Civil Rights Organizations (Non-Government)

Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are working to support your civil rights. These social justice organizations can educate you about your rights and help you take legal action. They can help if you've been the victim of:

• Racial profiling
• Discriminatory hiring practices
• Any other form of discrimination

This article provides links to many civil rights organizations. Also included is a brief description of each organization's focus.

General Civil Rights Organizations

The organizations below are dedicated to the protection of civil rights generally. Click on any of the links to learn more.

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting constitutional rights
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL) - The ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred, bias, and discrimination. The ADL focuses on building understanding and fostering civility and respect. The ADL uses education, civil rights programs, and international programs to achieve its goals
• CivilRights.org - A non-profit organization promoting and protecting all individuals' civil and human rights in the U.S.
• Southern Poverty Law Center - A non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate. It also seeks justice for vulnerable members of society

Support for Older People and People With Disabilities

Click on the links below to learn more about organizations advocating for the rights of older people and those with disabilities.

• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)- The AARP is a non-profit advocacy group. Its focus is on supporting the rights of individuals aged 50 and older
• Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund - Combats discrimination and prejudice against adults and children with disabilities. The organization uses policy reform, impact litigation, advocacy training, and education to create lasting system change

Ethnic and Racial Justice

Click on any of the links below to learn about organizations advocating for racial and ethnic equality and freedoms.

• Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund - A national organization protecting Asian American civil rights
• Asian Law Caucus - The nation's first legal and civil rights organization serving the low-income Asian Pacific American communities
• Civil Rights Project - UCLA - A group dedicated to researching civil rights and equal opportunity issues on behalf of racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
• Indian Law Resource Center - Provider of legal assistance to help Native Americans combat discrimination. This organization helps indigenous people protect their lands, environment, cultural heritage, and other human rights
• 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) - This group dedicates itself to eliminating racial discrimination and informing public policy. It seeks equality in all areas of American life, including criminal justice

Support for Women and the LGBTQ+ Community

The organizations below advocate for women's rights and the rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community. Click on any of the links to learn more.

• Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund - The oldest and largest national legal organization working to achieve equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
• League of Women Voters of the U.S. - A group dedicated to improving government. The organization seeks to engage all citizens in the decision-making process
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - The nation's oldest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual people. The organization promotes equal rights for same-sex couples. It fights to end discrimination against people due to their gender identity
• National Organization for Women - A non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to achieving women's equality

Employment and Voting Protections

Below, you'll find information about organizations protecting voting and employee rights. Click on any of the links to learn more.

• Center for Fair Voting and Democracy - This non-profit group advocates for electoral reform. The organization also advocates for voting rights
• Workplace Fairness- A non-profit public interest organization working to preserve and promote employee rights

Get Professional Legal Help From an Attorney

Non-profit human rights organizations are a significant resource for information about protecting your civil rights. Are you dealing with discrimination or another type of human rights abuse? Laws may differ between places like Washington, D.C., and New York. Get legal help. A civil rights attorney can assist you in resolving your situation and offer legal representation.