Best Civil Rights Grants in New Jersey

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a Princeton, New Jersey-based endowment fund providing grants to individuals, young adults who volunteer or intern for progressive social action projects or programs in an area of their interest and commitment. The Amy Adina Fund also sponsors a lecture each year on a relevant and timely topic related to its educational mission.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund was started in 1987 one year after Amy Adina, 20, died suddenly while a student and activist at Rutgers University. It is a realization of her family and her communities’ desire to celebrate her life, to fulfill her dreams and her potential. Since its inception, almost 1,500 grants have been awarded for work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States—nearly $1,000,000 in total. The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

About Our Grants

Small grants (depending on length of service), are awarded to as many applicants as possible rather than giving larger amounts to fewer individuals. The number of awards has grown each year thanks to annual contributions as well as to gifts sent to the Fund to honor special occasions and life cycle events.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, or health and human services can seek monetary program funding through Costco Foundation. Focused on community impact, the foundation looks for documented needs, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and diversified financial support. Civil rights organizations serving children or providing related human services may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations developing innovative human and social service solutions, including those addressing civil rights issues in New Jersey, may be eligible for this opportunity. Grants from Creag Foundation help smaller or evolving programs test new approaches to social problems; funding is by invitation only, but qualified groups can submit a letter of inquiry.

With a mission to support early-stage social impact ventures, nonprofits and impact-first for-profits in New Jersey and other priority regions can receive up to US $300,000 from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation for scalable solutions benefiting underserved communities. Organizations working on civil rights, social justice, or related systemic issues may be especially competitive.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in the U.S. offering arts, science, or arts education programs can seek more than US $100,000 for program, capital, or limited general support, including work in New Jersey. William Randolph Hearst Foundation prioritizes large, well-established organizations engaging youth, developing artistic talent, or providing STEAM-focused education, which may include civil rights-focused cultural programming.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including those in New Jersey, can apply for Labcorp Charitable Foundation grants to support health and welfare, education, or community initiatives. Funding may benefit civil rights-focused groups that provide healthcare and patient services for underserved populations, support food pantries and meal programs, or offer STEM and healthy-lifestyle programming in their communities.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

New Jersey accredited charities running humanitarian, social development, education, community, environmental, or contemporary arts projects can access funding through Roche, supporting high-quality, sustainable initiatives. Programs must operate in the same country as the local Roche affiliate and allow active collaboration with Roche’s expertise, logistics, local authorities, and employees.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on civil rights or related charitable, educational, scientific, or medical programs can access funding through Sidney Stern Memorial Trust for work carried out in the U.S. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under federal law, with funds used domestically to benefit broad target populations and general welfare.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on community development, basic needs, workforce readiness, arts, environment, or inclusion can access funding through Bank of America Foundation’s sponsorship program. Grants support economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities, which may benefit organizations advancing civil rights and equity-focused initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations and government units in Morris County that provide public arts programs can apply for grants supporting general operations, special projects, or mini grants over US $1,000 in New Jersey. Grants from Arts Council of the Morris Area may benefit groups advancing civil rights through inclusive, accessible arts experiences for diverse communities.

Insperity provides New Jersey community organizations with philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to support important service and fundraising goals. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits connected to Insperity clients, employees, or communities where employees live and work. Civil rights and related advocacy nonprofits in New Jersey may be eligible if they meet these criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups serving majority-LGBTQ+ communities with civil rights, legal, health, or related services in New Jersey can apply for grants up to US $5,000. The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund supports emerging needs, with priority for Black or Indigenous LGBTQ+ people, people of color, trans and gender-nonconforming, and low-income communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding in New Jersey can seek support for their charitable programs. With a mission to foster positive change, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation provides funding that may benefit civil rights-focused initiatives within these broader areas of work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries can request US $5,000 - US $10,000 in unrestricted funding for environmental and human services programs, including in New Jersey. Focused on community and environmental initiatives, the Lawrence Foundation invites eligible organizations to apply for general operating or project support that fits its stated priorities.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Focused on basic needs and community vitality, Ameriprise Financial invites U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for support for hunger relief, shelters, housing, workforce readiness, and financial literacy programs. New Jersey organizations working on civil rights alongside these services may be competitive, especially where Ameriprise employees or advisors are actively engaged as volunteers.

Organizations running hospital-based violence intervention programs in New Jersey that already received SFY25 NJHVIP Continuation Funding and remained in full compliance can seek continued support to connect crime victims with services from hospital or medical settings into the community. The New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety funds efforts to improve outcomes, enhance support, and reduce future victimization.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

New Jersey law enforcement agencies in New Jersey can apply for the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety’s Wellness and Resiliency Grant, awarding up to US $50,000 for officer wellness initiatives. Funding supports counseling, wellness training, fitness enhancements, peer support, and spaces or tools that strengthen staff health and resilience, which may benefit civil-rights-related policing efforts.

Law enforcement agencies and public safety partners in New Jersey can seek funding to support underage drinking prevention and enforcement activities through the Cops in Shops Summer Shore Initiative. Focused on alcohol-related community safety, the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety invites collaborations between police and licensed alcohol retailers that may also reinforce youth rights and protections.

With a mission to improve quality of life, O'Reilly Automotive Foundation provides New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits with project, operating, and capital support for economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief. Community-based organizations serving underserved or underrepresented people, including those facing discrimination, may be eligible if they operate where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a presence.

Nonprofit organizations in New Jersey with strong, replicable community partnerships addressing significant social issues can apply for Mutual of America Foundation’s national Community Partnership Award. This U.S.-wide recognition may benefit civil rights groups that collaborate with public, private, or social sector partners to improve lives and model innovative, scalable approaches.

Nonprofit organizations helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant can apply for Gupta Family Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $250,000 for focused interventions and humanitarian relief. U.S.-based 501(c)(3)s and qualifying foreign entities, including those in New Jersey working on civil rights and social justice, may be eligible if they meet the foundation’s size and mission criteria.