Everyone deserves to be represented and included in society. However, many people encounter discrimination and segregation because of their identity or background. And with so many charities advocating for equal representation and rights, we had to ask: What are the best charities for diversity and inclusion?

The best charities for diversity and inclusion are the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Advancement Project. These charities campaign for greater diversity and social inclusion through advocacy programs, support services, and awareness-raising initiatives.

Whether you want to encourage more diversity and inclusion in your school, workplace, or community, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities for diversity and inclusion are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities for Diversity and Inclusion Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and their impact on creating more social cohesion.

They have superb transparency ratings, which showcase their dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all.

They operate across the US and strive to make communities more inclusive through their research, programs, and campaign efforts. They aim to ensure that people of all backgrounds have equitable rights and opportunities.

Yet they all share the same goal of building a more diverse and inclusive society.

These Are the 9 Best Charities for Diversity and Inclusion in 2024

Below are our favorite charities for diversity and inclusion (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities For Diversity and Inclusion

American Civil Liberties Union 

National Immigration Law Center

The Advancement Project

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Equal Justice Initiative

National Urban League

More in Common

Human Rights Campaign

National Inclusion Project

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

American Civil Liberties Union: Promoting Inclusion and Diversity in Civil Society

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded in 1920 by civil rights activists including Roger Baldwin, Helen Keller, Crystal Eastman, Albert DeSilver, Jane Addams, Felix Frankfurter, and Arthur Garfield Hayes. They established the ACLU to defend the US constitution and people’s civil liberties amidst ongoing turmoil in the post-war era. Today, the ACLU tackles discriminatory legislation that wrongfully segregates people from society, or hinders their ability to participate in their communities. 

The ACLU currently holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and they have an impressive Accountability and Transparency score of 96 out of 100, also from Charity Navigator. They have a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar – the highest rank possible. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion also extends to their internal teams, as approximately 48% of staff identify as female, while 77% of board members are from minority backgrounds. 

“To defend all people from government abuse and overreach.”

American Civil Liberties Union

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) promotes diversity and inclusion through impact litigation and social change. They campaign for more diversity by supporting affirmative action programs. They also provide legal representation for marginalized people and groups segregated from society, including people with disabilities, people of color, and immigrants. 

Since their inception, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has amassed more than 4 million member activists across the country to promote diversity and inclusion. In 2020, they won a landmark case in the Supreme Court, which overturned a ruling that allowed someone to be excluded from the workplace because of their gender identity. In the same year, they filed more than 35 legal actions to ensure all eligible voters could equally participate in the election. The year prior, they also filed and won a case that had attempted to omit immigrants from the US Census.

You can contribute to the American Civil Liberties Union by donating directly through their website. You can also give over the phone, or sign up for a monthly membership to make regular donations. 

National Immigration Law Center: Advocating For Immigrant Inclusion

The National Immigration Law Center was founded in 1979 to provide low-income immigrants with legal representation. Along with promoting and defending immigrant rights, they also advocate for policy changes that are more inclusive of immigrants, and raise awareness on the diverse immigrant communities present in the US. They have offices in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

The National Immigration Law Center holds an Accountability and Transparency score of 100 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. They also have a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For example, approximately 70% of their senior staff are from minority backgrounds, while 80% of senior staff identify as female.

“To defend and advance the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their family members.”

National Immigration Law Center

The National Immigration Law Center advances immigrant rights and inclusion through advocacy and research. They promote diversity by recognizing various immigrant communities. They also challenge harmful legislation that undermines immigrants’ equality, or segregates them from society. 

Since their inception, the National Immigration Law Center has participated in numerous lawsuits to promote greater inclusion for low-income immigrants. For example, in 2014, they filed 2 federal complaints under the Affordable Care Act to highlight discriminatory and non-inclusive access to services. They have also developed more than 4 advocacy toolkits, to provide more immigrant inclusion in the health care, education, and social sectors. 

You can contribute to the National Immigration Law Center by donating through their website. You can also take action by signing one of their petitions, tweeting at Congress, or emailing your senators. 

The Advancement Project: Empowering Communities To Be More Inclusive

The Advancement Project was founded in 1999 by civil rights activists and lawyers to bring public attention to cases that involved unfair treatment of Black students in schools. They advocated for the rights of students affected by forms of segregation and racial discrimination. Today, they work on initiatives that make the US more inclusive, such as equal voting rights and access to education. 

