Social inequity and injustice is a huge problem in the USA today. The history of issues such as racism, economic injustice, legal injustice, and more have shaped today’s society. Initiatives and campaigns to improve worker rights, the rights of Black and Hispanic rights and other minority groups, LGBTQ+ rights, strengthen democracy, abolish mass incarceration and wrongful imprisonment, and make access to education and healthcare more accessible for minority groups, have helped raise awareness and bring attention to these issues, but these issues are still relevant today.
For example, most upper class American citizens are white, and there is still a large racial and gender wealth gap, with the upper class mostly consisting of men and white citizens, while the middle and lower class tend to have more LGBTQ+, Black, and Hispanic people. This article highlights 10 non-profit organizations in the USA whose goals are to advocate for and support those affected by these injustices.
Many of these issues are often overlooked because of initiatives such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the transgender rights movement, the Women’s Suffrage movement, and many other protests. Although they may be overlooked, these initiatives bring attention to the recent injustices in American society, because working together to address them is critical for achieving 100% true equality and justice among all citizens regardless of race, gender identity, economic stability, status in society, or legal status.
There are several notable organizations and initiatives dedicated to supporting those affected and advocating and educating communities about these issues, for example the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund for legal advocacy and racial justice, the Black Lives Matter movement against racism and violence towards minority groups, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for the protection of individual rights, and the Innocence Project, which advocates for those who are wrongly accused without a fair trial.
The latter two, along with eight other organizations that this article will highlight, address the many issues part of social inequality and injustice through research projects, education and advocacy, and direct service for those affected.
Top Non-Profits
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Founded in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a human rights organization dedicated to the rights of all Americans, including voting and abortion rights, rights for transgender people to live freely, and freedom for every citizen. They are based in New York but operate across the United States, including the US Supreme Court and the US Congress.
They have started many national projects including lesbian and gay rights, immigrants’ rights, prisoners’ rights, reproductive freedom, workplace rights, and countless others. Today the ACLU is the nation’s largest public interest law firm and makes the most appearances at the Supreme Court. They have more than 1.7 million members and handle more than 2,000 cases of social injustice yearly, and have adopted international human rights standards in their work since 9/11. They are a non-profit organization and receive zero funding from the government.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in America. Their mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
Since their founding, they have started initiatives including political lobbying, bestowing annual awards for the arts to coloured people, starting a youth and college section that has a mission to spread awareness to youth of the problems affecting coloured people, and expanding their mission to include police misconduct and the economic status of refugees. They host a national convention every year in a different American city. They operate in Baltimore, Maryland.
Southern Poverty Law Center (SCLP)
Founded in 1971 as a civil rights law firm in Montgomery, Alabama, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SCLP) is known for handling legal cases against white supremacist groups, classification of hate groups, and promoting inclusive education programs. Their mission is rooted in the belief that a society where black communities thrive benefits all, and they envision a world where coloured communities are not just represented but deeply respected in US democracy.
They have started several initiatives, including strengthening democracy, ending overcriminalization and mass incarceration, abolishing white supremacy, and eradicating poverty and racial inequality. They tracked and exposed more than 1,400 hate groups in 2023, as they believe that hate groups have no place in America. They are committed to “challenging racism with unwavering determination and an unshakable belief in the power of unity and justice,” according to their website.
Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
Founded in 1989, the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) provides legal representation to prisoners who have been wrongfully convicted for crimes, prisoners who lack economic stability, and prisoners who have been denied a fair trial. They are dedicated to eradicating criminal and racial injustice, and poverty. They represent anyone with death penalties, children in adult prisons, prisoners with excessive punishments, and the wrongfully accused. EJI believes that “ending mass incarceration is the civil rights issue of our time.
They challenge excessive punishment in court, advocate for parole and provide re-entry support, and advance systemic reform through research, education, and narrative work,” according to the website. They won the 2020 Webby People’s Voice Award for Charitable Organizations. They operate in Montgomery, Alabama; Alabama is the only state that does not provide state-funded legal assistance to death-row prisoners.
