Best Civil Rights Grants in New Mexico

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.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights and related civic or educational initiatives, including those serving New Mexico, may be eligible for support for programs and projects (excluding overhead). Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation funds efforts advancing constitutional liberties, free markets, civil society institutions, and informed citizenship.

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.

Nonprofit fair housing enforcement organizations in New Mexico can seek US $250,000 - US $500,000 to investigate and challenge discriminatory housing practices through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program Private Enforcement Initiative. Grants from US HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity support testing, enforcement, and related civil rights activities under federal, state, or local fair housing laws.

With a mission to advance racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, Proteus Fund provides U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities and fiscally sponsored projects with general operating support to build BAMEMSA community power. New Mexico civil rights and immigrant- or refugee-focused groups working with BAMEMSA communities may be eligible for up to US $25,000 in flexible funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights, government accountability, and related basic freedoms can seek one-year project support, including in New Mexico. With a mission to defend basic freedoms and combat discrimination, Herb Block Foundation provides U.S. nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $25,000 for charitable and educational programs.

Individuals, agencies, and similar entities in New Mexico exploring civility, civil discourse, and civil practices can apply for GriffinHarte Foundation’s grants, awarding up to US $1,000 for related research, scholarship, and educational projects. Civil rights organizations focused on fairness, equity, identity, and social and economic justice may be especially well-suited.

Law students committed to civil rights and civil liberties in the U.S. can receive up to US $3,000 to support their legal education through this annual scholarship. William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law awards it to third-year students demonstrating strong scholastic merit and leadership; New Mexico students at eligible institutions may benefit.

Grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups in New Mexico 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 and incarceration, protecting protest and mutual aid, and advancing restorative and transformative justice, with grants up to US $7,500.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights, LGBTQIA2S+ support, disadvantaged youth, public health, women’s issues, the arts, hunger, or homelessness can apply for the Looking Out Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $25,000 for program support. New Mexico organizations serving displaced people, trans and gender expansive communities, or mental health needs may be especially competitive.

Researchers studying community-led development and civil rights–related issues in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the U.S., including New Mexico, can receive US $20,000 fellowships to conduct rigorous, field-based studies. Social Science Research Council and the Inter-American Foundation support projects on topics like social inclusion, violence prevention, migration, sustainable agriculture, and community philanthropy.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights and related community services in New Mexico can access funding via Adient Foundation. This U.S. funder supports a range of philanthropic programs, including civil rights, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. Most awards are one-time grants, with past recipients required to reapply for renewed support.

Nonprofit organizations working on civil rights and related community services in New Mexico may be eligible for multi-year AFI Grants supporting philanthropic programs. Adient Foundation funds U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations across areas including civil rights, diversity and inclusion, education, health, arts, and human services, based on organizational capacity, community relationships, and equal opportunity objectives.

Nonprofit arts groups and individual artists creating environmental, climate-focused, or social justice art projects in New Mexico can apply for support through the Puffin Foundation’s Environmental Artistic Activism program. With a mission to expand access to progressive arts, Puffin prioritizes U.S.-based, solution-focused projects and may support civil rights-related artistic activism.

Nonprofit public charities with 501(c)(3) status working on national democracy and civil liberties initiatives can apply for invitation-only support from the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund. Projects must operate across the U.S. rather than in a single city or state, and may include voting rights, money-in-politics reform, or gun violence prevention efforts.

New Mexico local governments, public schools, 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 promoting civil rights, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and walking or rolling to school on or around November 14, 2026.

State and local education affiliates advancing racial justice in schools can apply for the CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, with awards from US $5,000 - US $75,000. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization help New Mexico civil rights and education advocates build awareness, leadership of people of color, multiracial solidarity, and equitable organizational change.

Nonprofit or aspiring 501(c)(3) local news organizations serving state, metro, or community audiences can receive funding to build sustainable business capacity and operations in New Mexico and nationwide. American Journalism Project provides support for digital newsrooms whose public-service journalism is free to the public and grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and financial transparency.

Nonprofit schools, parks departments, amateur leagues, and youth organizations in New Mexico and nationwide can receive funding to run structured sports programs for girls ages 11–18. Women’s Sports Foundation provides support for programs serving predominantly Black, Hispanic, African-American, and Native American girls, covering costs like coaching, equipment, transportation, facilities, and team-building activities to expand equitable sports access.

Organizations and individuals improving civil or criminal justice systems in New Mexico can receive recognition awards supporting proven, innovative programs. Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides U.S. justice reform leaders with a Paul H. Chapman Medal, US $15,000, a framed certificate, and an expenses-paid trip to the awards banquet in Atlanta; nominations are accepted year-round.

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.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.