Best Human Rights Grants in Texas

About

The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) is an Advisory Commission to the Texas Historical Commission (THC).

The THGAAC is composed of nine citizen members appointed by the governor to six-year terms. Commissioners and staff members connect with thousands of Texans each year by promoting public education and awareness of the Holocaust, other genocides, and antisemitism in Texas.

Our Mission

The mission of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission is to combat and confront hatred, prejudice, and indifference by educating all Texans about the Holocaust and other genocides in an effort to dismantle antisemitism and prevent future atrocities.

THGAAC Education Grant

The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) offers to fund a variety of programs through its THGAAC Education Grant program. These grant funds may be used for:

• Combating antisemitism and/or implementing Holocaust and genocide courses of study and awareness programs;
• Supporting volunteers who have agreed to share, in classrooms, seminars, exhibits, or workshops, their verifiable knowledge and experiences regarding the Holocaust or other genocides;
• Supporting events that memorialize the Holocaust and other genocides;
• Supporting events designed to enhance public awareness of the fight against antisemitism and continuing significance of the Holocaust and other genocides; and
• Supporting efforts to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

This grant is open to all permanent, non-profit institutions that are headquartered in the State of Texas.

Amounts up to $50,000.00 may be granted per project.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations seeking funding for social justice, human rights, and related community programs can apply for approximately US $10,000 grants supporting work in areas like education, health, and public benefit. The Alice E. and Joseph C. Blewett Foundation primarily favors organizations in and around Dallas, Texas.

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 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.

The Empathy Building Initiative, led by Acton Family Giving, seeks to foster partnerships with organizations aligned with its mission. While currently not expanding its portfolio, it invites inquiries from potential partners. Eligible organizations must hold 501(c)3 status and align with specific giving areas. The initiative focuses on a national or broad reach and evaluates grant applications based on alignment and conversation. For more details, potential partners are encouraged to review the grants list available on their website.

Nonprofit organizations advancing social and racial justice, educational programming, economic development, or capacity building in Texas—especially the South Dallas/Fair Park community—can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Grants from State Fair of Texas help groups serving ZIP codes 75210, 75215, 75223, 75228, and nearby areas strengthen local impact.

Nonprofit organizations advancing social and racial justice, education, economic development, or capacity building in South Dallas/Fair Park and nearby Dallas neighborhoods can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Focused on community impact, State Fair of Texas prioritizes groups collaborating with local entities within a ten-mile radius of Fair Park.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions conducting social science dissertation research on behavioral science, work, immigration, inequality, or related human rights issues can receive up to US $15,000 for data collection, analysis, and writing. Grants from Russell Sage Foundation help researchers, including those studying Texas or BIPOC communities, advance policy-relevant work on U.S. social conditions.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, opportunity, and systemic inequality can receive US $35,000 - US $50,000 for one-year projects through the Sheldon Danziger Pipeline Grants. Russell Sage Foundation supports work on income, wealth, criminal justice, immigration, education, labor markets, and related human rights issues, including scholars based in Texas.

Focused on youth-centered civil rights education, this mini-grant invites Texas schools, local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits to host Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events. Eligible partners can receive US $500 - US $1,000 to support activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying programming that encourages students to walk, bike, or roll to school.

501(c)(3) organizations working on education or social justice in Texas can apply for the Baskin Family Foundation’s national funding. Grants support forward-thinking programs that advance learning and human rights. Texas-based human rights nonprofits may be especially competitive if their work aligns with the foundation’s education and social justice priorities.

Kauai residents pursuing full-time master’s or doctoral degrees in social justice, public or human service, education, or health can apply for Hawai'i Community Foundation’s Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund. Eligible students must show financial need, meet GPA requirements, and may be Texas- or U.S.-based if attending mainland schools but remain Hawaii residents.

