Social Justice

Alliance for Justice: Alliance for Justice is a national association of more than 100 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy. Its mission is to create a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency of environmental, consumer, civil and rights for women, children, senior citizens, and others. 

Area Industrial Areas Foundation: A network of local institutions—congregations, synagogues, nonprofits, and civic associations—that serve as a foundation for public relationships, leadership development, and action around issues that affect local communities

Center for Community Change: An organization whose mission is to build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to change the policies and institutions that affect their lives. Their website includes a searchable resource library of research briefs, articles, presentations, and audio/video content.

“Creating Spaces for Change”: A report commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that examines the concept of civic engagement and clarifies goals and terminology

Equality Trust: A UK-based think tank focused on the impact of inequality on health and social problems. This site provides research-based articles, data, and links to organizations focused on addressing social inequality.

Midwest Academy: Provides training and technical assistance to organizations promoting social change. Its website includes a number of useful tools, reading lists, and training information for organizations engaged in policy campaigns.

Opportunity Agenda: The Opportunity Agenda works to build public support and public policy for greater and more equal opportunity in the United States.

Policy Link: A national research and action institute focused on advancing economic and social equity. Its website includes toolkits and resource documents for planning and implementing policy campaigns related to community health, open space, transportation, and other issues related to equity.

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California: Founded in 1992 by health care providers, consumers, and advocates, the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California--the only statewide organization with a specific emphasis on Latino health --impacts Latino health through enhanced information, policy development, and community involvement.

Report Discrimination Online: This website lists national organizations working on a wide range of social justice issues. [Links to:

Praxis Project: A national nonprofit organization that builds partnerships with local groups to influence policymaking to address the underlying, systemic causes of community problems

The Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America: An initiative of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University that researches and disseminates strategies to promote civic engagement. Its website contains a number of resources including research briefs, bibliography, fact sheets and connections to blogs.


Interfaith Understanding

Alban Institute: An ecumenical, interfaith organization founded that supports congregations through consulting services, research. and leadership development

Believe Out Loud: Believe Out Loud is a collection of clergy and lay leaders, LGBT activists, and concerned individuals working together to help the Protestant community become more welcoming to gays and lesbians.

Bridge-Builders: An organization for youth leaders in the interfaith movement

Center for Interreligious Engagement: Based in DePaul University's Department of Religious Studies, this center focuses on indentifying the requirements for building sustainable bridges among individuals and communities associated with different religious cultures

Center for Religion and Civic Culture: Creates and disseminates scholarship on the civic role of religion in a globalizing world. Provides research and resources—including videos, photos, publications, and demographic information.

“Good for the Soul, Good for the Whole”: A study showing how organizing can both help congregation members grow as leaders within their faith communities as well as strengthen congregations as vital community institutions

ING: This is an educational outreach organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area with affiliates throughout the U.S. It was founded in 1993. ING’s mission is intercultural understanding and mutual respect through education and dialogue.

Interfaith Funders: A network of faith-based and secular grantmakers working to advance the field of congregation-based community organizing and strengthen democracy and justice

The Pluralism Project at Harvard University: An effort that documents the contours of our multi-religious society, explores new forms of interfaith engagement, and studies the impact of religious diversity in civic life

Public/Private Ventures: Develops and tests programs that work in low-income communities and provides program models and research information related to faith-based initiatives

Religions for Peace: An international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace

“Religious and Spiritual Change in America: The case of Marin County, California”: A report funded by the Marin Community Foundation regarding the spiritual and religious attitudes and practices of Marin County residents

To download this report, click on the title of the report to the right.

United Religions Initiative: An interfaith network active in 78 countries with its global office in San Francisco

Why Place & Race Matter: This report was commissioned by The California Endowment and prepared by PolicyLink. It explores how to close the health gap and improve life outcomes by changing neighborhood environments economically, socially, and physically and by strengthening public services and institutions--including health clinics, schools, and clean water systems in low-income communities.