Civic & Democracy Funders

Learn about grants to strengthen democracy and civic life by browsing our curated list of top democracy funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Key Funders

Funding trends for democracy and civic engagement grants

A record low of only 28% Americans were satisfied with the way U.S. democracy was working as of December 2023, per a Gallup survey. A Pew Research study, conducted in April 2024, found that “just 19% of Americans say democracy in the United States is a good example for other countries to follow.” It’s not hard to imagine these numbers have dropped even lower during the fraught 2024 election cycle.

At this point, threats to U.S. democracy are visible and measurable. More than 100 state laws restricting voting rights have passed since the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in 2013, the Brennan Center for Justice reports.

Democracy and civic engagement has always been a niche area of philanthropy, and a hard one to precisely define. Inside Philanthropy considers democracy funding in terms of grants for civic education and service learning initiatives; voter registration and mobilization efforts; election-linked policy work; movement-building, advocacy and protection; and specific types of funding around media and access.

By any definition, this area of philanthropy is growing. Democracy Fund estimates institutional philanthropy for democracy has experienced “somewhere between 42 and 61 percent growth from 2017–2018 to 2021–2022.”

Yet even with this substantial growth, grants for democracy efforts still amounted to less than 1% of institutional American philanthropy in 2022.

“I would say, writ large, that democracy is very underfunded,” Geri Mannion, managing director of the Carnegie Corporation’s Strengthening U.S. Democracy program, told IP.

That said, an important trend in recent years is the entrance of funders that haven’t always done dedicated pro-democracy funding, because the links between their priority issues and a democratic, rights-based society are clear. For example, in 2024, the Gill Foundation, a leading funder of LGBTQ+ nonprofits, announced millions in grants to democracy nonprofits in addition to its regular giving programs.

Where are democracy and civic engagement grants going?

Traditional areas of focus for democracy grants include civic engagement, voter education, voting rights, and the administration of elections. These remain top funding priorities. At the same time, additional issue areas have been an increasing focus of democracy grants in recent years, including racial justice, journalism, and combating misinformation and disinformation.

While not all funding related to democracy is inherently political, funding in this space tends to be ideologically driven. Philanthropic dollars from conservative funders trend toward think tanks and advocacy organizations like the Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute, which promote concepts and policies linked to “election integrity,” like voter identification requirements. Conversely, progressive funders are more likely to work toward expanding election access, which includes efforts to increase voter registration, fight voter suppression, and increase representation and engagement in democratic institutions.

History of Philanthropy for Democracy and Civic Engagement

Philanthropy for democracy and civic engagement was once focused on things like voter education and tended to be concentrated in election years or in response to specific events. For example, there was an increase in democracy-related philanthropy after the contested 2000 presidential election was decided by the Supreme Court. Since 2016, the field has grown more multifaceted, funding more steady between election cycles. A survey by the Democracy Fund found a noticeable recent shift from issues like campaign finance reform, a funder focus in the not-so-distant past, to funding for social justice and combating disinformation as essential to a functioning democracy.

Gaps in democracy and civic engagement funding

Though more funders are giving to initiatives to combat misinformation and disinformation, this issue is still underfunded, both IP and the Democracy Fund found. Media policy and election administration were also cited as “in need of greater attention and focus from funders” in Democracy Fund’s survey. Local journalism and media policy are also underfunded areas of democracy giving.

Foundations for Civic Engagement and Democracy

128 COLLECTIVE

Democracy funding has focused on capacity building for progressive politics, promoting climate crisis legislation, and job creation in underserved communities globally.

ABELARD FOUNDATION

This funder supports early-stage grassroots nonprofits in a broad range of issues, including civil rights and criminal justice reform.

ADDITIONAL VENTURES

This funder’s democracy grants seek to “accelerate systemic changes to make American democracy stronger and fairer.”

AGUA FUND

Agua’s civic engagement grants work “to increase the participation in public life of underrepresented groups and to protect voting rights.”