State and local education affiliates in Texas advancing racial justice and human rights in K–12 education can apply for the CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, with awards of US $5,000 - US $75,000 for one year. Administered by the National Education Association, it supports awareness, capacity-building, and action for racial and social justice in schools.

National Education Association Staff Organization provides Texas education and social justice groups with support to build partnerships that boost student achievement, especially for students of color. State and local affiliates working on racial justice in education, parent and community engagement, and leadership-based social justice advocacy may be eligible.

Texas aspiring educator organizations and campus chapters can seek funding for social justice and human rights projects that strengthen educator preparation and partnerships. Focus areas include educator quality, community engagement, political action, and social justice activism. Focused on these priorities, National Education Association Staff Organization invites eligible groups to apply for up to US $2,000, with three annual deadlines.

Education unions and NEA affiliates working on student-centered bargaining and advocacy in Texas can seek funding to advance social justice, human rights, and equitable K–12 education initiatives. With a mission to strengthen student-centered union advocacy, National Education Association provides affiliates with up to US $50,000 to support organizing, policy change, and campaigns for safe, healthy, and equitable schools.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S., including Texas-based scholars, can apply for ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships supporting social justice work with nonprofits. Focused on social justice and human rights, the American Council of Learned Societies offers more than US $142,000 over two years plus benefits and relocation support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible public entities working on social justice, human rights, STEM education, or basic needs may be eligible for national support, including Texas, from the American Electric Power Foundation. Grants can fund programs advancing equity, hunger and housing services, education from early childhood through higher education, and related community initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations advancing social justice and human rights in Texas can seek support for fairness in the justice system, legal services, and reentry or juvenile justice programs. With a mission to recognize and advance individual potential, Andrus Family Foundation provides funding that may benefit civic engagement and legal education efforts connected to equal justice under the law.

Texas social justice and human rights nonprofits with U.S.-incorporated 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship and budgets under $500,000 can access capacity-building support and up to US $4,000 in funding. Through the Mockingbird Incubator Nonprofit Incubator Program, selected founders receive an eight-week training cohort, fundraising tools via Givebutter, and potential seed and matching funds.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations advancing human rights and equality, including LGBTQ+ rights, can request US $100 - US $15,000 for general operating support, projects, advocacy, or capacity building. Focused on social justice and equality, B.W. Bastian Foundation primarily funds in the Intermountain West but also supports U.S. projects with national scope, which may include Texas-based efforts.

Resist.

In 1967, Resist emerged out of the resistance to the Vietnam War and evolved to support the visionary frontline groups that are resisting, re-imagining, and transforming their communities for a more just and liberated world.

Resist is a foundation that supports people’s movements for justice and liberation. We redistribute resources back to frontline communities at the forefront of change while amplifying their stories of building a better world.

Our grant-making: Throughout this history, Resist has provided critical early funding to some of the most influential progressive organizations in the U.S. In total, Resist has granted more than $12 million to over 6,000 dedicated groups across the United States.

Urgent Action Fund

The 2026 Urgent Action Fund resources organizations with urgent projects or requests that include, but are not limited to, events, direct actions, accessibility, and mutual aid. Applications will open on the last Monday and close the following Friday of each month until cap has been reached. Projects that reflect escalated resistance, campaigns, events, projects or programmatic work will be prioritized.

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 Baugh Foundation supports progressive, inclusive, nonprofit organizations that reflect the love of Christ by providing assistance to those in need, enriching the lives of children and youth, keeping faith communities informed and engaged, and guarding the wall of separation between church and state.We welcome applications from progressive, faith-based organizations. At this time, the vast majority of our funding goes to progressive Baptist organizations or initiatives, and organizations that work to guard the separation of church and state. We believe that a free church in a free state is dependent upon a functioning democracy.Funding Priorities: 

• Social justice and advocacy
• Progressive faith-based journalism
• Meeting basic human needs
• Progressive faith-based post-secondary education
• Inclusivity initiatives
• Arts and enrichment