The past few years have been notable for the dramatic rise in visible protests and social uprisings around the globe. Events from the Arab Spring in the Middle East to Occupy Protests in Europe have sprung up in nearly every corner of the globe as people are increasingly taking to the streets to voice their dissent at issues ranging from economic disparity to freedom of expression.
These movements have created a surge in demand for donors that can support Human Rights projects. In response, the Foundation Centre and the International Human Rights Funders Group have compiled a new report called “Advancing Human Rights – Update on Global Foundation Grantmaking”.
You can access the full report at the Foundation Centre here.
Some of the key findings of the report include:
- In 2011, foundations allocated more than $1.7 billion in support of organizations or specific initiatives seeking to advance human rights.
- 27% of global foundation funding goes to Equality Rights and Freedom from Discrimination
- The 745 foundations included in the report made over 17,000 grants supporting human rights.
- The 745 funders included in the analysis of 2011 giving are based across 34 countries and seven major world regions
- After North America, the second most supported region was Sub-Saharan Africa ($227m or 13% of overall funding)
Top Ten Funders of Human Rights Projects Worldwide
1. Open Society Foundations – $261.1m
2. Ford Foundation – $171.1m
3. National Endowment for Democracy – $105.7m
4. W.K. Kellogg Foundation – $59.2m
5. Oak Foundation – $40m
6. Atlantic Philanthropies – $39m
7. Arcus Foundation – $36.6m
8. Vanguard Charitable Endowment Foundation – $32.9m
9. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – $31.4m
10. Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation – $28.5m
Do you want to learn how to raise funds from the top ten human rights funders and beyond? Take part in our Webinar on Grant Fundraising for International Human Rights.
