Social Justice Grantmaking

A Report on Foundation Trends

Independent Sector and The Foundation Center

Independent Sector and the Foundation Center have partnered in developing this research, resulting in a quantitative study of social justice funding by 1,000 of the largest private and community foundations in the U.S.

Social Justice Grantmaking is the first study to benchmark foundation funding for nonprofit organizations working to make structural changes that increase opportunities for those who are least well off economically, socially, or politically. Presented here for the first time:

  • A definition of the social justice grantmaking field developed by grantmakers and practitioners
  • Profiles of the top social justice funders
  • Principle grantmaking priorities and funding trends
  • Geographic distribution of funding within and outside of the U.S.

Through interviews with key funders, the report also lends perspective on the motivations and challenges faced by social justice funders.

Available online from The Foundation Center.