20 Social Justice Organizations to Support Right Now
Posting on social media is just a start. Here's how to take the next step.
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others, ignited widespread Black Lives Matter protests across the country and outrage around the world earlier this year. As the demonstrations against police brutality and white supremacy continue, we’re sharing recommendations from our editors about where you can donate your resources to support social justice, to help community organizers in their fight against racial inequality, and to stand in solidarity with the Black community.
Black Lives Matter
"Black Lives Matter was founded in the wake of Trayvon Martin's murder back in 2013, and has been fighting for structural, community-based change ever since, advocating for an end to the violence and injustice inflicted on Black people in the US. It's necessary, hard work, and I'm proud to support it."
The Equal Justive Iniative
"I learned about the EJI through its founder, public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson, and his book Just Mercy (an extremely educational read if you haven’t picked it up yet). EJI has been fighting racial and economic injustice in the prison system for 30 years and provides assistance to advocates and policymakers to prevent unfair incrimination."
Campaign Zero
"This group, founded in 2015, is dedicated to police reform and works with a 10-point plan aimed at reducing violence. It's always been an important cause but feels especially urgent now."
The NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund
"The NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund uses litigation, advocacy, and public education to work towards racial justice and equality for all Americans. The organization is fighting to protect voting rights, reform the criminal justice system, and improve equal access to education, among other civil rights causes. In donating, you can pick where your money is directed (for example, towards police reform, education, or voting rights) or simply choose 'Where it’s needed most.' Right now, the organizationis specifically fighting for the arrests of the other three officers involved in George Floyd’s murder—as the nonprofit said in a recent Instagram post, 'Partial justice is not justice at all.'"
The Bail Project
"The Bail Project is a national fund that helps pay bail for people in need (including protesters). After a client's case ends, the bail is repaid back into the fund and recycled to help additional clients, so your donation is passed on."
Community Bail Funds
"Donating through this secure platform is an easy way to support protestors nationwide. The site equally divides your donation between 38 community bail funds or allows you to allocate a desired amount to each fund."
Fair Fight
"There is so much to be done, but I keep coming back to the need for fair elections. Voter suppression is widespread and endemic in this country and an election year is yet another reminder that our government cannot make progress until people of color are not disenfranchised at an alarming rate. This organization, founded by Stacy Abrams, is working to ensure free and fair elections."
The ACLU
"This might be more of a long-view approach to social justice, but I am a huge supporter of the ACLU and its efforts to ensure the rights and privileges provided by the Constitution are available to every single person in this country."
Color of Change
"I have donated to Color of Change, which is the largest online racial injustice organization. I can't accept the discrimination that people of color face, including but not limited to the criminal justice system, income inequality, and disparities associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic."
The Loveland Foundation
"The Loveland Foundation, started by Rachel Cargle, is a nonprofit that provides financial assistance for Black women and girls seeking mental health support. I also purchased Cargle’s lecture series Unpacking White Feminism to learn more about the history of feminism and race."
George Floyd Memorial Fund
"I am supporting the fight for justice by donating to the George Floyd Memorial Fund. This fund raises money to directly support George’s family with costs related to his death, including funeral and burial expenses, counseling and travel expenses for court proceedings as they continue their fight. The money will also go towards care for his children and their education fund."
Reclaim the Block
"Reclaim the Block is a Minneapolis-based organization that is working to move money out of policing and into community-led safety. They organize around policies and strategies focused on reduced investment in police, diverting those resources to build a community that has real safety. Their goals: investment in affordable housing, accessible mental health services, community violence prevention, and youth services, the resources that will help communities stay safe."
Communities United Against Police Brutality
"Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) operates a 24-hour hotline in Minneapolis for people to report instances of abuse in their area. If needed, CUAPB will send out a crisis team to investigate the report, offer immediate assistance, and provide legal, medical, and psychological resources into the future. CUAPB also provides educational programs to teach communities about the detriments of police brutality and justice system issues."
24-Hour Hotline: 612-874-7867
The Brennan Center For Justice
"One major long term strategy for achieving social justice is ensuring that we have a real democracy in which all voices are heard. The Brennan Center fights for voting rights, election security, campaign finance reform, electoral college reform, and an end to mass incarceration, among other avenues to achieving justice and fair representation."
The Committee to Protect Journalists
"The arrest of CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez is only the most prominent example of widespread attacks on journalists right now, not just those covering the protests that erupted in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing but those who’ve been tirelessly speaking truth to power for the last four years. The Committee to Protect Journalists is a lifeline for members of the media to continue pursuing their important reporting at a time when the freedom of the press is under siege."
The Southern Poverty Law Center
"From monitoring hate groups to seeking justice for vulnerable people and educating youth on the value of diversity, the Southern Poverty Law Center is doing the work to fight hate and systemic bigotry in this country."
Emergency Release Fund
"The Emergency Release Fund is part of the National Bail Fund Network and works to get trans people out of jail and back on their feet—even if they've missed court dates. It's doing necessary work for people who don't always get the help and resources they need and I'm proud to support it."
Assata's Daughters
"Assata's Daughters is an amazing organization in Chicago, run by Black women to benefit the Black community. Its projects aim to educate, support, and organize Black people in the city."
The Okra Project
"There are so many groups that need attention and funding right now, but one organization I've donated to recently is the Okra Project, which aims to provide healthy meals to food insecure Black trans people in New York City."
Black Women's Health Imperative
"I donated to the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the only national organization dedicated solely to the mental and physical health of black women and girls. The organization creates programs and advocates for policies to improve the health and care of black women nationwide."
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