The aims of the International Human Rights Funders Group are to improve the strategic effectiveness of funding for human rights; to expand the extent to which funders across a range of issue areas incorporate a human rights framework into their grantmaking; to extend linkages and collaboration among human rights funders around the globe; and, ultimately, to increase overall funding for human rights.

IHRFG values its identity as a small organization that emphasizes member participation and peer leadership. We utilize three primary programmatic strategies: education and convening, policy and research, and membership and communications.

Education and Convening

IHRFG opens up multiple opportunities for funders to explore critical human rights issues and human rights grantmaking strategies. We promote exchange and collaboration among grantmakers while providing a chance for funders to meet colleagues. IHRFG hosts conferences, intensive institutes, funder learning visits, policy briefings, and educational teleconferences and webinars. Learn more about our Education and Convening work.

Policy and Research

IHRFG helps funders access information integral to human rights grantmaking.  Our current priority is mapping the current scope and landscape of human rights funding. This project focuses on capturing how, and how much, funding goes to human rights, strengths and gaps in human rights funding and trends in the field over time. IHRFG also informs its members of opportunities for engagement with policy developments relevant to human rights grantmaking, both within the U.S. and globally. Learn more about our Policy and Research work.

Membership and Communications

As a peer-led network that consists of nearly 700 individuals and 300 grantmaking institutions based in the United States and around the world, IHRFG serves as a catalyst for opportunities for its members to network and work collaboratively. This includes information exchange via working groups, an e-newsletter, and our members-only online space. Learn more about the benefits of membership with IHRFG.