RITA ALLEN FOUNDATION

This funder supports efforts to promote informed and civically engaged citizens in light of changing technology and media landscapes in the U.S.

ALPHAWOOD FOUNDATION

This foundation’s advocacy grantmaking supports “activities advance responsive and accountable policies and institutions.”

AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of Amalgamated Bank supports voter education and civic engagement, often around elections.

AMB FOUNDATION

Though AMB does not name grantmaking strategies in this space, it supports work related to Indigenous rights and equity.

ANDERSON-ROGERS FOUNDATION

Giving for democracy primarily centers around the separation of church and state and reducing the influence of religion on politics in the United States.

ARCA FOUNDATION

This progressive funder supports organizations working on the front lines of social change to achieve racial and economic justice, democratic inclusion, a clean environment, and peace and security.

ARKAY FOUNDATION

Arkay makes grants to preserve and promote democratic institutions and values in the United States and reduce the influence of money in politics.

ARNOLD VENTURES

Arnold’s grantmaking for Public Finance works to ensure that public funds are “allocated through a fair and equitable process to programs that strengthen communities.”

AVIV FOUNDATION

This foundation works broadly to support the civic engagement of all citizens.

MARY REYNOLDS BABCOCK FOUNDATION

This funder invests in civic participation and social and economic justice in 11 southern states.

BALLMER GROUP

This funder does not name democracy as a specific priority, but it does make grants related work in the areas of criminal justice reform and community development.

BARING FOUNDATION

This foundation’s democracy grantmaking is centered on the U.K. and Sub-Saharan Africa.

B.W. BASTIAN FOUNDATION

This foundation invests in organizations whose engagement relates to LGBTQ individuals, including work concerning civil rights, legal resources and advocacy.

BAUMAN FOUNDATION

This funder is is dedicated to promoting and preserving democratic values and institutions. Grantmaking prioritizes economic justice, government and corporate accountability, and civic engagement in the political process.

BAY AND PAUL FOUNDATIONS

This foundations’ Civil Society and Human Rights focus area supports organizations committed to the rule of law in the United States and globally, especially those that target “government corruption and kleptocracy” as threats to democracy.

BENJAMIN FUND

The Benjamin Fund supports community organizing and democracy efforts around the United States. Geographic priorities are California, New York and Washington, D.C.

BEN & JERRY’S FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the ice cream company is devoted to supporting grassroots efforts for activism and change.

BLACK VOICES FOR BLACK JUSTICE FUND

This funder supports racial justice leaders who make a significant contribution to health, education, civic engagement, jobs, and economic development in Black communities.

BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES

Bloomberg’s giving for civic engagement and democracy focuses on urban areas and aims to “bring bold ideas to life and spread proven solutions to cities around the world.”

THE LYNDE AND HARRY BRADL EY FOUNDATION

This funder primarily invests in conservative policy and research in academia, with a focus on democratic infrastructure, economic deregulation, federalism and higher education.

BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION

Civic and democracy grantmaking aims to “strengthen democracy in America by supporting organizations that work to create greater economic opportunities for all, to promote political inclusiveness and robust citizen participation, to assure government accountability and to ensure an independent and fair judiciary.”

BRANSCOMB FAMILY FOUNDATION

This family foundation has demonstrated an interested in election reform and voting rights.

BROWN FOUNDATION

This Texas funder does not name specific giving strategies but maintains a grantmaking stream for Civic and Public Affairs.

CARETH FOUND ATION

This funder works broadly to support grassroots community organizing, civic and human rights, democratic institutions, rule of law, and social justice in the U.S. and around the world.

CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

Carnegie’s democracy grantmaking program seeks to “foster a pluralistic, vibrant democracy through the civic integration of immigrants, support for nonpartisan voter registration and education, and voting rights.”

CARTER CENTER

Created by the former president, the Carter Center runs initiatives for civics and democracy that prioritize elections and access to information, both of which the center considers a basic human right.

