Best Social Justice Grants in Montana

Social Justice Fund Northwest- Sponsorship

At Social Justice Fund Northwest (SJF), we utilize sponsorships as a way of building bridges. Our sponsorships are only available to recent and current SJF grantees (within the past two years) in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. We hope that organizations utilize this resource to fund their most ambitious, innovative projects that are often not supported by other funders.

Overview

Grant Awards: One-year sponsorship of $1,000

Focus:

• Ambitious and innovative projects that are often not supported by other funders in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and/or Wyoming.

Montana social justice and human rights organizations working on carceral systems, criminalization, or justice reform can access funding through Social Justice Fund Northwest. 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) groups, tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored projects across the five-state region may receive US $25,000, with priority for BIPOC-led, rural, reservation-based, and smaller-budget organizations.

Grassroots, BIPOC-led community organizing groups in Montana and the broader five-state region can seek funding to challenge carceral systems, advance abolition or reform, and build alternative justice solutions. Focus areas include ending racialized criminalization, youth incarceration, immigrant detention, and related systems impacting low-income communities, with grants up to US $25,000 from Social Justice Fund Northwest.

Grassroots social justice, community, or arts organizations in Montana can seek sponsorships to support public events and ambitious projects. Social Justice Fund Northwest supports social justice and human rights work in its five-state region by funding fundraisers, cultural gatherings, and collective action events; recent or current grantees may be especially eligible for this US $1,000 opportunity.

With a mission to advance grassroots social justice organizing, Social Justice Fund Northwest provides Montana nonprofits and tribal agencies with one-year, US $10,000 general operating grants. 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored groups organizing around urgent and emerging needs in Montana and neighboring states may be eligible.

Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing social justice, civic engagement, climate solutions, conservation, local food systems, or sustainable economic development can receive general operating support through the High Stakes Foundation. Grants back charitable, educational, or scientific work, with a required letter of inquiry and ongoing financial and narrative reporting for funded organizations.

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 ISF Narrative Film Grant, established by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, supports emerging Muslim filmmakers by providing funding for narrative films in production or post-production stages. With a focus on compelling storytelling and positive portrayals of the Muslim community, the grant offers mentorship and networking opportunities to enhance the filmmakers' projects. Since its inception in 2014, it has awarded $625,000 to over 111 filmmakers, promoting diverse narratives that resonate with audiences.

The AES Hawaiʻi Foundation Grant supports communities near AES Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy projects, focusing on social justice, education, environmental stewardship, and community health. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations in these areas, but statewide entities may also apply. Successful projects should align with the Foundation’s impact pillars, demonstrate measurable community benefits, and address unmet needs, ensuring long-term positive effects on the local community.

The WWT Foundation Grant aims to empower organizations aligned with the foundation's values, focusing on community service, employee engagement, and business impact. Key areas of support include career readiness, STEM education, human services, and health and wellness. Eligible organizations must be located in the U.S. and registered as 501(c)(3). Applications are accepted year-round, allowing for flexible engagement and support for impactful community initiatives.

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.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on social change, civil rights, or environmental stewardship in Montana can apply for Wolcott Family Foundation grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000. Nationally, organizations with budgets under $350,000 may seek one-year general operating or project support, with a preference for Colorado-based groups and grassroots community efforts.

Montana social justice and human rights educators or emerging leaders can apply for the Edmonds Summer Fellowship, which offers US $1,500 for hands-on leadership experience in human rights education. Focused on civic leadership development, this Center for Transformative Action opportunity supports U.S.-based fellows 18+ committed to HRE USA’s mission and available 100 hours over the summer.

Nonprofit organizations advancing human rights, women’s and girls’ empowerment, or LGBTQ+ causes in Montana and across the U.S. can access capacity-building support through the Alexandra Hallock Capacity Building Grant for Small Nonprofits. Cause Strategy Partners provides a one-time US $20,000 unrestricted grant plus pro bono consulting, governance resources, and board development tools for small 501(c)(3)s.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on voter education, mobilization, and election integrity in the U.S., including Montana, can seek support for year-round civic engagement efforts. Focused on civic participation, Park Foundation backs state and national groups expanding the franchise and combating suppression, which may benefit social justice and human rights initiatives.

Youth changemakers ages 13–23 in Montana leading kindness-centered social justice or community projects can apply for Riley's Way Foundation’s Call for Kindness Fellowship, which awards up to US $5,000 for project expenses. Funding supports youth-led initiatives addressing issues like environmental justice, food insecurity, homelessness, education equity, or LGBTQIA+ rights through empathy and connection.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects with statewide or multi-region reach can seek support for empathy-building work, including storytelling, animal connection, and social-emotional learning. Acton Family Giving provides funding nationally, so Montana social justice and human rights organizations may be eligible if they align with the Empathy Building Initiative’s priorities.

The De Colores Rapid Response Fund, established by the Peace Development Fund, aims to provide swift financial support to grassroots organizing efforts in marginalized communities, particularly focusing on communities of color and low-income individuals. Inspired by the traditional Mexican song that symbolizes diversity and solidarity, this fund seeks to create impactful opportunities for strategic interventions in urgent social situations. Grants are available for projects under $5,000 that align with these goals.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions conducting social science dissertation research on social justice, inequality, work, or immigration topics can access funding through the Russell Sage Foundation for data collection, preparation, analysis, and writing. Projects must focus on improving social and living conditions in the U.S., and Montana-focused studies may be eligible if they meet these priorities.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, inequality, and related social justice issues can apply for US $35,000 - US $50,000 in Pipeline Grants from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on economic mobility and systemic barriers, this program supports one-year projects and prioritizes underrepresented scholars, including those in Montana, working on social and living conditions in the U.S.

Montana local governments, public schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and community partners 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 promoting activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and walking, biking, or rolling to school, with priority for first-time, middle and high school celebrations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice or education in Montana can seek support for forward-thinking programs through the Baskin Family Foundation. Grants from this U.S.-wide funder may benefit Montana groups advancing human rights, equity, and educational opportunity within their communities.

Graduate students from Kauai pursuing full-time master’s or doctoral degrees in social justice, public or human service, education, or health may be eligible for the Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund. Focused on these fields, Hawai'i Community Foundation invites applicants who are Hawaii residents with financial need and strong academics; Montana social justice organizations may know qualifying students with local ties.

Education unions and affiliates working on racial justice initiatives in Montana can apply for the National Education Association Staff Organization’s CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, awarding US $5,000 - US $75,000. Grants support awareness, capacity-building, and action projects that advance racial equity, develop leaders of color, and transform organizational policies and practices.

Montana education-focused unions or affiliates working on K–12 student achievement and racial justice initiatives can seek support for community advocacy and partnership projects. With a mission to strengthen educational equity, National Education Association provides funding to mobilize community organizations and leaders, engage trained member-activists, and build union roles that deepen social justice and parent/community engagement in schools.

The Aspiring Educators CREATE Grants, funded by the National Education Association Staff Organization, offer up to $2000 to strengthen the AE Program and foster impactful partnerships. Grants focus on areas such as Educator Quality, Community Engagement, Political Action, and Social Justice. Eligible organizations include state AE chapters, and submissions are accepted three times a year. This initiative encourages aspiring educators to develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships provide recent humanities PhDs with the opportunity to work with nonprofit organizations focused on social justice. Over 24 months, fellows receive a stipend of $70,000 in the first year and $72,000 in the second, along with relocation funds and health insurance. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all eligible scholars to enhance their professional skills in meaningful roles.