Best Human Rights Grants in North Dakota

The AJ Muste Foundation's Rapid Response Grants support U.S.-based organizations engaged in grassroots activism for social justice. These grants, up to $5,000, are aimed at addressing immediate needs of groups fighting for equality and liberation. The funding is designed for unexpected opportunities and emergencies, promoting powerful organizing efforts. The foundation prioritizes groups lacking traditional funding sources and those focused on systemic change rather than individual support.

The HRE USA 2025 Edmonds Summer Fellowship honors the legacy of Kirby Edmonds by offering young leaders hands-on experience in human rights education. This fellowship provides mentorship and learning opportunities to engage youth in creating human rights-friendly schools and communities. Supported by the Dorothy Cotton Institute, it aims to nurture future leaders committed to human rights advocacy. Eligible candidates must be 18 or older, reside in the U.S., and commit to 100 hours of work between June and August 2025.

The Alexandra Hallock Capacity Building Grant for Small Nonprofits, established in 2024, honors the legacy of Alexandra Hallock by supporting small nonprofits focused on human rights, women's empowerment, and LGBTQ+ causes. This grant offers a one-time $20,000 unrestricted funding along with pro-bono capacity building support. It aims to strengthen organizational infrastructure and governance, ensuring impactful community engagement. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 nonprofits with revenue under $400,000, operating for at least one year, and based in the U.S.

The Park Foundation Grants for Civic Participation aim to enhance democracy through active civic engagement. Focused on mobilizing voters and protecting their rights, this program supports grassroots organizations addressing social injustices. By fostering year-round involvement rather than just election-focused efforts, the foundation seeks to empower communities and ensure robust participation in the democratic process, ultimately contributing to a more equitable society.

The Call for Kindness Grant, offered by Riley's Way Foundation, empowers young leaders aged 13-23 to launch impactful social projects focused on kindness and community connection. With grants up to $5,000, recipients receive essential mentorship, coaching, and community support. This initiative has already benefited over 3,500 youth nationwide, promoting values of empathy and social change. Applicants can pursue projects in diverse areas, including environmental justice, ensuring a broad impact in their communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored projects with national or broad multi-region reach working on empathy-building programs can access funding via Acton Family Giving, including work in North Dakota. Grants support initiatives in areas like social justice and human rights, storytelling, animal connection, and social-emotional learning that align with its Empathy Building Initiative.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions conducting social science dissertation research on social justice, human rights, inequality, work, or immigration in the U.S., including North Dakota, can access funding through the Russell Sage Foundation. Awards up to US $15,000 support data collection, preparation, analysis, and writing, with priority for underrepresented scholars and projects on inequality.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, opportunity, or systemic inequality can apply for funding from the Russell Sage Foundation, including scholars in North Dakota. Focused on social justice and human rights, this program offers US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects and pairs grantees with senior research mentors.

North Dakota local governments, public schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and Safe Routes to School programs can access funding through Safe Routes to School National Parternship to host Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events. Grants of US $500 - US $1,000 support student-led activities promoting activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and youth civic engagement around walking, biking, or rolling to school.

501(c)(3) organizations working on education or social justice in North Dakota can seek funding to support forward-thinking programs that advance human rights and equity. The Baskin Family Foundation accepts submissions from qualifying U.S. nonprofits, which may benefit North Dakota human rights initiatives within these focus areas.

Graduate students focused on social justice, public or human service, education, or health who are residents of Kauai in Hawaii can receive scholarship support for master’s or doctoral studies. Funded by Hawai'i Community Foundation, this award may benefit those pursuing human rights–related careers, including students who plan to work in Hawaii after completing their degrees.

State and local education affiliates working on racial justice in education can apply for US $5,000 - US $75,000 from the National Education Association Staff Organization to advance awareness, capacity-building, and action. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization help North Dakota human rights and social justice efforts that explicitly address racial equity, develop leaders of color, and promote multiracial solidarity.

Education-focused organizations working to advance social justice and human rights in North Dakota can seek support for community advocacy and partnership initiatives. With a mission to strengthen racial justice in education, National Education Association provides funding to improve student achievement for students of color, build union-community partnerships, and deepen parent and community engagement around K–12 equity.

State Aspiring Educators organizations and campus chapters in North Dakota can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization CREATE grants, awarding up to US $2,000 for projects that strengthen AE programs and partnerships. Funding can support educator quality, community engagement, political action, or social justice initiatives that advance human rights and educational equity.

Education unions and NEA affiliates working on student-centered bargaining and advocacy in North Dakota can seek funding to advance social justice, human rights, and equitable K–12 education. National Education Association supports initiatives that engage communities, influence board policies, and use collective action to improve student learning conditions and educator workplaces across the U.S., with awards up to US $50,000.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S., including North Dakota, can receive more than US $142,000 in fellowship support for social justice work with nonprofits. American Council of Learned Societies places fellows in substantive roles that use advanced research, communication, and project management skills to promote human rights and equity.

North Dakota social justice and human rights nonprofits can access funding through American Electric Power Foundation to support STEM education, basic human needs like hunger and housing, and equity-focused programs. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) charities or public institutions within AEP’s multistate service territory or with regional or national reach benefiting its customers.