Color of Change
Founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Color of Change is America’s largest online racial justice organization, headquartered in Oakland, California. They use online resources to strengthen the political voices of African Americans. Their mission is to respond effectively to injustice in America and around the world.
They operate online, and the organization is run by 7 million members. Their aim is to move decision-makers in corporations and the government to make a more inclusive and less hostile world for African Americans. They focus on the injustices of criminal justice, freedom to vote, economic justice, and more. Their most recent campaigns include keeping Twitter safe for black people and demanding Applebee’s employee wages to increase equitably.
Black Lives Matter
The organization started in 2013 when three black organizers created a political movement called #BlackLivesMatter to respond to George Zimmerman’s murder. After another murder, the founders knew this violence was happening to black people everywhere and decided to act. The mission of Black Lives Matter is to heal the past, reimagine the present, and invest in the futures of black lives through policy change, education, and a commitment to black arts and culture.
They founded the Black Lives Matter Global Network and it is now recognized worldwide. They also fund non-profits and individuals leading policy change efforts, and they support people offering direct services in support of black communities. Black Lives Matter envisions a world where black people experience joy, thrive happily, and are not defined by their struggles.
Transgender Law Center (TLC)
Founded in 2002 in San Francisco, California, the Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest trans-led organization advocating for self-determination for all LGBTQ+ people in America. Their mission is to change laws and policies and influence attitudes so that everyone can live safely and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.
They have a long history of victories in the trans movement, including winning rights for trans workers nationwide in 2012 and influencing the implementation of the first federal decision to protect trans students in 2017. Their values include self-determination, freedom for all trans people, black women, and migrants, and revolutionary survival. After conducting a study that found that trans people are twice as likely to live under the poverty rate as a cisgender person, TLC has also committed to empowering all their clients in hopes of better economic stability.
UnidosUS
UnidosUS was founded in 1968 with the name National Council of La Raza. It is currently the largest non-profit Latino organization in America. They are headquartered in Washington, DC and have offices in several major US cities. Their goal is to challenge the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos across the country through research, advocacy and education, programs, and a national network of 300 partners across the US and Puerto Rico.
They believe that Latinos are part of the fabric of America – 80% of all Latinos live in America and Puerto Rico. They envision a world with better opportunities for Latinos and where Latinos can be respected in society. They host an annual UnidosUS Annual Conference, the most recent one being in Las Vegas earlier this year with 1,500 Latino leaders, advocates, and allies.
The Innocence Project
Founded in 1992 by attorneys Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck, the Innocence Project works to free the innocent from and prevent wrongful convictions. They envision a fair, compassionate, and equitable justice system for all Americans.
Since their founding, they have been at the forefront of the criminal justice system, where they use DNA and other scientific strategies to prevent wrongful convictions. Since their founding, they have helped free numerous innocent people from prison and wrongful convictions.
National Urban League
Founded in 1910, the National Urban League (formerly called the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes) are a civil rights organization that advocates for the social and economic justice of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States.
They are the oldest organization in America to advocate for African American rights. Today they have 92 partners that serve a total of 300 communities in 36 states (not including DC), and they provide direct services in regards to education, healthcare, housing, job training, and legal justice. Their Washington Bureau also takes NUL’s mission to the US Congress and Administration in hopes to promote change there. NUL operates in New York City.
Conclusion
The work done by these non-profit organizations addresses the many challenges that are collectively part of social injustice and inequality, like criminal injustice, racism, LGBTQ+ rights, rights of minority groups, and way more. As addressed when describing the goals of these organizations, lots of research, advocacy, and initiatives have been and are currently taking place in an effort to abolish these issues in America. By confronting these issues, Americans can work together as a country toward a more just and equitable society in all sectors, for all citizens regardless of who they are.
