Mission and History of the US Human Rights Fund:

• The Fund was launched in July 2005
• Dual mission: to promote US human rights advocacy and organizing, and increase awareness and overall support for US human rights work amongst donor partners
• Activities: grantmaking program for domestic human rights work and educational program for donors and activists interested in learning more about US human rights movement

How is the US Human Rights Fund Structured?

• The Fund includes national and regional foundations that contribute to the Fund, representatives of which form the Steering Committee
• The Steering Committee guides the grantmaking strategy and programming work of the Fund
• Members of the Steering Committee include: The Atlantic Philanthropies; Ford Foundation; The Libra Foundation; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; Otto Bremer Foundation; The Overbrook Foundation; Shaler Adams Foundation; Starry Night Fund of the Tides Foundation; Anonymous donor
• The Fund is housed at Public Interest Projects in New York City

Governance of Fund

• Staffed with Program Manager, Program Officer and Program Assistant, with additional assistance from independent consultants
• Steering Committee provides management through its Chair and Subcommittees
• Chair: Steve Foster, President and CEO of The Overbrook Foundation
  • Helps to determine the Fund’s strategic direction, priorities, and ongoing grant making and programmatic activities.
• Subcommittees: Grantmaking, Program and Communications, and US Human Rights Funding
• All Steering Committee members participate in review of LOIs and proposals, and in ongoing strategy decisions, learning opportunities, and fundraising efforts

How much are member contributions to the Fund?

• The Fund prioritizes multi-year commitments, beginning with a minimum of $150,000 over 3 years
• Annual members must contribute a minimum of $50,000 a year

Learning Opportunities at US Human Rights Fund for Donors

• Education about US human rights organizing and advocacy, and related trends across regions and issue areas
• Opportunities to learn of donor partners and each other’s support for US human rights work
• Ongoing evaluation of activism and grant making in this area, including successes and challenges in doing and supporting domestic human rights work

US Human Rights Fund Grantmaking

• Awards grants in four strategic sectors: Human Rights Education and Training; Networking and Collaboration; Coordinated communications; Strategic Thinking and Advocacy
• Three types of grants awarded to date: Program grants; Capacity Building Grants; and Planning Grants
• Size of grants: ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 per year, with limited multi-year support

How much has the Fund disbursed so far in grants?

• FY 05/06: $1.7 million in grants to seventeen organizations (April 2006 docket)
  • Human Rights Education and Training, and National and Regional Networks
• FY 06/07: $1,385,000 in grants (November 2006 and June 2007 dockets)
  • Human Rights Education and Training, Communications, Strategic Thought and Advocacy

How can donors learn more about joining the Fund?

• Contact Public Interest Projects: Puja Dhawan, USHRF Program Officer. 212-764-1508 x204 or Send email