Best Social Justice Grants in New Jersey

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey can seek program support for environmental, cultural arts, education, religious social justice, and print-based media initiatives, with awards of US $5,000 - US $15,000. The Paulina and Stephen Cepreghy Charitable Foundation particularly favors projects advancing social, economic, and political justice that fit these focus areas.

Focused on social justice and human rights, New Jersey 501(c)(3) community organizing groups can seek approximately US $12,000 in general support from Abelard Foundation. Eligible organizations must be located east of the Mississippi and work with low-income, immigrant, worker, and other marginalized constituencies to advance democratic participation and civil and human rights.

Grants from Stone Foundation help New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored community groups pursue social and economic justice work, including basic needs, health, education, arts, and environmental justice. Organizations headquartered and operating in New Jersey, primarily Monmouth County, can seek general operating or project-specific support, with awards ranging from US $5,000 to US $25,000.

Nonprofit organizations in New Jersey advancing Christian-based spiritual growth, community engagement, or social justice initiatives can apply for the Church in Radburn Christian Values Grant, awarding US $15,000 - US $50,000. With a mission to strengthen equity-focused community efforts, Community Foundation of New Jersey supports projects in Bergen and Passaic Counties serving marginalized and underserved residents.

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. 

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.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored projects advancing empathy-building work can access funding for storytelling, human-animal connection, social-emotional learning, and related social justice and human rights programs through Acton Family Giving. Organizations in New Jersey may be eligible if they have statewide or broader reach and align with the Empathy Building Initiative’s giving areas.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions researching social justice, inequality, immigration, or related social science topics can receive up to US $15,000 for dissertation data collection, analysis, and writing, including work relevant to New Jersey. New Jersey social justice researchers can access funding through Russell Sage Foundation’s Dissertation Research Grants program, which prioritizes projects improving social and living conditions in the U.S.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, inequality, or social justice topics can apply for the Sheldon Danziger Pipeline Grants, with awards of US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects. Focused on structural barriers and access to opportunity, the Russell Sage Foundation invites New Jersey scholars and others nationwide to propose innovative, data-driven studies.

New Jersey 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 2026 activities that promote activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and encourage students to walk, bike, or roll to school.

501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice or education in New Jersey may be eligible for support to advance forward-thinking programs. Baskin Family Foundation supports initiatives across the U.S., so New Jersey social justice and human rights nonprofits with strong, innovative approaches could benefit from this funding opportunity.

Graduate students pursuing social justice, public or human service, education, or health who are residents of Kauai, Hawaii can apply for the Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund. Focused on these fields, Hawai'i Community Foundation invites applicants with financial need and strong academics; New Jersey social justice organizations may share this with eligible students connected to Hawaii.

State and local education affiliates advancing racial and social justice in schools, including in New Jersey, can apply for the National Education Association Staff Organization’s CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization help fund awareness, capacity-building, and action projects that promote racial equity, leadership of people of color, and multiracial solidarity, with awards from US $5,000 - US $75,000.

Education-focused unions and affiliates working on K–12 student achievement and racial justice in New Jersey can seek funding to build community advocacy and partnerships. With a mission to strengthen educational equity, National Education Association provides support for initiatives in communities of color, leadership-based social justice activism, and new union roles for parent and community engagement.

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

Education unions and NEA affiliates working on student-centered bargaining and advocacy initiatives in New Jersey can seek funding to enhance student learning and improve educator working conditions. National Education Association supports projects that engage communities, promote social justice, and influence policies for healthy, equitable schools, with awards up to US $50,000.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S. can receive more than US $142,000 to work with social justice–focused nonprofits, including in New Jersey. American Council of Learned Societies’ Leading Edge Fellowships place fellows in substantive roles using research, communication, and project management skills over a 24‑month term.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public agencies, tribal entities, and schools providing community development programs in New Jersey may be eligible for charitable sponsorship supporting low- to moderate-income communities. With a mission to advance educational, physical, and economic mobility, Santander Bank Foundation provides funding for social justice, economic mobility, workforce development, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

New Jersey and other U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and qualifying foundations can seek funding for social justice, basic needs, and STEM education programs that benefit communities in the AEP service territory. Organizations advancing social justice or equity-focused initiatives may be eligible, with invitations to apply coordinated through local AEP operating companies.

New Jersey social justice and legal services nonprofits working on fair justice, rehabilitation, anti-recidivism, or 7th Amendment issues can access funding through the Indigo Oak Fund’s Equal Justice Under the Law program. Organizations promoting civic engagement or educating future attorneys and social justice workers may also be considered, with primary funding in Colorado and the Bay Area but occasional support elsewhere.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored groups with budgets under $500,000 can access capacity-building training and up to US $4,000 for organizational growth through this cohort-based incubator program. Mockingbird Incubator supports emerging leaders, including social justice and grassroots organizers, with workshops, fundraising support, and access to expert networks across the U.S.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering program-based work in environmental sustainability, social justice, or economic empowerment can apply for US $500 - US $15,000 to support upcoming initiatives. Focused on community transformation, PSEG Foundation invites organizations in its New Jersey service counties to advance environmental justice, equity, workforce development, and related social justice priorities.

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