The Advancement Project holds a respectable Accountability and Transparency score of 85 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. They also have a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. For example, in 2019, more than 80% of their income was spent on programs and services. 

“To fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy.”

The Advancement Project

The Advancement Project supports diversity, inclusion, and civil rights by providing vulnerable communities with tools and capacity-building resources to create change locally. They also strive to promote more diversity and inclusion at a national level through large-scale campaigns, policy changes, and advocacy work. 

Since their founding, the Advancement Project has expanded to 19 US states to provide advocacy on inclusion, and support diverse communities across the country. In 2020, they filed 5 lawsuits demanding the release of vulnerable inmates from minority backgrounds. In the same year, they also filed 3 lawsuits against the state of Florida and Virginia, demanding more inclusive voting rights to Black and Latino voters.

You can contribute to the Advancement Project by donating through their website. You can also attend one of their events to show your support.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: Defending Diversity and Civil Rights

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1908 by Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villard, William English Walling, and Dr. Henry Moscowitz, to tackle racial discrimination. The founders were motivated to create a call for racial equality, diversity, and inclusion, in response to the violent race riots occurring in Springfield, Illinois. Their call was signed by over 60 people, including civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois. Today, NAACP continues to fight for diversity, inclusion, and equal rights.

They maintain a 4-star rating and an Accountability and Transparency score of 97 out of 100, both from Charity Navigator. They currently hold a Bronze Star of Transparency from GuideStar. In 2019, nearly 71% of NAACP’s income was spent on programming. 

“Demanding diversity and inclusion for people of color.”

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

They mobilize activists across the US to defend the rights of minorities, and have an active presence in all 50 states. The NAACP promotes social, economic, educational, and political inclusion through advocacy campaigns and grassroots movements. 

With over 100 years of impact on civil rights in the US, the NAACP has amassed more than 2 million active members and advocates. In 2020, they fought back against governments in 2 US states that wanted to limit diversity and inclusion training. In the same year, they also won a landmark case to protect the legal status of 700,000 DACA recipients from diverse backgrounds.

You can contribute to the NAACP by donating via their website. You can also join your local NAACP group to volunteer, fight for diversity and inclusion, and participate in community activities.

Equal Justice Initiative: Strengthening Diversity and Inclusion Through Criminal Justice Reforms

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) was founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson to provide legal remedies to people discriminated against because of their social or minority status. As a passionate civil rights advocate, Stevenson was determined to transform the criminal justice system and ensure equal rights for all people, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. Today, EJI enhances diversity and inclusion by providing legal aid to people that have been segregated from society.

The Equal Justice Initiative currently holds an impressive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also have a perfect Accountability and Transparency score of 100 out of 100, also from Charity Navigator. Similarly, they maintain a Silver Star of Transparency from GuideStar.

“To challenge racial and economic injustice, and to protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.”

Equal Justice Initiative

The Equal Justice Initiative promotes racial inclusion and equality through advocacy and programming. They research racial discrimination in historical and modern contexts, provide legal assistance to those who have experienced it, and deliver policy prescriptions for legislative change. 

Since their inception, the Equal Justice Initiative has spearheaded several campaigns that detail the impact of segregation in American society. For example, in 2018, EJI opened The National Memorial for Peace and Justice as a tribute to African Americans who lost their lives due to racial injustices. The memorial attracted more than 400,000 visitors in its opening months alone. In the same year, they delivered more than 100 training presentations on the importance of criminal justice reform and the need to provide more inclusive rights for incarcerated people. EJI also won legal cases that reduced prison time for some 40 juveniles serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. This victory enabled those youth to have more equitable treatment within the criminal justice system.

You can contribute to the Equal Justice Initiative by donating directly through their website. 

National Urban League: Advancing Diversity by Uplifting Marginalized Communities 

The National Urban League (NUL) was founded in 1910 by civil rights activists George Edmund Haynes and Ruth Standish Baldwin, to empower African Americans through social and economic capacity-building programs. They established NUL amidst the Great Migration, a time when many African Americans began moving from southern to northern states. Today, their headquarters is based in New York City.

The National Urban League has a perfect Accountability and Transparency score of 100 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, demonstrating their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal rights.   

“To enable and empower African-Americans and others in underserved communities to achieve their highest human potential.”

National Urban League

The National Urban League promotes the educational, social, and economic inclusion of African Americans across 300 communities and 37 US states. They achieve this by implementing a range of social programs, services, and public advocacy. 