North Dakota human rights and legal advocacy nonprofits can access funding through Indigo Oak Fund’s Equal Justice Under the Law program to support fair justice initiatives, rehabilitation, and anti-recidivism efforts. Organizations focused on civic engagement or educating future attorneys and social justice workers may also be considered, with typical funding concentrated in Colorado and the Bay Area.

Nonprofit founders of small 501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice or human rights in North Dakota can access training and up to US $4,000 in funding to grow their impact. Mockingbird Incubator’s eight-week cohort program combines workshops, fundraising support through Givebutter, and a chance at additional matching and seed funding for U.S.-based groups.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice and human rights in North Dakota can access funding through the B.W. Bastian Foundation for general operating support, projects, advocacy, and capacity building. Typical grants range from US $100 - US $15,000, and applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to equality, including LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Researchers studying community-led human rights and social justice issues in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the U.S. can receive US $20,000 fellowships to conduct rigorous, field-based studies on community-led development. Grants from the Social Science Research Council and Inter-American Foundation may benefit North Dakota–based scholars focused on topics like social inclusion, violence prevention, migration, or sustainable livelihoods.

Resist.

In 1967, Resist emerged out of the resistance to the Vietnam War and evolved to support the visionary frontline groups that are resisting, re-imagining, and transforming their communities for a more just and liberated world.

Resist is a foundation that supports people’s movements for justice and liberation. We redistribute resources back to frontline communities at the forefront of change while amplifying their stories of building a better world.

Our grant-making: Throughout this history, Resist has provided critical early funding to some of the most influential progressive organizations in the U.S. In total, Resist has granted more than $12 million to over 6,000 dedicated groups across the United States.

Urgent Action Fund

The 2026 Urgent Action Fund resources organizations with urgent projects or requests that include, but are not limited to, events, direct actions, accessibility, and mutual aid. Applications will open on the last Monday and close the following Friday of each month until cap has been reached. Projects that reflect escalated resistance, campaigns, events, projects or programmatic work will be prioritized.

Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center Inc.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center litigates, educates, advocates, and provides grants to nonprofits to eradicate social injustices. 

We pursue litigation through our own efforts as well as funding others in the following fifteen issue areas: Access to Benefits, Children’s Rights, Disability Rights, Discrimination, Domestic Violence, Due Process, Environmental Justice, Healthcare, Homelessness, Housing, Native American Rights, Prisoners’ Rights, Refugee and Immigration Rights, Voting Rights, and Veterans’ Rights.

Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center Grant

We make grants to organizations that undertake systemic social justice litigation across fifteen issue areas. The Center funds litigation matters that are consistent with our namesake Barbara McDowell’s past legal efforts and her beliefs regarding social justice.

Applications must be for a specific social justice legal case, including the filing of an appeal. Grant funds are to be used only for attorney time charges and litigation expenses related to the specific case for which an organization is applying to be funded. 

About NIF

Advancing Equality for All Israelis

The New Israel Fund (NIF) helps Israel live up to its founders’ vision of a society that ensures complete equality to all its inhabitants. Our aim is to advance liberal democracy, including freedom of speech and minority rights, and to fight the inequality, injustice and extremism that diminish Israel.

From Israel’s first rape crisis centers, to fighting discrimination, NIF-funded organizations have driven positive social change and furthered justice and equality. NIF has provided over $350 million to more than 950 organizations since our inception in 1979.

Naomi Chazan Global Activism Fellowship

Want to travel to Israel/Palestine while advancing equality, democracy, and peace for all?

The New Israel Fund’s Naomi Chazan Global Activism Fellowship offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to visit Israel/Palestine, meet frontline Israeli and Palestinian activists, and learn about issues of war, peace, and inequality by seeing the reality on the ground. 

Fellows will visit Israel/Palestine on November 3-10, 2026.

This trip is a great opportunity to learn alongside peers and friends (ages 21 – 35). NIF is based on the simple idea that those of us who share a commitment to Israel/Palestine and to progressive values can join together to work for equality, freedom, and human rights. You will join a cohort of participants from the U.S. and Canada building relationships across borders to be sustained for years to come.

Following the trip, participants are expected to organize at least two NIF events in their home communities, with support from NIF staff. These events could look like a report-back highlighting the participants’ learnings from the trip, educational programs featuring NIF grantees/partners, or something else entirely that is tailored to the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of the fellow’s communities.

The program is subsidized by generous donors in the NIF community. All “on-the-ground” costs—your hotel accommodation and almost all meals—will be covered by NIF. Participants are responsible for purchasing their own airfare and travel/health insurance. If the cost of airfare is a barrier for you, please apply anyway. Limited airfare subsidies may be available.

The Baugh Foundation supports progressive, inclusive, nonprofit organizations that reflect the love of Christ by providing assistance to those in need, enriching the lives of children and youth, keeping faith communities informed and engaged, and guarding the wall of separation between church and state.We welcome applications from progressive, faith-based organizations. At this time, the vast majority of our funding goes to progressive Baptist organizations or initiatives, and organizations that work to guard the separation of church and state. We believe that a free church in a free state is dependent upon a functioning democracy.Funding Priorities: 

• Social justice and advocacy
• Progressive faith-based journalism
• Meeting basic human needs
• Progressive faith-based post-secondary education
• Inclusivity initiatives
• Arts and enrichment

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.

The Richard L and Freda K Flerlage Foundation

Our Mission

Working to empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,800.