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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.