Since their founding, the National Urban League has fought for civil rights on a national scale, serving over 1.7 million people annually with their programming and advocacy work. For example, in 2019, they provided job training opportunities to more than 1,000 unemployed and low-income seniors from minority backgrounds living in urban areas. In the same year, they also assisted more than 200 students from minority backgrounds with job readiness and skills development courses. Their assistance prevented the students from being excluded from the same academic opportunities as their peers. 

You can contribute to the National Urban League by donating directly through their website. 

More in Common: Building Inclusive and Diverse Societies

More in Common was founded in 2017 by Tim Dixon and Mathieu Lefèvre, to strengthen community resilience and enhance social inclusion. Both founders have backgrounds in international development and established More in Common to support civil society in becoming more cohesive and unified. 

More in Common has a Finance and Accountability score of 94 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. For example, in 2019, they spent nearly 95% of their income on their social inclusion initiatives. They also receive funding from high-profile donors, including the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and the Robert Bosch Foundation.

“To build a more united and inclusive America that is resilient to the profound threats posed by our country’s polarization.”

More in Common

More in Common aims to combat narratives that divide communities and societies. They partner with organizations to advance community inclusion, and encourage open dialogue on issues that polarize people, such as immigration. They also carry out groundbreaking research and implement initiatives to strengthen community values. 

Since their founding, More in Common has expanded its social cohesion work to 4 countries, including the US, UK, France, and Germany. For example, in 2019, they reached approximately 300,000 community facilitators with their inclusion programming. Similarly, they have also assisted 6 alliances across Germany to support diversity and inclusion projects. 

To contribute to More in Common, you can contact their team to learn about fundraising opportunities. You can also show your support by signing up on their website to receive updates on their work and programs. 

Human Rights Campaign: Advocating For LGBTQ+ Inclusivity 

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) was founded in 1980 by Steve Endean, an LGBTQ+ rights activist, to support LGBTQ+ people elected into office, and ensure they received fair treatment in elections. Today, HRC works to defend rights for LGBTQ+ people across the US, and undertakes initiatives that promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in society. Their headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.

The Human Rights Campaign has an impressive Accountability and Transparency score of 93 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. They have a Financial score of 82 out of 100, also from Charity Navigator.

“To realize a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.”

Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign promotes LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion through advocacy, education, and activism programs. They tackle all forms of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people on national and international levels. They also publicly challenge harmful laws and practices that hinder the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people.

Since their founding, the Human Rights Campaign has amassed more than 3 million members and supporters to fight for LGBTQ+ rights. For example, in 2018, they assisted more than 150 LGBTQ+ politicians to ensure they were equally represented and included in election periods. In the same year, they registered more than 32,000 eligible voters across the US, which helped include more LGBTQ+ and allies voters in the election, bringing the total number of LGBTQ+ and allies voters to over 7 million.

You can contribute to the Human Rights Campaign by donating directly through their website. You can also take action by volunteering with them, or signing up to a phone bank. 

National Inclusion Project: Increasing Inclusion of Children With Disabilities 

The National Inclusion Project was founded in 2003 by Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, to advocate for the inclusion of children with disabilities. The pair met while Aiken was in university studying special education. He bonded with Bubel and her son, Michael, who had autism. Together, Aiken and Bubel established the National Inclusion Project to implement programs that would increase the inclusion of children with disabilities.

The National Inclusion Project holds a Financial score of 87 out of 100 from Charity Navigator. For example, in 2020, nearly 68% of their income was spent on inclusion training and advocacy programs.

“Every child can participate, every child can make a friend and every child can succeed.”

National Inclusion Project

The National Inclusion Project promotes greater inclusion of children with disabilities. They provide comprehensive training and resources to organizations and programs on how to be more inclusive of children with disabilities, so that all children have the opportunity to participate in more activities.

Since their founding, the National Inclusion Project has reached more than 15,000 children with disabilities with their advocacy programs and trainings. For example, in 2019, they implemented their Standards for Inclusive Recreation Programs in 9 summer camps across more than 5 US states, measuring how inclusive and accommodating each program was for children with disabilities. 

You can contribute to the National Inclusion Project by donating directly through their website. They also welcome volunteers to sign up through their website, or you can visit their online shop to purchase some branded gear and show your support for disability inclusion. 

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities for diversity and inclusion. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing the progress a charity makes in reaching its targets, the chances are not making positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is just up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to diversity and inclusion – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

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