Best Human Rights Grants in Massachusetts

Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups with urgent human rights and social justice needs can receive approximately US $2,500 for immediate expenses. New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund prioritizes historically underfunded organizations advancing racial and ethnic justice, civic engagement, community empowerment, and related human rights work across the state.

Massachusetts grassroots groups focused on social justice and human rights organizing can access funding through Haymarket People's Fund for emerging and movement-building efforts. Grants up to US $20,000 support anti-racist, community-led organizing in New England; organizations need not have 501(c)(3) status but must keep work within charitable or educational activities.

Nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts working on equity in aging and social and racial justice can receive multi-year, general operating support, including staff wellness and leadership capacity building. Grants from Point32Health Foundation help human rights and social justice groups address systemic inequities affecting older people and communities most impacted by disinvestment and structural barriers.

Grassroots social justice and human rights organizations in Massachusetts and the New England region can receive up to US $5,000 in urgent response funding to address unforeseen crises, political moments, or organizing opportunities. Haymarket People's Fund prioritizes people of color-led groups under $400,000 that center anti-racism and anti-oppression in their work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Massachusetts using community organizing to advance social, racial, economic, or human rights can seek approximately US $12,000 in general support from the Abelard Foundation. Focused on grassroots groups with budgets under $350,000, it prioritizes early-stage efforts building local leadership and linking local work to broader policy change.

501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice and education initiatives in Massachusetts can seek support for forward-thinking programs that advance human rights and equity. The Baskin Family Foundation funds U.S.-based nonprofits, so Massachusetts human rights groups may be eligible if their work aligns with the foundation’s education or social justice priorities.

Massachusetts 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, advancing social justice and human rights education.

Early-career social science faculty researching economic mobility, inequality, and related human rights issues can apply for US $35,000 - US $50,000 in one-year project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on U.S.-based studies, the program invites Massachusetts and other U.S. scholars to propose innovative, data-driven work on structural barriers and access to opportunity.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions conducting dissertation research on social, political, or economic inequality, race and ethnicity, immigration, workers’ rights, or related social justice topics can access funding through Russell Sage Foundation, including those in Massachusetts. Awards up to US $15,000 support data collection, preparation, analysis, and writing focused on U.S. conditions.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in the Greater Boston area working on poverty, income inequality, employment or educational readiness, health and wellness, or social bias can receive unrestricted general operating support. Philanthropy Connection offers these grants to 501(c)(3) organizations with $200,000–$2 million in annual revenue and solid financial standing in Massachusetts.

The Empathy Building Initiative, led by Acton Family Giving, seeks to foster partnerships with organizations aligned with its mission. While currently not expanding its portfolio, it invites inquiries from potential partners. Eligible organizations must hold 501(c)3 status and align with specific giving areas. The initiative focuses on a national or broad reach and evaluates grant applications based on alignment and conversation. For more details, potential partners are encouraged to review the grants list available on their website.

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.

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 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 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 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.

City of Boston Racial Justice Initiatives

The City aims to make sure all of us have access and support to thrive from childhood to retirement. We're focused on community impact, comprehensive policy advocacy, and systemic inequities.

Program Description 

This program seeks to build a solid foundation increasing participation in civil life for all residents, recognizing that historically underserved populations disproportionately face barriers to exercising their rights, whether at the ballot box, in housing, in accessing government services in their own language, or in navigating systems not designed with their needs in mind. 

This grant funds community organizations to build residents' knowledge of their civil rights and connect them to existing City, state, and federal resources, closing the awareness gap that leaves many residents unaware of protections and services that already exist. This grant funds education, outreach, and/or referral, not direct service delivery. Since City and State departments already provide fair housing enforcement, language access services, disability accommodations, or election administration, funded organizations will build awareness of and connect residents to those existing resources, rather than duplicating them, closing the gap between residents and the protections and services already available to them.

