Best Civil Rights Grants in Kentucky

Kentucky 501(c)(3) nonprofits using community organizing to advance civil and human rights can seek approximately US $12,000 in mostly general operating support. Focused on grassroots social, racial, economic justice and immigrant and worker rights, Abelard Foundation prioritizes small, local groups east of the Mississippi with emerging budgets under $350,000.

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 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 Kentucky can seek US $250,000 - US $500,000 to investigate and enforce fair housing laws, including through testing activities. Grants from US HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity support private enforcement efforts that protect civil rights in housing under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program’s Private Enforcement Initiative.

With a mission to advance justice and inclusive democracy, Proteus Fund provides U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities and fiscally sponsored projects up to US $25,000 in general operating support to serve BAMEMSA communities. Kentucky civil rights and civic engagement organizations focused on community power-building, advocacy, and movement infrastructure may be strong candidates.

Third-year law students focused on civil rights and civil liberties work in the U.S., including those from Kentucky, can receive up to US $3,000 to support their studies and leadership. William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law awards this scholarship based on scholastic merit, demonstrated commitment to civil rights, and, when relevant, financial need.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights and related community services in Kentucky may be eligible for multi-year support to advance philanthropic programs. Adient Foundation supports civil rights initiatives in the U.S. by funding soundly managed organizations with strong community relationships, clear objectives, and management capacity, with grants typically awarded as one-time contributions without automatic renewal.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations in the U.S. can seek support for charitable programs, including civil rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion work, through one-time grants from Adient Foundation. Kentucky groups may be eligible if they demonstrate strong management, community relationships, and a commitment to equal opportunity in their services and operations.

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

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights, LGBTQIA2S+ support, displaced people, immigrant communities, or mental health resources can apply for the Looking Out Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000 for program work. Kentucky organizations advancing social justice and humanitarian causes may be especially competitive.

Nonprofit organizations led by formerly incarcerated or directly impacted people can seek rapid-response funding for civil rights and criminal justice work in Kentucky and nationwide. Focused on opposing criminalization, surveillance, and incarceration, Circle for Justice Innovations invites grassroots groups to apply for up to US $7,500 to address urgent threats, protect protest and mutual aid, and advance restorative justice.

Individuals, agencies, and similar entities in Kentucky exploring civility, civil discourse, and civil practices can apply for GriffinHarte Foundation grants of up to US $1,000 to support related research, conversations, and educational work. Projects engaging civil rights, feminism, identity, and social, political, or economic justice may be especially relevant.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights and government accountability can seek one-year project support through this nationwide program, including Kentucky. With a mission to defend basic freedoms and combat discrimination, Herb Block Foundation provides funding for charitable and educational initiatives addressing contemporary societal issues, offering US $5,000 - US $25,000 awards.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights and related civic initiatives in Kentucky and across the U.S. can seek project funding that advances constitutional liberties, free markets, and civil society. The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation accepts letters of inquiry year-round for programs that strengthen informed citizenship, strong families, and vibrant communities.

Nonprofit schools, parks departments, amateur leagues, and youth-serving organizations in Kentucky and nationwide can receive funding to run structured sports programs for girls ages 11–18. Women’s Sports Foundation provides support for programs serving predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Native American girls, covering coaching, equipment, transportation, facilities, and related activities that build leadership and confidence through sports.

Nonprofit or aspiring 501(c)(3) local news organizations in Kentucky can receive funding to build sustainable business capacity and better serve local information needs. American Journalism Project provides U.S. digital newsrooms with investment, coaching, and training, prioritizing outlets that center diversity, equity, inclusion, and public-service journalism that is free and accessible to all.

State and local education affiliates in Kentucky working on racial justice in public education can apply for the CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, with awards of US $5,000 - US $75,000. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization support awareness, capacity-building, and action to advance racial and civil rights in K–12 schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Kentucky working on intellectual freedom and civil discourse, rare disease research, Jewish heritage, elder care, or climate change projects may be eligible for support. Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation funds innovative, well-planned initiatives with clear beneficiaries, measurable objectives, and strong capacity to implement impactful programs in these areas.

Organizations and individuals improving civil or criminal justice systems in the U.S., including Kentucky civil rights efforts, can receive recognition and US $15,000 awards for proven, model programs. Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides national awards honoring work in areas like legal reform, crime prevention, child protection, crime victims’ rights, and related justice innovations.

Kentucky schools, local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive US $500 - US $1,000 to host Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events that promote youth civil rights, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. Community partners may be eligible to fund walk-to-school activities, educational workshops, and materials that inspire student activism and leadership.

Nonprofit public charities with 501(c)(3) status working on democracy, civil liberties, or gun violence prevention across multiple states can apply for the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund’s invitation-only support. National or multi-state projects that protect voting rights, reduce money in politics, or strengthen gun violence prevention efforts may benefit, including organizations serving Kentucky.

The Puffin Foundation's Environmental Artistic Activism Grant Program supports artists addressing environmental issues through diverse artistic genres such as film, music, and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, fund projects that prioritize sustainability and innovative solutions to the climate crisis. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and current DACA recipients. The foundation emphasizes projects that avoid contributing to environmental harm while fostering artistic expression and community engagement.

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 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.