CASE FOUNDATION

This funder focuses on engaging Millennials in social activism and democratic participation through innovative, technological approaches.

MARGUERITE CASEY FOUNDATION

Grants work intersectionally to address voter engagement, immigration, race relations, race equality, community organizing, and anti-discrimination.

CLIMATEWORKS FOUNDATION

This funder’s Governance & Diplomacy grantmaking works to “strengthen global climate governance at all levels.”

CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND

This fund supports environmental activism and advocacy.

NAOMI AND NEHEMIAH COHEN FOUNDATION

The main priority of this foundation’s democracy giving “is “integrated voter mobilization with a particular focus on communities of color.”

CS FUND/WARSH MOTT LEGACY

This funder’s Rights and Governance program is committed to racial justice and equity and “securing the constitutional rights and democratic governance needed for movements for justice to succeed.”

WALLACE H. COULTER FOUNDATION

Coulter demostrates commitment to voter and immigrant rights and regularly supports Asian American and Pacific Islander groups.

CRAIGSLIST CHARITABLE FUND

CCF does not have a specific program dedicated to democracy and civic engagement, but it has made related grants for voting rights, immigrants and journalism.

CROSSCURRENTS FOUNDATION

This low-key foundation supports progressive think tanks, policy outfits and advocacy groups.

NATHAN CUMMINGS FOUNDATION

This funder supports groups and programs that focus on increasing BIPOC and other marginalized communities’ civic engagement, reducing the racial wealth gap and confronting white supremacy.

DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE

Democracy Alliance is a network of progressive donors that coordinates support for progressive policy, media, and civic engagement in the United States.

DEMOCRACY FUND

This is is a bipartisan funder that supports organizations working to promote effective governance, election and campaign finance reform, media and public engagement, freedom of the press and government accountability.

DEVON CREEK FOUNDATION

Devon Creek’s civil society program promotes universal engagement with and participation in democratic processes.

WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION

Grants for civic engagement and democracy in the U.S. mirror Donner’s global security grantmaking in that a mix of liberal and conservative or libertarian organizations have received support.

DORSEY & WHITNEY FOUNDATION

The foundation maintains a strong interest in the legal representation of underserved individuals and families and has awarded grants to organizations that provide pro-bono or low-cost representation and advocacy services.

JESSIE BALL DUPONT FUND

This fund supports leadership development and programs that increase individual and organizational capacity for civic participation.

EDISON INTERNATIONAL

Edison’s civic engagement work overlaps with its workforce development giving. Grants support mentorship, leadership development, access to technology and underserved populations.

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

This funder works to combat the erosion of democratic institutions in the United States, particularly in Florida and North Carolina.

EMERSON CHARITABLE TRUST

Grants support civic interests in the cities and regions where the foundation’s corporate sister has a business presence.

EMERSON COLLECTIVE

This in an LLC that uses a “wide range of tools and strategies in pursuit of a more equal and just America”

MOSES FELDMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Moses Feldman Foundation’s Social Justice, Education and Human Services grantmaking program funds to support civic leadership, “contest hate and bigotry,” and serve disadvantaged populations.

F THREE FOUNDATION

Recent areas of priority include campaign finance reform, voter education and registration and organization for gun control legislation.

LELAND FIKES FOUNDATION

Civic engagement is a core grantmaking interest, and grants support work to “strengthen a free, inclusive, and transparent democracy.”

FOUNDATION FOR A JUST SOCIETY

The Foundation for a Just Society funds a number of grassroots organizations that seek to fill funding gaps in human rights matters related to marginalized women, girls, and LGBTI people.

THE FUND FOR CHANGE

The Fund for Change supports progressive policy reform and community engagement in Baltimore, Maryland, and surrounding areas.

FUND FOR A SAFER FUTURE

Grantmaking supports “advocacy, research, education, and community based organizing in order to reduce gun injuries and deaths.”

