Civil Rights Organizations (Non-Government)

A number of non-governmental organizations work to support the civil rights of individuals in a wide range of areas. Whether you've been the victim of racial profiling, discriminatory hiring practices, or any other form of discrimination, there are organizations available to educate you about your rights and help you pursue legal recourse. Explore the links below to learn more about the work of each civil rights organization.

• American Association of Retired Persons - The AARP is a non-profit advocacy group working to support the rights of individuals age 50 and older.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the individual rights and liberties provided under the Constitution.
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL) - The Anti-Defamation League fights anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred, bias and discrimination through education, civil rights and international programs, building understanding and fostering civility and respect.
• Asian Law Caucus - The nation's first legal and civil rights organization serving the low-income Asian Pacific American communities
• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund - A national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian
• Center for Fair Voting and Democracy - A non-profit group that advocates for electoral reform and voting rights.
• Civil Rights Project - UCLA (was Harvard University) - A group dedicated to researching issues of civil rights and equal opportunity for racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
• CivilRights.org - A non-profit organization working to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all individuals in the U.S.
• Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund - Combats discrimination and prejudice against adults and children with disabilities using policy reform, impact litigation, advocacy training, and education to create lasting system change.
• Indian Law Resource Center - Providing legal assistance to help Indian/Alaska Native nations combat discrimination and protect their lands, environment, cultural heritage, and other human rights. Fights for justice for indigenous peoples.
• Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund - The oldest and largest national legal organization working to achieve equal rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people.
• League of Women Voters of the U.S. - A group dedicated to improving government and engaging all citizens in the decision-making process.
• Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund - One of the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organizations.
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - A group dedicated to eliminating race-based discrimination and ensuring equality in all areas of American life.
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - The nation's oldest group for lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual people. The organization promotes equal rights for same sex couples and fights to end discrimination against people due to the their gender identity.
• National Organization for Women - A non-profit organization dedicated to achieving women's equality.
• Southern Poverty Law Center - A non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and seeking justice for vulnerable members of society.
• Workplace Fairness- A non-profit organization working to preserve and promote employee rights.

Get Professional Legal Help from an Attorney

Non-profits are a significant resource for information about protecting your civil rights. If you are dealing with discrimination and other civil rights violations, then the next step is to get legal help. A civil rights attorney can assist you with detailed information about how your situation can be resolved.