International Human Rights Grant Program

International Human Rights Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Jacob And Hilda Blaustein Foundation Inc
Last Updated: March 08, 2026

Summary

The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation, established in 1957, promotes social justice and human rights through various initiatives, including education, the arts, health services, and support for international human rights. The foundation primarily funds U.S.-based organizations that address issues such as women's and reproductive rights, refugee protection, and leadership development. With a focus on systemic change and constituent participation, it seeks to foster innovation and effective evaluation processes in its grantees.

Overview

Established in 1957 and animated by the Jewish value of tzedakah (obligation to be charitable), the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation promotes social justice and human rights through six program areas: Strengthening Public Education seeks to improve outcomes and opportunities for students and the quality of teaching and leadership in the Baltimore City school systemArts and Culture nurtures a robust cultural scene and ensures that the arts are accessible to children and underserved audiences in the Baltimore regionHealth and Mental Health aims to expand access to quality, affordable health and mental health services for low-income residents of Baltimore City and create better health outcomes locally, regionally and nationally by addressing environmental threats to human healthStrengthening Israeli Democracy works to support Israel as a pluralistic society by promoting shared society between Jewish and Arab citizens in the Negev, building the pipeline to higher education and workforce integration for Israel’s ethnic minorities, and protecting Israel’s environmentJewish Life focuses on keeping Judaism meaningful and responsive to contemporary concerns through “repairing the world”, furthering progressive and inclusive approaches to Judaism, and facilitating nuanced discourse among American Jews about IsraelInternational Human Rights advances women’s and reproductive rights, and protects the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the US and other countries The Foundation supports organizations that: promote systemic change; involve constituent participation in identifying needs, planning and decision-making; encourage innovation; have clear goals, a process for evaluation and a long-range funding strategy. International Human Rights Program Area The Foundation’s program in International Human Rights reflects the commitment of its founders to the principles of universal rights. As President of the American Jewish Committee from 1949 to 1954, Jacob Blaustein worked to protect the civil and religious rights of Jews and other minorities and to promote intergroup tolerance. He was a lifelong advocate for human rights and helped to promote the idea of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, a position that was established more than twenty years after his death in 1970. The Foundation funds a small number of grantees that work to advance international human rights. The Foundation generally supports US based organizations that address international issues, rather than those based abroad. The Foundation rarely provides support for programs or projects that focus on one country or region. Internationally, the Foundation works in three areas: Advancing women's and reproductive rights. We do not provide support for domestic programs in this area.Protecting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers who seek refuge in the United States and other countries.Supporting cross-cutting programs that advance leadership development, capacity-building and training across issues. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals in this area. In 1971, the Foundation created and endowed the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights at the American Jewish Committee. This is an independent entity with its own governance, programmatic priorities and grantmaking program.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grantees must be nonprofit organizations with tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and organized and operated for charitable purposes. Organizations with fiscal sponsors are also eligible to apply.

Ineligibility

The Foundation generally does not provide support for individual public, parochial or independent schools.The foundations do not provide support for: Grants or scholarships to individuals Unsolicited proposals for academic, scientific or medical research Direct mail, annual giving, membership campaigns, special events, fundraising events Suggest an update