Best Human Rights Grants in Pennsylvania

Nonprofit and charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) status serving low- and moderate-income communities can seek Huntington National Bank support for human rights and social equity programming, including in Pennsylvania. Focus areas include community services, affordable and supportive housing, economic and community development, and racial and social equity initiatives that improve self-sufficiency and quality of life.

Chester County Community Foundation

The Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with the causes that matter, so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever.

We are entrusted with 430+ family, individual, community group & nonprofit legacy funds. We are a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.  

Direct Service Programs/General Operations Grant

• Grants focus on Chester County causes & issues; but are not limited to Chester County.
• Charitable nonprofits working in all fields of interest are considered, such as: Arts, Culture, Heritage; Education, Libraries; Environment, Animals; Health; Human Services; Social Justice, Civic Engagement
• General operating grants are encouraged - Clear, succinct, compelling descriptions are appreciated: mission, aims, results & impact. 
• Nonprofits with higher GuideStar ratings receive stronger consideration.  
• Proposals can be submitted anytime all year.
• Grant decisions are made intermittently all year, as Fund Advisors desire.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations using community organizing to advance social justice and human rights in Pennsylvania and other states east of the Mississippi can seek general support grants of approximately US $12,000. Focused on grassroots leadership and progressive social change, Abelard Foundation prioritizes smaller, early-stage groups with budgets under $350,000.

Eligible faculty at Penn State, PASSHE universities, and University of Pittsburgh regional campuses in Pennsylvania can apply for Center for Rural Pennsylvania grants up to Up to US $60,000 to conduct rural-focused research. Projects may address social justice and human rights in rural communities, alongside topics like economic development, health, governance, and community services.

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 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.

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.

Doctoral students at U.S. institutions researching social justice, human rights, inequality, immigration, or related social science topics can receive up to US $15,000 for dissertation data collection, analysis, and writing. Pennsylvania-based scholars whose work addresses U.S. social and living conditions may access this Russell Sage Foundation support, with priority for underrepresented researchers and employment-related studies affecting BIPOC communities.

Early-career social science faculty researching U.S. economic mobility and systemic inequality can receive US $35,000 - US $50,000 project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on issues like income, wealth, labor markets, criminal justice, immigration, and educational equity, it invites Pennsylvania and other U.S.-based scholars whose work advances social justice and human rights.

Pennsylvania 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 activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and walking or rolling to school, benefiting human rights and social justice education.

501(c)(3) organizations working on social justice and human rights in Pennsylvania can seek support for education and related initiatives. Baskin Family Foundation supports forward-thinking programs across the U.S., so Pennsylvania nonprofits advancing human rights and educational equity may be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

Graduate students pursuing degrees in social justice, public or human service, education, or health can apply for the Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund, administered by Hawai'i Community Foundation. Eligible applicants must be full-time Kauai residents in Hawaii with financial need and strong academics; Pennsylvania human rights advocates pursuing such studies may be originally from Kauai and thus eligible.

Education-focused organizations and NEA affiliates working on racial justice initiatives in K–12 settings, including those in Pennsylvania, can apply for US $5,000 - US $75,000 to advance awareness, capacity-building, and action. Grants from National Education Association Staff Organization support projects that address racial equity, develop leaders of color, and build multiracial solidarity and organizational change.

Education-focused unions and affiliates working to advance racial and social justice in Pennsylvania schools can seek funding to strengthen community advocacy, partnerships, and student achievement initiatives. With a mission to support leadership-driven organizing, National Education Association Staff Organization provides support for projects engaging trained NEA leaders, building union roles for parent and community engagement, and promoting racial justice in education.

State Aspiring Educators organizations and campus chapters in Pennsylvania can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CREATE grants, with awards up to US $2,000 for projects that strengthen AE programs and partnerships. Funding can support educator quality, community engagement, political action, or social justice initiatives within the education system.

Education union affiliates working on student-centered advocacy and human rights issues in Pennsylvania can seek funding to design and implement student-focused initiatives through collective bargaining or other advocacy. The National Education Association offers up to US $50,000 to support projects advancing social justice, educational equity, and improved learning conditions for students and educators.

Pennsylvania human rights and social justice nonprofits focused on advocacy, mobilization, or healing work can access flexible operating support through the Social Justice Fund’s invitation-only General Support Grant. Allegheny County organizations addressing injustices in economically underserved communities, especially those led by directly impacted residents, may be eligible for one-year renewable funding plus capacity-building opportunities.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S. can receive more than US $142,000 to work with social justice–oriented nonprofits, including those in Pennsylvania. American Council of Learned Societies’ Leading Edge Fellowships support 24‑month placements that use advanced research, communication, and project management skills to advance human rights and equity initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public agencies, tribal entities, and schools addressing community development needs in Pennsylvania can seek event sponsorship and charitable support from Santander Bank Foundation. Funding may assist low- to moderate-income communities with economic mobility, financial education, workforce development, youth development, and related social justice and human rights programs within Santander’s Pennsylvania retail banking footprint.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible public institutions working on social justice, human rights, STEM education, or basic needs may be eligible for support, including human rights initiatives. The American Electric Power Foundation funds organizations within its multi-state service territory or with broader regional or national reach that benefit the public and AEP customers.

Pennsylvania human rights and legal services nonprofits working on social justice, rehabilitation, or anti-recidivism may be eligible for the Indigo Oak Fund’s Equal Justice Under the Law grants. This Colorado-based private foundation generally funds in Colorado and the Bay Area but occasionally supports U.S. nonprofits elsewhere that advance fair justice, civic engagement, and related education programs.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups with budgets under $500,000 can access training and up to US $4,000 for organizational growth and fundraising capacity. Mockingbird Incubator’s eight-week cohort program supports emerging social justice and human rights leaders through workshops, campaign reviews, peer networking, and a chance at additional matching and seed funding after completion.

BIPOC-led, women’s, LGBTQIA+, disability, and other human rights nonprofits in Pennsylvania can receive support for social justice work, including general operations, advocacy, and capacity building. B.W. Bastian Foundation provides U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with US $100 - US $15,000, primarily for projects that explicitly affirm equality for all, including gay and lesbian communities.