Best Civil Rights Grants in Mississippi

Focused on grassroots organizing, the Abelard Foundation invites Mississippi 501(c)(3) nonprofits east of the Mississippi River to seek support for progressive social change. Grants of approximately US $12,000 fund community organizing that advances civil and human rights, especially for low-income and disenfranchised communities, with priority for small, early-stage local organizations.

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.

Private, nonprofit fair housing enforcement organizations conducting civil rights and housing discrimination work in Mississippi can access funding through the US HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. Grants of US $250,000 - US $500,000 support testing, investigating, and enforcing the Fair Housing Act and equivalent state or local fair housing laws.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities and fiscally sponsored projects supporting BAMEMSA communities with civil and human rights, civic engagement, and immigration justice work can seek up to US $25,000 in flexible general operating support. With a mission to advance racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, Proteus Fund prioritizes community power-building, advocacy, and movement infrastructure, including groups in Mississippi.

Civil rights–focused law students in the U.S. can receive up to US $3,000 to support their legal education and public interest commitment, including work relevant to Mississippi communities. William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law awards this annual scholarship to third-year students showing scholastic merit and dedication to advancing civil rights and civil liberties.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights and related community services in Mississippi may be eligible for multi-year support to advance philanthropic programs. Adient Foundation supports civil rights and other charitable initiatives across the U.S., evaluating applicants on organizational capacity, community relationships, and commitment to equal opportunity objectives.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights and related community services in Mississippi can seek flexible program or project support through the Adient Foundation. The foundation funds a wide range of charitable initiatives across the U.S., and Mississippi civil rights groups may be eligible for one-time grants or renewals based on annual review.

Researchers studying community-led development and civil rights–related issues in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the U.S., including Mississippi, 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 topics that collaborate with community-based organizations.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights, LGBTQIA2S+ support, displaced people, immigrant communities, or mental health in Mississippi can apply for the Looking Out Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000 for social justice and humanitarian programs. Organizations serving disadvantaged youth, women, the arts, and unhoused or food-insecure people may also be eligible.

Grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups in Mississippi led by formerly incarcerated or directly impacted people can seek rapid-response funding for civil rights and criminal justice work. Focused on urgent movement-building, Circle for Justice Innovations supports efforts opposing criminalization, defending protest and mutual aid, and advancing restorative and transformative justice with grants up to US $7,500.

Individuals, agencies, and similar organizations in Mississippi 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 addressing civil rights, feminism, identity, and social, political, or economic justice may be especially appropriate.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights and government accountability, including those serving Mississippi, can seek one-year funding to defend basic freedoms and combat discrimination. With a mission to protect basic freedoms, Herb Block Foundation provides U.S. nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $25,000 for charitable and educational programs addressing these issues.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights, civic engagement, education policy, or related initiatives, including those serving Mississippi, may be eligible for support for programs rather than overhead. Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation backs efforts that strengthen constitutional principles, free markets, civil society institutions, and the formation of informed, self-governing citizens.

Nonprofit schools, parks departments, community organizations, and amateur leagues in Mississippi can receive support to run structured sports programs for girls ages 11–18. Women’s Sports Foundation provides funding for coaching, equipment, transportation, facilities, and team activities for programs serving predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Native American girls, which may advance civil rights and equity in access to sports.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and aspiring 501(c)(3) local news organizations serving state, metro, or community audiences in the U.S., including Mississippi, can receive funding to build sustainable business and revenue capacity. American Journalism Project provides venture-style support, coaching, and training, prioritizing outlets advancing public-service journalism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and civil and human rights–focused coverage.

Education unions and affiliates working on racial justice in schools, including in Mississippi, can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant to support awareness, capacity-building, and action projects. Grants range from US $5,000 - US $75,000 for initiatives advancing racial equity, leadership of people of color, and organizational transformation.

Organizations or individuals improving civil or criminal justice systems in Mississippi can receive US $15,000 awards recognizing proven, innovative programs. The Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides U.S. justice reform, crime prevention, child protection, and victims’ rights efforts with national recognition, a medal, certificate, and an expenses-paid trip to the Atlanta awards banquet.

Mississippi 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 youth-focused civil rights education, anti-racism and anti-bullying dialogue, and encouraging students to walk, bike, or roll to school on or around November 14, 2026.

Nonprofit public charities working on democracy, civil liberties, and gun violence prevention across multiple U.S. states can apply for the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund’s invitation-only support. National or multi-state initiatives that protect voting rights, reduce money in politics, or strengthen gun violence policy and education may be eligible, including organizations serving Mississippi.

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 Wolcott Family Foundation focuses on funding grassroots organizations that drive social change and environmental stewardship. They prioritize support for projects that empower communities, strengthen civil liberties, and address ecological challenges. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations in Colorado classified under section 501(c)(3), with grants awarded for one year. The foundation values projects emphasizing environmental preservation and community involvement aimed at tackling societal issues.

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.