Best Civil Rights Grants in Ohio

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio focused on community organizing for social, racial, economic justice and civil and human rights can seek general support from the Abelard Foundation. Focused on grassroots progressive social change, Abelard Foundation invites smaller, early-stage groups with local leadership and budgets under $350,000 to apply for approximately US $12,000 grants.

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.

Nonprofit fair housing enforcement organizations in Ohio can seek US $250,000 - US $500,000 to investigate and enforce fair housing laws, including through testing and case development. Grants from US HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity support private enforcement efforts that protect civil rights in housing within a nationwide network of eligible groups.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities and fiscally sponsored projects rooted in BAMEMSA communities can seek up to US $25,000 in general operating support to build community power and advance civil and human rights, including in Ohio. With a mission to advance justice, Proteus Fund supports organizing, advocacy, civic engagement, and narrative change efforts.

Law students committed to civil rights and civil liberties work in the U.S., including those from Ohio, can receive up to US $3,000 to support their legal education and public interest focus. The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law awards this annual scholarship to a third-year student demonstrating strong scholastic merit and leadership.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights and related community services in Ohio may be eligible for multi-year support that complements public funding. Adient Foundation supports civil rights initiatives in the U.S. by backing soundly managed organizations with strong community relationships and management capacity, including prior grantees who reapply through the regular process.

Adient Foundation provides Ohio civil rights and social service nonprofits with one-time grants supporting charitable programs and operations. U.S.-based, tax-exempt organizations working on civil rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, community services, education, or related initiatives may be eligible to apply, with renewals considered through the standard annual application process.

Researchers studying community-led development and civil rights–related issues in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the U.S., including Ohio, can receive US $20,000 fellowships for rigorous, field-based projects. The Social Science Research Council and Inter-American Foundation support work on social inclusion, violence prevention, migration, economic opportunity, and related topics in partnership with community-based organizations.

501(c)(3) public charities working on civil rights, LGBTQIA2S+ support, displaced people, immigrant communities, or mental health in Ohio can apply for the Looking Out Foundation’s grants, which typically range from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Funding supports social justice and humanitarian programs, including services for disadvantaged youth, women, the unhoused, and those facing food insecurity.

Grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio led by formerly incarcerated or directly impacted people can seek rapid-response funding for movement-building against criminalization, surveillance, and incarceration. Focused on civil rights and criminal justice reform, Circle for Justice Innovations offers up to US $7,500 for urgent campaigns, protests, mutual aid defense, and healing-centered organizing.

Individuals, agencies, and similar organizations in Ohio 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 relevant.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights, government accountability, or combating discrimination can seek one-year project support, including in Ohio. With a mission to defend basic freedoms and improve conditions for the underprivileged, Herb Block Foundation provides nationwide grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000 for charitable and educational programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on civil rights, civic engagement, education, or related civil society issues in Ohio and nationwide can seek project funding to advance constitutional principles, free markets, and strong communities. The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation accepts letters of inquiry and proposals on an ongoing basis, with its board reviewing requests quarterly.

Nonprofit schools, parks departments, community organizations, and amateur leagues in Ohio that run structured sports programs for girls ages 11–18 may be eligible for Women’s Sports Foundation’s Sports 4 Life grants. Funding supports coaching, curriculum, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facilities, tournaments, and team-building for programs serving predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Native American girls, which can advance civil rights and equity in sports access.

Nonprofit or aspiring 501(c)(3) local news organizations in Ohio can receive funding to build sustainable business capacity and serve community information needs. American Journalism Project provides support for digital newsrooms focused on free, independent public-service journalism, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and advancing human and civil rights in local coverage.

State and local education affiliates in Ohio working on racial justice in K–12 education 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 support projects that advance racial equity, build leadership of people of color, and strengthen multiracial solidarity and organizational change.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Ohio working on intellectual freedom and civil discourse, rare diseases, Jewish heritage, elder care, or climate change may be eligible for program support. The Mike & Sofia Segal Foundation funds innovative, well-planned projects with clear beneficiaries, measurable objectives, and realistic budgets that align with its mission and priorities.

Ohio organizations and individuals improving civil or criminal justice systems can receive US $15,000 awards recognizing proven, innovative programs. Foundation for Improvement of Justice provides Ohio civil rights and justice advocates with national recognition, a medal, framed certificate, and an expenses-paid trip to an awards banquet in Atlanta; nominations are accepted year-round from all 50 states and D.C.

Ohio 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 activities that promote civil rights dialogue, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and student walking, biking, or rolling to school on or around November 14, 2026.

Nonprofit public charities working on democracy, civil liberties, voting rights, money in politics, or gun violence prevention, including those serving Ohio as part of multi-state or national efforts, can apply for the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund’s invitation-only support. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry before being invited to a full proposal.

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 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.