Best Human Rights Grants in Texas

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.

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 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.

Researchers focused on community-led human rights and social justice issues in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the U.S. can receive US $20,000 fellowships to conduct rigorous, field-based studies. Grants from Social Science Research Council help Texas human rights scholars examine topics like migration, social inclusion, disaster resilience, violence prevention, and sustainable development in partnership with community organizations.

Texas human rights and social justice nonprofits with budgets under $1 million can access funding through Arch Community Fund for transformative organizing and systemic change work. U.S.-based 501(c)(3)s and fiscally sponsored projects advancing resistance, community leadership, anti-capitalist solutions, and intersectionality may receive US $15,000 - US $30,000 in general operating support.

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.

The Freedom Shield initiative aims to prohibit imports made with forced labor by awarding $18 million in cooperative agreements for technical assistance projects. The objective is to enhance accountability in key trade partner countries and enforce labor commitments outlined in trade agreements. With potential funding of up to $11 million for projects in four Latin American countries and $7 million for two Asian countries, this initiative addresses enforcement gaps that undermine fair competition for U.S. workers.

Grants from Proteus Fund help Texas social justice and human rights nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects with general operating support for BAMEMSA community power-building work. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations rooted in Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian communities may be eligible for awards up to US $25,000.

Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Theresa Earenfight Scholarship

The purpose of the Theresa Earenfight Scholarship is to support undergrad or graduate students who are passionate about the intersection of social justice and animal welfare within a historical context. Applicants should be studying history, in particular how history intersects with animal activism, animal rights, animal liberation, and other related topics. Preference will be given to students with strong financial need, students of color and those from historically marginalized communities, and/or students who may face barriers to receiving other scholarships. This is a $10,000 annual scholarship renewable through the completion of the student’s degree, assuming the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarship may be applied to tuition and fees, or other academic expenses payable to the college or university.