We work to eradicate systemic injustices through litigation, advocacy, education, and grant-making.

WHY SUPPORT US

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center works to improve the economic well-being and social conditions of disadvantaged persons and groups
in the United States in two ways:

Litigation: BMSJC provides high-quality legal representation in social justice cases to underserved and underrepresented communities across the country.

Grant Making: We select nonprofits working directly on legal cases and provide them with funding specific for litigation expenses.

Education: We educate the public on civil rights issues through a variety of media formats such as articles, videos, blogs, podcasts, speeches, and presentations.  

Advocacy: We conduct and coordinate state and national issue advocacy to promote, protect, and defend the civil rights of underrepresented communities.

SEE OUR CASE FOR SUPPORT.

DONATE BY CHECK

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center
3607 Whispering Lane
Falls Church, VA 22041

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center is recognized by the IRS as a public charity and tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization.

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center is available to accept cy pres awards from class action settlements to support our grantmaking efforts.

Note: Givebutter is the company the Foundation uses for gifts made via credit or debit card. Upon receipt of your contribution, the transaction will appear as “Givebutter” on your credit or debit card statement.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CY PRES AWARDS

  • “We are honored and fortunate to have received critical support from the Foundation. On behalf of our organization and the many thousands of people who have benefitted from the work made possible by your support, we thank you for the strategic investments you have made in high impact advocacy across the country.”

    Florida Institutional Legal Services, 2014 Grantee

  • “Thanks to the Barbara McDowell Foundation we were able to protect the rights of individuals to share and receive food in accordance with their religious and moral convictions, setting forth a precedent that has helped prevent similar laws elsewhere.”

    Maria Foscarinis, Executive Director, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2012 Grantee