Best Human Rights Grants in New Hampshire

Nonprofit organizations working on equity in aging and social and racial justice in New Hampshire can access funding through Point32Health Foundation. Grants provide multi-year general operating support, including staff wellness and leadership development, for community-based efforts addressing systemic inequities, social determinants of health, and human rights issues affecting older people in disinvested communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in New Hampshire using community organizing to advance social, racial, or economic justice can seek approximately US $12,000 in mostly general support from the Abelard Foundation. Funding focuses on early-stage, locally based groups with budgets under $350,000 working on civil and human rights for marginalized constituencies.

Grassroots social justice and human rights organizations in New Hampshire can receive up to US $5,000 to address urgent, unforeseen crises or organizing opportunities affecting their communities. Haymarket People's Fund prioritizes people of color-led groups under $400,000 in budget and funds both emerging and established efforts within IRS-defined charitable or educational activities.

New Hampshire grassroots social justice and human rights organizing groups can access funding through Haymarket People's Fund for emerging or movement-building community organizing work. Grants up to Up to US $20,000 support anti-racist, constituency-led efforts in New England that address root causes of injustice rather than standalone direct services or individual projects.

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 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 reach can access funding for empathy-building work through Acton Family Giving, including groups in New Hampshire. The Empathy Building Initiative supports programs in social justice and human rights, storytelling, animal connection, and social-emotional development that align with its mission and giving areas.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in Greater Boston working on social justice, human rights, poverty, or related equity issues may be eligible for unrestricted operating support, including New Hampshire-border communities. Philanthropy Connection offers general operating grants to 501(c)(3) organizations with $200,000–$2 million in annual revenue that are financially stable and meet its mission criteria.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions conducting dissertation research on social justice, human rights, inequality, immigration, or related social science topics can receive up to US $15,000 for data collection, analysis, and writing. New Hampshire researchers may be eligible if projects focus on U.S. conditions and align with Russell Sage Foundation priority areas.

Early-career social science faculty researching human rights, social justice, or economic mobility in the U.S., including New Hampshire, can seek US $35,000 - US $50,000 in project funding from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focus areas include structural inequality, civic and political engagement, criminal justice, immigration, labor markets, education, and related systemic barriers to opportunity.

New Hampshire 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 student-led activities that promote activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and walking or rolling to school, advancing youth-centered human rights education.

501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice and human rights in New Hampshire can seek funding for education and related initiatives. Baskin Family Foundation supports forward-thinking programs, and New Hampshire nonprofits addressing human rights through educational or justice-focused work may be eligible under this U.S.-wide opportunity.

Graduate students pursuing social justice, public or human service, education, or health degrees who are residents of Kauai, Hawaii, can receive scholarship support for full-time master’s or doctoral studies. Focused on these fields, Hawai'i Community Foundation assists students with financial need who plan to study in Hawaii or on the U.S. mainland and may benefit future human rights work.

New Hampshire education unions and affiliates advancing racial justice in schools can apply for the CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant to support awareness, capacity-building, and action projects. Grants from National Education Association help human rights and social justice efforts that address racial equity, develop leaders of color, and transform organizational policies, with awards from US $5,000 - US $75,000.

Nonprofit and education-focused organizations working on K–12 student achievement and racial justice in education, including in New Hampshire, can seek partnership funding to support community advocacy and engagement initiatives. With a mission to strengthen education communities, National Education Association provides support for projects mobilizing community partners, engaging trained union leaders, and advancing social and racial justice in schools.

State Aspiring Educators organizations and campus chapters in New Hampshire 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 union affiliates working on student-centered advocacy and collective bargaining initiatives in New Hampshire can seek funding to enhance student learning and improve educator working conditions. National Education Association supports projects that engage communities, influence school policies, and advance social justice and human rights in K–12 and higher education settings, with awards up to US $50,000.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S., including New Hampshire, can receive more than US $142,000 for two-year social justice-focused fellowships with nonprofits. American Council of Learned Societies places fellows in substantive roles supporting community-based human rights and social justice work, with stipends, health insurance, relocation assistance, and professional development funding.

With a mission to support community development, nonprofits and qualified public entities in New Hampshire can access Santander Bank Foundation’s charitable sponsorships for affordable housing, small business development, financial education, job training, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization. Organizations advancing social justice and human rights for low- to moderate-income communities within Santander’s banking footprint may be eligible.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and qualifying foundations working on social justice and human rights may be eligible for American Electric Power Foundation support. Funding can back STEM education, hunger and housing programs, and broader equity initiatives. Organizations must be within AEP’s service territory or have national or regional reach.

New Hampshire nonprofits working on social justice, human rights, legal services, or reentry programs can access funding through the Indigo Oak Fund’s Equal Justice Under the Law program. This Colorado-based private foundation supports fairness in the justice system, anti-recidivism efforts, civic engagement, and education for future attorneys and social justice advocates; organizations nationwide may be considered.

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.

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.