The International Human Rights Funders Group (IHRFG) is a global network of grantmakers and philanthropists committed to advancing human rights around the world through effective philanthropy. Our aims are to improve the use, reach and strategic effectiveness of existing funding for human rights; to increase overall human rights funding; to expand the extent to which funders across issue areas incorporate a human rights framework into their grantmaking; and to extend linkages among human rights funders around the globe. We are an affinity group affiliated with the Council on Foundations.

 

Approach

IHRFG’s approach is based on seven core “inquiry questions” through which we guide our work and growth:

How do we…

-assist funders in strengthening the strategic effectiveness of their human rights grantmaking?

-cultivate thought leadership among human rights grantmakers, through which we challenge ourselves and others?

-foster collaboration, connection and community among human rights funders?

-develop into a network more truly global in participation and perspective?

-broaden involvement among grantmakers in important policy issues critical to human rights funding?

-expand the extent to which funders across a range of issue areas incorporate a human rights framework into their grantmaking? and, 

-ultimately, how do we increase overall funding for human rights?

 

PROGRAMS

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.

 

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.

 

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.