Advocacy and Civil Rights

The following organizations preserve civil rights and advocate for human dignity and fair treatment and range from support of constitutional liberties, access to the arts and athletic activities, narrowing education gaps, and environmental protection.

Note: Career Services Office offers no endorsement of and assumes no liability for the currency, accuracy, or availability of any information on these sites.

AFS Intercultural Programs, New York, NY
Dedicates community-based volunteership to a more just and peaceful world through international student exchange.

After School Corporation, The, New York, NY
Helps students improve academic success, gain access to artistic and athletic activities, and stay safe during afterschool hours.

American Arts Alliance, Washington, DC
Advocates for professional nonprofit arts organizations and their publics, representing and advancing arts interests and support before Congress and other branches of government.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Washington, DC
Defends and preserves individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the constitution and laws of the United States.

American Council on Education (ACE), Washington, DC
Influences public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives and provides leadership and unifying voice on key higher education issues.

American Councils for International Education, Washington, DC
Advances education and research worldwide through international programs that provide the global perspective essential for academic and professional excellence.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL), New York, NY
Fights anti-semitism, bigotry and extremism, securing justice and fair treatment for all citizens.

Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools (BayCES),
Oakland, CA
Assists urban schools, districts and community groups in the creation or redesign of schools.

Center for Education Reform, Washington, DC
Offers leadership, products and services for bettering the future of children and their schools.

Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), New York, NY
Brings together all who are engaged in the transmission of their Jewish heritage.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc, Washington, DC
Commits resources to preparing the next generation of leaders by sponsoring national experiential education programs to students ranging from grade eleven through graduate school.

Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) , Washington, DC
Dedicates efforts to improve and advance graduate level education.

Creative Associates International Inc, Washington, DC
Assists governments, communities, non-government organizations, and private companies worldwide to lead, manage change.

Education Trust, The , Oakland, CA; Washington, DC
Advocates and researches narrowing achievement gaps in public education.

Everywoman's Center, Amherst, MA
Sponsors programs designed to serve and empower women.

Facing History and Ourselves National Foundation Inc, Boston, MA
Engages students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice and anti-semitism, promoting the development of a more humane and inform citizenry.

FairTest:  The National Center for Fair and Open Testing, Boston, MA
Advocacy organization works to end the abuses, misuses and flaws of standardized testing, ensuring fair and educationally sound evaluation of students and workers.

Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN), Boston, MA
Offers services to parents, parent groups and others concerned about children with needs.

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (FFCMH), Washington, DC
Parent-run organization supports the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families.

Forum for Youth Investment, The, Washington, DC
Dedicates resources to quality community investment in youth involvement.

Girls' Coalition of Greater Boston, Boston, MA
Unites practitioners, researchers, funders and policymakers in support of the healthy, social and emotional development of girls and young women.

Girls Inc, New York, NY
Offers education programs that inspire all girls, especially those from high risk, underserved areas to be strong, smart and bold.

Institute for Responsive Education, Boston, MA
Encourages and supports school/family/community partnerships that better educational opportunities for all children.

International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), Washington, DC
As an information clearning house on elections, rule of law, governance and civil society, provides professional advice and technical assistance in promoting democracy.

Jobs for the Future (JFF), Boston, MA
Strengthens society by creating educational and economic opportunity for those in need.

Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, MA
Improves the lives of children whose emotional and behavioral problems threaten to limit their potential.

MDRC, New York, NY
Aims to build knowledge that improves the well-being of low-income people using social research to effect public policies and programs.

Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), Boston, MA
Protects and promotes the rights and well-being of children and families.

Maternal and Child Health Coalition (MCHC), Kansas City, MO
Helps every mother and child in the Kansas City area to be healthy.

National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), Washington, DC
Supports language-minority students attending American schools.

National Association on Alcohol, Drugs and Disability (NAADD), San Mateo, CA
Promotes awareness and education about substance abuse among people with co-existing disabilities.

National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), Washington, DC
Dedicates efforts to policies, tools and technical assistance that the US needs to lead the world in education and training.

National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), New York, NY
Promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.

National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Washington, DC
Reduces poverty and discrimination and improves life opportunities for Hispanic Americans.

National Education Association (NEA), Washington, DC
Devotes resources to advancing public education.

National Head Start Assocation (NHSA), Washington, DC
Provides national forum for the representation of and continued support of Head Start services for disadvantaged children ages 0-5 and their families.

National League of Cities, Washington, DC
Strengthens and promotes cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance.

National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), Washington, DC
Offers community services to more than 134 developing countries.

National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, DC
Leads, educates and advocates the saving of America's diverse historic places and revitalizing communities.

NetAid, New York, NY
Educates, inspires and empowers young people in the plight to fight global poverty.

Partnership for Public Service, Washington, DC
Revitalizes public service to improve government performance.

Peace Corps, Washington, DC
Provides community services to 132 developing countries.

Peace Games, Cambridge, MA
Teaches skills of conflict resolution and peace-making to elementary school students through role-playing, games and community service projects.

Project Bread, Boston, MA
Prevents, alleviates and ends hunger by providing emergency food and increasing public awareness. Positive action includes annual Walk for Hunger.

Project HEALTH, Boston, MA
Unites creative energy of undergraduates, expert knowledge of medical professionals and the first-hand experience of families to ensure that every child grows up free from the obstacles imposed by poor health.

Public Agenda, New York, NY
Offers nonpartisan, nonprofit public opinion research and citizen education.

Public Interest Research Groups, Boston, MA
Advocates environmental protection, consumer rights, and student empowerment.

Tanenbaum Center, New York, NY
Diffuses verbal and physical violence perpetrated by religious differences.

Teach for America, New York, NY
Trains and places a national corps of recent college graduates from a range of academic backgrounds to teach in disadvantaged urban and rural public schools for two years.

United Nations, New York, NY
Central in global efforts to solve problems that challenge humanity.

Urban Strategies Council, San Francisco, CA
Reduces poverty and transforms low-income neighborhoods into vibrant, healthy communities.

Vera Institute of Justice, New York, NY
Designs and implements programs that encourage just practices in public services and improves the quality of urban life.

Women's Edge, Washington, DC
Supports women's economic development and global equality.

Women Express/Teen Voices, Boston, MA
Builds social change movement for girls through journalistic expression online and in print.