GALAXY GIVES FOUNDATION

This funder’s democracy giving area invests in grassroots organizing, political education and increasing voting access for groups historically excluded from the democratic process.

GANNETT FOUNDATION

This foundation supports communities that are served by its parent news media company. Grantmaking for civic engagement stems from its A Community Thrives giving area, which is responsive to the needs of individual communities.

DAVID GEFFEN FOUNDATION

The Geffen Foundation’s work in the areas of civic engagement and democracy focuses mainly on the state of California.

GENERAL SERVICE FOUNDATION

This foundation runs programs to support social justice leaders. It also makes grants for human rights and racial equity.

WALLACE ALEXANDER GERBODE FOUNDATION

Gerbode supports civic engagement and democracy via its Justice and Advancing Truth initiatives, which share related goals.

MERTZ GILMORE FOUNDATION

This funder’s democracy and civic work focuses on reducing money in politics, increasing civic participation and voting rights, government transparency and a decrease of corporate political influence.

LISA AND DOUGLAS GOLDMAN FUND

Areas of interest include the protection and expansion of voting rights, the reduction of the influence of money in the political realm and policy development toward a reduction of gun violence.

JEROME L. GREENE FOUNDATION

This funder supports well-established New York City organizations in the fields of arts, education, health, and social justice

GREEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Working mainly in South Florida, the Green Family Foundation supports voter registration initiatives and projects that foster community “participation, education and activism.”

GROVE FOUNDATION

Grove invests in civic engagement and black-led power building.

EVELYN AND WALTER HAAS, JR. FUND

This fund’s democracy grantmaking works to “increase civic participation and representation for communities in California that have long been underrepresented in our democratic process.”

WILLIAM AND FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION

This major funder’s U.S. Democracy grantmaking program aims “to strengthen America’s electoral and governing institutions and, in doing so, build public trust in our democracy.”

HILL-SNOWDON FOUNDATION

This foundation’s grants broadly fund community-strengthening and organizing initiatives in Washington D.C. and across the U.S.

HUTCHINS FAMILY FOUNDATION

Hutchins funds public policy research and advocacy efforts in the United States, especially related to economic opportunity.

INCITE LABS

Incite Labs makes a limited number of grants to civic engagement organizations. Voting is an area of interest.

JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION

This significant California funder has made grants for civic engagement, voters’ rights and labor policy.

JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND

Funding is national though prioritizes New York, and most often intersects with Jewish causes.

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION

This funder’s health grantmaking intersects with civic and democracy work.

JOHNSON FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder promotes “a world in which all members of society have the opportunity and ability to participate fully in civic life.” Johnson gives nationally, but Vermont and Colorado are geographic areas of interest.

JOYCE FOUNDATION

This foundation’s Democracy program works to promote equitable democracy across the Great Lakes region and nationally.

JPB FOUNDATION

This foundation makes grants for democracy and social justice movements in the U.S., focusing on themes of racial, gender, reproductive, immigrant, economic, environmental and climate justice, as well as a funding program focused on New York.

JUST TRUST

The Just Trust is an offshoot of the the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. It supports criminal justice reform and related civic and journalistic projects in the U.S.

KENDEDA FUND

Kendeda gives some funding for work that intersects with civic engagement across giving areas.

KLARMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Klarman Family Foundation supports efforts for healthy democratic institutions in Boston, the United States and Israel.

JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION

Knight supports research dedicated to the study of democracy and civic engagement.

KOHLBERG FOUNDATION

The Kohlberg Foundation’s grantmaking for civic engagement and democracy takes the form of support for prominent national policy thinktanks, advocacy organizations and leadership development.

KRESGE FOUNDATION

Kresge’s democracy and civic work intersects with all giving areas and focuses on equity.

EUGENE M. LANG FOUNDATION

The Lang Foundation supports civic engagement via its justice giving area, which names “implementing strategies to activate disenfranchised voters” as one of its three main priorities.

