Best Social Justice Grants in Indiana

Indiana community organizing groups focused on social justice and democracy can access general operating support through the Needmor Fund for Social Justice’s Core Grants Program. Organizations building power among low- and moderate-income communities in the Midwest, including Indiana, and using direct action with a multi-issue, intersectional agenda may be eligible.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) status serving Indiana communities can seek Huntington National Bank’s support for community revitalization, services, affordable housing, and economic development programs. Focused on strengthening low- and moderate-income communities and advancing racial and social equity, this invitation-only funding may benefit Indiana groups working on social justice and human rights initiatives.

Indiana social justice and community-based organizations can seek US $5,000 - US $100,000 for climate, democracy, and environmental justice movement building. Focused on frontline, BIPOC-led, LGBTQ+ led, tribal, and rural groups, Central Indiana Community Foundation backs capacity, infrastructure, and storytelling that elevate community voice and measurable outcomes.

Indiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on community organizing for social, racial, or economic justice can seek approximately US $12,000 in mostly general support grants. Focused on grassroots progressive social change, Abelard Foundation prioritizes small, local groups east of the Mississippi working with low-income communities, immigrants, workers, and other disenfranchised constituencies.

The Richard L and Freda K Flerlage Foundation

Our Mission

Working to empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,800.

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.

Youth leaders ages 13–23 in Indiana running social justice or community impact projects can apply for Riley's Way Foundation’s Call for Kindness Fellowship, with startup grants up to US $5,000. Funding supports youth-led initiatives addressing issues like food insecurity, homelessness, education equity, environmental justice, and LGBTQIA+ rights through kindness and connection.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored projects with national or broad multi-region reach can receive support for empathy-building work, including storytelling, animal connection, and social-emotional development. Acton Family Giving provides U.S. social justice and human rights groups, including those serving Indiana, with invitation-based grants evaluated individually for alignment with its Empathy Building Initiative.

Indiana doctoral students in U.S.-based PhD programs whose dissertations address social science questions can receive up to US $15,000 for data collection, analysis, and writing. Indiana social justice and human rights researchers may be eligible if projects fit Russell Sage Foundation priorities like inequality, work, race, ethnicity, immigration, or educational equity.

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 and social inequality, the program supports one-year projects using diverse methods and data, including work by scholars in Indiana and other under-resourced institutions.

Indiana local governments, public schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply for Safe Routes to School National Parternship’s Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant, awarding US $500 - US $1,000 for student-focused events. Funding supports November 2026 activities that promote activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and walking or rolling to school, especially first-time, middle, and high school celebrations.

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

Graduate students focused on social justice, public or human service, education, or health can receive scholarship support through Hawai'i Community Foundation’s Inspired to Serve Scholarship Fund. Focused on advanced degrees for Kauai residents with financial need, Indiana social justice organizations may know eligible students with ties to Hawaii pursuing full-time master’s or doctoral studies.

State and local education affiliates working on racial and social justice in schools, including Indiana, can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $75,000 for one-year or multi-year projects. Grants support awareness, capacity-building, leadership development for people of color, and organizational change for racial equity.

Indiana education-focused organizations and NEA affiliates working on K–12 student achievement and racial justice in education can seek partnership funding to build community advocacy and engagement. With a mission to strengthen public education, National Education Association provides support for initiatives in social justice, parental involvement, and leadership-based organizing that advance equity for students of color.

State Aspiring Educators organizations and campus chapters in Indiana can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CREATE grants, awarding up to US $2,000 for projects. Funding supports educator quality, community engagement, political action, or social justice initiatives that strengthen AE programs and partnerships, with submission deadlines three times each year.

Teacher, education support professional, and higher education staff affiliates in Indiana can seek funding to design and implement student-centered bargaining and advocacy initiatives. National Education Association supports projects that unite educators and communities, promote social justice, influence board policies, and advance equitable, safe, and healthy learning environments, with awards up to US $50,000.

Recent humanities or interpretive social science PhDs authorized to work in the U.S. can receive more than US $142,000 in fellowship support for social justice work with nonprofits, including in Indiana. American Council of Learned Societies places fellows in community-based organizations for 24 months, providing stipends, health insurance, relocation assistance for in-person roles, and professional development funding.

Indiana 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and qualifying foundations can seek funding for social justice, STEM education, and basic needs programs that serve communities in the AEP service territory. Indiana social justice and human rights organizations may be eligible, but must first secure an invitation to apply from their local AEP operating company.

Indiana social justice and legal services nonprofits working on fair justice, rehabilitation, or anti-recidivism programs can access funding through Indigo Oak Fund’s Equal Justice Under the Law program. The Colorado-based foundation generally supports organizations in Colorado and the Bay Area but may consider U.S. nonprofits elsewhere whose work advances equal justice and civic engagement.

Indiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups with budgets under $500,000 can access training and up to US $4,000 to strengthen organizational capacity and fundraising. Mockingbird Incubator supports an eight-week cohort program plus seed and matching grant opportunities, which may benefit emerging social justice and human rights organizations seeking sustainable growth.

Youth-focused organizations advancing social justice, equity, and youth leadership can apply for up to US $20,000 to support youth civic engagement and leadership development in select counties, including Lake and Newton in Indiana. Grants from Bright Promises Foundation back programs promoting fairness, access, inclusion, and resiliency for young people as change agents.

The B.W. Bastian Foundation Grant supports organizations committed to equality for all Americans, including the LGBTQ+ community. Grants typically range from $100 to $15,000, and applicants must have 501(C)3 tax status. Funding is primarily for projects in the Intermountain West and may include general operating support or specific programs. Organizations should first inquire before applying, especially if requesting more than previous grants. The foundation does not fund individuals or lobbying efforts.

The IAF Research Fellowship Program, administered by the Social Science Research Council, aims to support rigorous research on community-led development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend for twelve months, fostering innovative solutions to pressing issues such as economic opportunity, migration, and social inclusion. Researchers are encouraged to explore how community-led models can create lasting impacts and respond to global trends, enhancing local resilience and development.

The Transformative Organizing Grants, funded by the Arch Community Fund, aim to bolster grassroots movements advocating for systemic change. These grants, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, prioritize organizations with 501(c)(3) status and an annual budget under $1 million. The focus is on empowering community leadership through anti-capitalist solutions, promoting intersectionality, and addressing immediate needs while fostering long-term structural change. Eligible groups are encouraged to apply for support in their transformative organizing efforts.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Civics Education Grant

The Civics Grant Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that promote a wider public understanding of democratic principles, the judicial system and the rule of law. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity), and other organizations to develop and support projects in their communities that foster public understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, particularly among younger Americans.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.