Foundation for a Just Society Supports Global Equity and Rights

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The Foundation for a Just Society (FJS) is a global grantmaker that supports democracy, human rights, women and girls' equity, and LGBTQI rights and justice. With over $1 billion in assets, FJS is one of the larger funders focused on gender justice issues through support for women-led movements. The foundation prioritizes unrestricted general grants and multi-year support, and provides grantee-driven accompaniment to foster organizational and movement strengthening.

Why it matters

In an era of rising authoritarianism globally, FJS's focus on defending democracy and supporting intersectional gender and racial justice movements is crucial. The foundation's flexible, trust-based approach to grantmaking empowers marginalized communities to develop sustainable, long-term solutions to systemic inequities.

The details

FJS's grantmaking strategies are defined by region, targeting the U.S. Southeast, Mesoamerica, Francophone West Africa, South and Southeast Asia, as well as global funding. Rather than maintaining distinct programs, the foundation conducts all of its work through a racial and gender justice lens with an intersectional approach. FJS awards single- and multi-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million, with a median grant size of about $125,000. While the foundation's largest grants tend to go to collaborative funds and regranters, many smaller and grassroots organizations also receive support.

• FJS was established in 2011 by Audrey Cappell, daughter of hedge fund Renaissance Technologies founder James Simons.
• FJS makes grants four times per year: March, June, September and November. Proposal invitations are extended two months prior to the grant approval dates.

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