JACOB AND VALERIA LANGELOTH FOUNDATION

Langeloth supports grassroots civic engagement organizations across its two main funding areas: justice reform and safe and healthy communities.

LAUDER FOUNDATION

Lauder’s giving for democracy mainly supports the Aspen Institute.

LEAR FOUNDATION

The Lear Family Foundation does not outline specific goals for its grants in this area, but recent tax filings suggest a strong interest in promoting civic engagement and protecting constitutional rights.

LIBRA FOUNDATION

Across giving areas, Libra prioritizes movement building, supporting community-based organizations, and strengthening democracy

LEONARD-LITZ FOUNDATION

This funder’s grantmaking for civics and democracy focuses on community outreach, advocacy and related rights efforts for the LGBTQ community.

PHILIP AND JANICE LEVIN FOUNDATION

Civic and democracy grants mainly support voter engagement initiatives.

HENRY LUCE FOUNDATION

Luce’s Public Policy initiative supports the coordination of orientation programs and materials for newly elected members of Congress and the study and analysis of the presidency and the judiciary system.

JOHN D. AND CATHERINE T. MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

MacArthur’s democracy and civic grants occur in ways that intersect with current areas of giving.

BARBARA MCDOWELL AND GERALD S. HARTMAN FOUNDATION

This foundation supports litigation that improves “the economic well-being, social conditions, and civil liberties of disadvantaged persons and groups in the United States.”

MEDIA DEMOCRACY FUND

The Media Democracy Fund supports organizations defending people’s freedom of expression and their right to communicate in the digital age.

MIZE FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Mize Foundation does not have a specific grantmaking program for democracy and civic participation, but it has made related grants in the areas of racial justice, journalism, climate justice and women’s rights.

MOZILLA FOUNDATION

The Mozilla Foundation supports technology-based projects in the areas of democracy, community development, economic opportunity, global development, higher education and the arts.

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION

This is a major supporter of civic engagement and democracy in the U.S. and abroad. Mott is committed to fostering “engaged, empowered and equitable communities throughout the world.”

MS. FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN

The Ms. Foundation for women provides general operating support to organization’s supporting the rights, health, safety and well-being of women and girls of color, LGBTQ women and other underrepresented groups.

NEALL FAMILY FOUNDATION

Grantmaking for democracy and civic engagement centers around civil liberties, community organizing, government accountability, and voter education.

NEW COMMUNITY FUND

The New Community Fund supports efforts to promote progressive policy and protect democratic institutions in Boston and throughout the United States.

CRAIG NEWMARK PHILANTHROPIES

Newmark’s democracy grantmaking supports inclusion and participation in the U.S. voting system. Cybersecurity is a related area of interest.

NEW PROFIT

Grantmaking focuses on increasing civic and political participation in underrepresented communities and enlisting Americans to create and maintain a more transparent and responsive government.

NEW SOCIETY FUND

Tax filings suggest an interest in funding progressive policy outfits and think tanks, as well as grassroots activism. New Mexico is an area of priority.

NEW WORLD FOUNDATION

The New World Foundation’s New Majority Fund is an initiative to “claim a powerful place at decision-making levels to affect policy at the city, county, and state levels.”

NEW VENTURE FUND

This fund is particularly interested in groups that work to “protect citizens’ rights to political and social freedom and equality,” “inspire and implement new ideas and processes,” and “foster public participation in the debate on important social issues.”

NOVO FOUNDATION

This funder’s Radical Hope Fund targets groups “driving systemic social change in communities around the world” and combating the “breakdown of the fundamental pillars of democracy.”

OBERNDORF FOUNDATION

The Oberndorf Foundation has demonstrated an interest in research on public policy and social welfare. The foundation gives to both conservative and liberal causes.

