Best Social Justice Grants in Arkansas

Rural, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations using grassroots organizing for social, economic, or environmental justice in Arkansas and other Southeastern states can seek general or project support through the Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle. Southern Partners Fund prioritizes small-budget groups building community power, leadership, and systemic change rather than direct services.

Rural grassroots community groups in Arkansas and the broader Southeast working on social, economic, or environmental justice can receive support for organizing, capacity building, and travel assistance. Southern Partners Fund’s Discretionary Fund prioritizes education reform, immigration rights, and voter engagement, offering up to US $3,500 per year across two requests for eligible rural organizations.

Grants from Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation help Arkansas social justice and equity-focused organizations fund narrative change, movement building, and policy and advocacy efforts. Eligible groups working to advance economic, educational, social, racial, and ethnic equity for ALICE families can seek multi-year, unrestricted support by initiating a funding request or connecting through a WRF convening.

The WWT Foundation Grant aims to empower organizations aligned with the foundation's values, focusing on community service, employee engagement, and business impact. Key areas of support include career readiness, STEM education, human services, and health and wellness. Eligible organizations must be located in the U.S. and registered as 501(c)(3). Applications are accepted year-round, allowing for flexible engagement and support for impactful community initiatives.

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 and fiscally sponsored projects with national or broad multi-region reach can access funding for empathy-building work, including social justice and human rights, through Acton Family Giving. Arkansas-based groups with expansive reach that fit its Stories, Animal Connection, Areas of Exploration, or Good Fight priorities may be considered.

Arkansas social justice and human rights researchers enrolled as U.S.-based doctoral students can access funding through the Russell Sage Foundation’s Dissertation Research Grants to support all aspects of dissertation work. Projects must address U.S.-focused topics in areas like inequality, work, race, ethnicity, or immigration, with awards up to US $15,000 for one year.

Focused on social science research about economic mobility and inequality, this program invites early-career faculty in the U.S., including those in Arkansas, to propose one-year projects. Russell Sage Foundation’s Sheldon Danziger Pipeline Grants provide US $35,000 - US $50,000 for studies on social justice–related issues such as income, labor markets, education, immigration, and criminal justice.

Arkansas 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. Grants of US $500 - US $1,000 support November activities that promote activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and student walking or rolling to school, benefiting social justice education efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice or education in Arkansas can seek support for forward-thinking programs. Baskin Family Foundation supports initiatives across the U.S., so Arkansas-based groups addressing social justice and human rights may be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

Graduate students from Kauai pursuing degrees in social justice, public or human service, education, or health can receive scholarship support from Hawai'i Community Foundation. Focused on these fields, the Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund favors Hawaii residents intending to work in Kauai or elsewhere in the state, which may benefit future social justice leaders beyond Arkansas.

Education-focused unions and affiliates working on racial justice initiatives in Arkansas can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, awarding US $5,000 - US $75,000. Funding supports projects that advance racial equity in schools through awareness, capacity-building, leadership development for people of color, and organizational transformation for equitable policies.

Nonprofit and education-focused organizations working on K–12 student achievement and racial justice in Arkansas can seek support for community advocacy and partnership initiatives. With a mission to strengthen public education, National Education Association Staff Organization provides funding to mobilize community partners, engage trained union leaders, and build roles that advance social justice and equity in schools.

State Aspiring Educators organizations and campus chapters in Arkansas can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CREATE grants, awarding up to US $2,000 for projects that strengthen AE programs and partnerships. Funding can support educator preparation, community engagement, education-focused political action, or social justice initiatives, with submission deadlines three times each year.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S., including Arkansas-based scholars, 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 at community-focused organizations, providing a two-year stipend, health insurance, relocation support for in-person posts, and professional development funding.

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

Arkansas social justice and legal services nonprofits working on fair justice systems, reentry, or juvenile justice may be eligible for the Equal Justice Under the Law program, which generally funds in Colorado and the Bay Area but occasionally supports other areas. The Indigo Oak Fund backs programs advancing rehabilitation, civic engagement, and education for future attorneys and social justice workers.

Emerging 501(c)(3) and fiscally sponsored nonprofits in Arkansas focused on social justice or community services can access capacity-building training and up to US $4,000 in funding through this cohort-based incubator program. Mockingbird Incubator and Givebutter provide workshops, fundraising support, and potential seed and matching funds to help small organizations under $500,000 grow sustainably.

B.W. Bastian Foundation provides Arkansas social justice and human rights nonprofits with US $100 - US $15,000 for general operating support, projects, advocacy, and capacity building. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that explicitly affirm equality for all Americans, including the gay and lesbian community, may be funded, with additional opportunities for nationally scoped U.S. initiatives.

Researchers studying community-led social justice and development in Latin America and the Caribbean, including those based in Arkansas, can receive US $20,000 fellowships to conduct rigorous field research. The Social Science Research Council and Inter-American Foundation support projects on issues like economic opportunity, migration, violence prevention, social inclusion, and disaster resilience in partnership with community organizations.

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.

The BJA FY 2026 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act Program aims to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting civil rights offenses that resulted in death before December 31, 1979. This funding opportunity is part of the DOJ's broader commitment to enhance public safety, protect civil rights, and ensure justice for victims of violent crime. Applications are due on November 20, 2026.

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.