Humanity United
/OVERVIEW: Humanity United, an offshoot of the Omidyar Group, makes grants for the prevention of human trafficking, peace-building and journalism. It also conducts its own policy development work in its areas of interest.
IP TAKE: Humanity United works globally to fund nonprofits and NGOs that elevate and amplify the voices of the underrepresented global poor and to develop leadership in oppressed communities. Journalism is a newer area of interest, with grants supporting organizations that report on geographic areas and issues that do not receive coverage from mainstream outlets. Humanity United also conducts policy development work in its areas of interest.
Humanity United is not accessible in that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding, but interested grantseekers may reach out via the organization’s contact page or through social media. It prefers a proactive approach.
PROFILE: Humanity United was established in 2008 by the Omidyar Group. The foundation is “dedicated to cultivating the conditions for enduring freedom and peace.” In addition to traditional grantmaking Humanity United supports its grantees and partners with “network development, advocacy, strategic communications, and some HU-led initiatives.” Current grantmaking areas include human trafficking, peacebuilding and public engagement, which consists of subprograms for journalism and policy development toward global human rights.
Grants for Global Security and Human Rights
Human rights grantmaking stems mainly from Humanity United’s human trafficking and policy development initiatives. In the area of human trafficking, the foundation works to support worker agency, corporate accountability and safer migration around the world. In Thailand, the foundation has given to the Migrant Workers Rights Network, which develops leadership for information worker associations and provides legal assistance to formal and informal workers’ groups. Humanity United has also supported the U.S.-based Global Fairness Initiative, which partners with marginalized communities in developing countries to “enhance economic opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods.” In the area of policy development, Humanity United has assembled the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking, which “advocates for solutions to prevent and end all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery around the world.” In addition to articulating policy priorities, the Alliance makes recommendations to the U.S. Congress on funding recommendations for anti-trafficking and anti-slavery measures.
Grants for Violence Prevention
Humanity United makes grants for violence prevention through its peacebuilding initiative, which focuses on “locally led” peace-building initiatives in areas of conflict and “networks practices, and policies that elevate the voices of local peace builders in international conversations.” To this end, the foundation has supported Partners Global and ADESO, a Nairobi-based organization that works with poor communities to build resilience and develop leadership.
Grants for Journalism
Journalism grantmaking has increased significantly at Humanity United in recent years. In this area, the foundation aims to “engage media partners, journalists, and storytellers in order to educate audiences about important social issues” and to “help create the space for action and change.” The foundation names independence, integrity, transparency and inclusivity as its guiding principles for its journalism and media funding. Recent grantee partners include the Global Reporting Center, the Pulitzer Center, the Journalism Network and the New Humanitarian, a nonprofit news organization that covers underreported areas of the world.
Important Grant Details:
Humanity United’s annual grantmaking totals have varied widely over the past several years from over $20 million to less than $1 million. The foundation’s recent grants have ranged in amounts from $10,000 to about $2 million. This funder’s grantees tend to be medium- to large-sized, well-established NGOs working in the areas of human rights and conflict resolution. The foundation’s largest area of giving concerns the prevention and remediation of human trafficking. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s performance reports or its recent tax filings.
This funder is not accepting unsolicited proposals for funding at this writing. Interested grantseekers should sign up for the organization’s newsletter and check its website for updates periodically. General inquiries may be submitted via the foundation’s contact form.
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