OMIDYAR NETWORK

The Omidyar Network supports civic engagement and democracy in the U.S. across each of its funding initiatives, investing in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures that aim to “build more inclusive and equitable societies.”

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS

This far-reaching funder’s work includes grantmaking for civic engagement initiatives as well as organizations that work to ensure that governments remain responsive to the needs of all their people.

OVERBROOK FOUNDATION

This funder established a Defending Democracy initiative to support “organizations working on a wide range of areas that are critical to a robust democracy.”

DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION

This major funder invests in a range of areas, some of which interesect with democracy and civic engagement, as well as civil society.

PEACE DEVELOPMENT FUND

Grantmaking is tailored to early-stage, grassroots organizations for whom small grants can have a large impact. Human rights are the main focus here.

PETER G. PETERSON FOUNDATION

Peterson’s giving supports research, policy development and education on the “key fiscal challenges threatening America’s future.”

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Pew’s civic and democracy work is committed to improving legal systems and supporting governmental infrastructure.

PINK HOUSE FOUNDATION

The Pink House Foundation’s grants for civic engagement and democracy tend to support efforts to increase the participation of minority groups in democratic processes. This is is a social justice funder that places a strong focus on grassroots organizing and activism.

JOHN PRITZKER FAMILY FUND

Giving for democracy and civic health focuses locally.

PROTEUS FUND

Proteus’s Piper Fund brings like-minded individual donors and foundations together to defend democratic practices. Areas of focus are Money in Politics Reform, Judicial Independence and Protecting the Right to Protest.

PUBLIC WELFARE FOUNDATION

The Public Welfare Foundation promotes community organizing and civic engagement strategies as part of its overall criminal justice reform mission in the United States.

QUADRIVIUM

This funder supports efforts to reform electoral processes, increase voter participation and access, and promote nonpartisan leadership development in the United States.

RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS FOUNDATION

Several of this foundation’s grants for journalism overlap with efforts to protect democracy through free and fair journalism and reporting.

THE BERNARD AND AUDRE RAPOPORT FOUNDATION

This funder’s Democracy & Civic Participation grantmaking area is one of its largest and aims to “make government more responsive and to encourage citizens to take an active interest and role in political life.”

ROCKEFELLER FAMILY FUND

Grantmaking for democracy works to promote civic engagement, the accountability of government and corporations, and to protect the rights of individuals in the U.S.

ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND

RBF’s Democratic Practice program seeks to “strengthen the vitality of democracy in the United States and in global governance.” This funder also supports democracy globally and maintains a grantmaking program for the Western Balkans.

ROSENKRANZ FOUNDATION

This right-of-center funder invests in personal affiliations and translations of various political science texts.

ROSENTHAL FAMILY FOUNDATION

The foundation’s grantmaking for civic engagement and democracy focuses on women’s rights and participation in civic processes.

SAMUEL RUBIN FOUNDATION

This is a progressive funder that mainly supports well-established U.S.-based initiatives for democracy, justice and civic engagement. It supports human rights and disarmament globally.

SANDLER FOUNDATION

The Sandler Foundation’s grantmaking for U.S.-based organizations involved in civic engagement and democracy has increased in recent years.

SATTER FOUNDATION

This foundation supports groups that address injustice, help the disenfranchised be heard through inclusion, “advocate for stronger democracies around the world,” and “ensure the oppressed are not forgotten.”

CAMERON SCHRIER FOUNDATION

Schrier’s Strengthen Democracy and Civil Society focus area prioritizes policy development geared toward social justice and equity, as well as independent journalism.

SEA CHANGE FOUNDATION

This funder has provided ongoing support to a few organizations that work to engage voters to support climate change legislation and candidates in local, state and national races who will work toward climate change mitigation in the U.S.

SEATTLE FOUNDATION

This funder invests in civic engagement and grassroots community organizing for progressive change through several initiatives.

STEPHEN M. SILBERSTEIN FOUNDATION

Tax filings suggest an interest in progressive democracy and civic engagement, with grants going to support major national organizations.