Funded program activities include:

Organizations may propose programming in one or more of the following eligible areas, based on their expertise and the needs of the communities they serve. Programming is not required to address every area, but proposed activities must fall under at least one eligible area.

• Civil Rights Education & Navigation: Know Your Rights workshops; referrals to and distribution of appropriate City, state, and federal civil rights resources and publicly available information, including printed and digital materials, without providing individualized legal advice or representation or creating new materials; and youth engagement programming, community forums, and leadership-development sessions.
• Voting Rights & Civic Access: Nonpartisan voter registration and education in low-turnout precincts, using existing City and state-approved voter information and multilingual materials.
• Fair Housing & Anti-Discrimination: Education regarding fair housing protections, discrimination, available resources, and pathways for reporting to the appropriate City and state agencies.
• Language Access: Community education regarding residents' ability to access government information, programs, and services in languages other than English, and connection to existing City and state language access resources.
• Disability Rights & Accessibility: Education regarding accessibility protections, reasonable accommodations, and accessible government programs and services, and connection to existing City and state disability resources.

Graduate students focusing on social justice, public or human service, education, or health can receive scholarship support for master’s or doctoral studies through Hawai'i Community Foundation’s Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund. Applicants must be full-time Kauai residents in Hawaii with financial need and strong academics; Massachusetts-based human rights students may be eligible if they meet these criteria and study in the U.S.

Education unions and affiliates advancing racial justice in K–12 education can apply for the CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, which supports awareness, capacity-building, and action projects across the U.S., including Massachusetts. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization range from US $5,000 - US $75,000, with one-year and possible multi-year support.

Nonprofit and education-focused organizations working to advance K–12 student achievement and racial justice in education in Massachusetts can apply for partnership funding that supports community advocacy, leadership engagement, and union-based community roles. With a mission to strengthen educational equity, National Education Association provides support for initiatives centered on social justice and human rights in schools.

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

Nonprofit organizations hosting social justice and human rights projects in Massachusetts can partner with ACLS Leading Edge Fellows, who bring recent humanities PhD expertise to substantive roles. Recent U.S.-work-authorized PhDs in the humanities or interpretive social sciences receive more than US $142,000 in stipend support plus benefits over a 24‑month fellowship.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and qualified public entities addressing community development, economic mobility, or human rights in Massachusetts counties within Santander’s footprint may be eligible for charitable sponsorship. With a mission to strengthen communities, Santander Bank Foundation supports programs such as affordable housing, small business development, workforce training, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization benefiting low- to moderate-income residents.

Massachusetts 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and qualifying foundations can access funding for social justice, STEM education, and basic human needs programs that advance equity and inclusion. The American Electric Power Foundation accepts invited requests from organizations within its service territory or with regional or national reach that benefit the public and AEP customers.

Massachusetts human rights and legal services nonprofits can access funding through Indigo Oak Fund’s Equal Justice Under the Law program to support fair justice, rehabilitation, and anti-recidivism initiatives. Organizations promoting civic engagement or educating future attorneys and social justice workers may also be considered, with typical funding focused on Colorado and the Bay Area but occasionally other areas.

The Mockingbird Nonprofit Incubator Grant Program supports emerging nonprofit founders in creating sustainable growth and impact. The program includes eight live workshops on nonprofit management, fundraising, and access to resources from Givebutter. Selected organizations receive scholarships and the chance to apply for $4,000 in grant funds. Eligibility is limited to 501c3 nonprofits or those under fiscal sponsorship with budgets under $500,000, fostering a community of committed leaders ready to make a difference.

The B.W. Bastian Foundation Grant supports organizations committed to equality for all Americans, including the LGBTQ+ community. Grants typically range from $100 to $15,000, and applicants must have 501(C)3 tax status. Funding is primarily for projects in the Intermountain West and may include general operating support or specific programs. Organizations should first inquire before applying, especially if requesting more than previous grants. The foundation does not fund individuals or lobbying efforts.