports social justice and humanitarian programs, including services for disadvantaged youth, women, the unhoused, and those facing food insecurity.

Alaska civil rights and criminal justice reform nonprofits led by formerly incarcerated or directly impacted people can seek rapid-response funding for urgent, event-driven work. Focused on opposing criminalization, surveillance, and incarceration, Circle for Justice Innovations invites 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups with budgets under $750,000 to apply for grants up to US $7,500.

Organizations and individuals in Alaska exploring civility, civil discourse, and civil practices can apply for GriffinHarte Foundation grants, with awards up to US $1,000. Funding supports conversations, research, scholarship, and educational practices tied to feminism, identity, and social, political, and economic justice, which may benefit civil rights-focused work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights and government accountability can seek US $5,000 - US $25,000 for one year of program support, including in Alaska. With a mission to defend basic freedoms, Herb Block Foundation provides nationwide funding to combat discrimination, safeguard Bill of Rights protections, and promote public accountability.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights and related civic or educational initiatives, including those serving Alaska, can seek project funding that advances constitutional liberties and strong civil society. The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation supports efforts consistent with limited government, free markets, and the development of informed, self-governing citizens.

Nonprofit schools, parks departments, community organizations, and amateur leagues providing structured sports programs for girls ages 11–18 can seek support to expand access and participation. Women’s Sports Foundation provides Alaska civil rights and youth-serving groups with funding for coaching, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facilities, tournaments, and team-building, specifically for programs serving predominantly Black, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American girls.

Nonprofit or aspiring 501(c)(3) local news organizations in Alaska that provide free, independent public-service journalism can access funding through American Journalism Project to build business and revenue capacity. Grantees must serve local information needs and demonstrate strong commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and advancing human and civil rights in their coverage and operations.

Education unions and affiliates working on racial justice initiatives in Alaska and nationwide can apply for the CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, awarding US $5,000 - US $75,000. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization support projects that advance racial equity, build leadership of people of color, foster multiracial solidarity, and transform organizational policies and practices.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Alaska working on intellectual freedom and civil discourse, rare diseases, Jewish heritage, elder care, or climate change may be eligible for program or research support. Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation funds innovative, well-planned projects with clear objectives, realistic budgets, and strong engagement with the intended beneficiaries.

Alaska schools, local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Safe Routes to School National Parternship to host Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events that promote activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. Grants of US $500 - US $1,000 support student-focused activities, materials, and programming that inspire youth leadership and civil rights dialogue.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running national or multi-state democracy and civil liberties initiatives, including those reaching Alaska, can apply for the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund’s support. Funding can assist projects that protect voting rights, reduce the influence of money in politics, or strengthen policy and education efforts to prevent gun violence.

Nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists creating environmental artistic activism projects can seek support for civil rights and social justice work in Alaska and across the U.S. With a mission to open doors for underrepresented artists, Puffin Foundation prioritizes solution-focused projects on climate and pressing environmental issues in eligible artistic disciplines.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

The Wolcott Family Foundation focuses on funding grassroots organizations that drive social change and environmental stewardship. They prioritize support for projects that empower communities, strengthen civil liberties, and address ecological challenges. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations in Colorado classified under section 501(c)(3), with grants awarded for one year. The foundation values projects emphasizing environmental preservation and community involvement aimed at tackling societal issues.

The Grassroots Organizing National Grant Program, funded by the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, supports small, community-led organizations in the U.S. working to confront social and environmental injustices. Grants of up to $30,000 per year are available for two years, prioritizing organizations with budgets under $350,000. The program emphasizes grassroots organizing and community empowerment, inspired by the legacy of John Lewis. Eligible applicants must focus on collective action and local leadership to drive social change.