MARTY AND DOROTHY SILVERMAN FOUNDATION

This low-key funder broadly invests in civic engagement, voting rights, and democracy work in the U.S. and Israel.

PAUL E. SINGER FOUNDATION

The foundation’s giving aligns with its founder’s conservative-libertarian views; it funds conservative think tanks and policy outfits, especially those that promote free-market capitalist principles.

SKYLINE FOUNDATION

The Skyline Foundation supports climate solutions, education, journalism, birth justice, democracy, and nonprofits.

ALAN B. SLIFKA FOUNDATION

Grantmaking supports overlapping causes for Jewish culture, democracy and “shared society” in Israel and around the world.

SOLIDAGO FOUNDATION

The Solidago Foundation focuses on grassroots organizing for democracy “in communities most impacted by systemic injustices.”

JENNIFER AND JONATHAN ALLAN SOROS FOUNDATION

This foundation’s grantmaking for democracy and civic engagement primarily takes the form of support for progressive policy, liberal think tanks and election reform.

SPARKPLUG FOUNDATION

Sparkplug’s community organizing grantmaking supports civic engagement in the areas of justice reform, LGBTQ rights and more.

STARR FOUNDATION

The Starr Foundation’s public policy grantmaking seeks to promote “international relations and the promotion of the rule of law and democratic institutions around the world.” Much of this funding is directed to programs housed at universities.

IRVIN STERN FOUNDATION

The Irvin Stern Foundation’s Civic Affairs grantmaking seeks to “improve the quality of life in urban communities through grass roots and neighborhood organizations.” This funder prioritized the greater Chigago area, but gives nationally as well.

BARBARA STIEFEL FOUNDATION

This low-profile funder supports democracy and civic engagement initiatives, as well as criminal justice reform and other social justice concerns, in the United States.

STREISAND FOUNDATION

The foundation of Barbara Streisand supports efforts to preserve and improve democratic institutions in the United States, funding work in campaign finance reform, voting rights, voter registration, and economic opportunity.

THE SUNFLOWER FOUNDATION

Grantmaking for democracy typically centers on voting rights for felons and the formerly incarcerated, but also include civic engagement efforts for women and minorities.

SWANEE HUNT FOUNDATION

This funder supports programs that intend to build a more inclusive global security and peace-building environment, with a particular focus on women. It also supports “entrepreneurial leaders of diverse American social movements.”

THIRD WAVE FUND

Through its women’s, girls’ and LGBTQ grantmaking programs, the Third Wave Fund supports organizations involved in supporting the civic engagement of marginalized young people.

THRESHOLD FOUNDATION

This is a progressive funder for grassroots organizations, but its specific areas of focus are apt to change. Past giving has addressed voting rights and redistricting and campaign finance laws.

TIDES FOUNDATION

This iconic funder’s grants for civic and democracy evolve and expand, often focusing on voting rights and access for historically exluded communities and populations.

TRIAD FOUNDATION

The Triad Foundation’s grants for civic engagement and democracy mainly support think tanks that conduct research and policy development projects for conservative causes.

VOQAL

Voqal promotes the use of media and technology to increase civic engagement and bring about social change.

WELLS FARGO

Civic engagement is a smaller area of giving here, but initiatives in its parent company’s service areas have received funding.

WELLSPRING PHILANTHROPIC FUND

This funder’s grants support organizations that encourage participatory democracy, particularly those that work to increase individual agency throughout the globe.

WERNER-KOHNSTAMM FAMILY FUND

WKF predominately advocates for economic opportunity and rights for immigrants and migrant workers in California. Its civic engagement grants center on engaging youth in opportunities related to civic life.

WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION

The Wikimedia Foundation’s grantmaking programs support various aspects of the democratization of knowledge around the world, strongly prioritizing underserved communities that have experienced a dearth of knowledge sharing and equitable access to information.