There are 78 days left in 2026. Time flies, especially in the human rights movement!  

Between midterm elections and the ongoing work of our frontline partners, there’s still plenty to do before the year ends. Still, this is the season to start reflecting on our impact, readying ourselves to continue our commitments and take on new challenges.  

Check out six ways that UUSC advanced human rights in 2026: 

Community Protection Grants 

UUSC responded boldly to the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle USAID and target organizations that work in migration, climate, and gender justice. Our Board voted to release $1.5M in rapid response funding. We used those funds to support 87 organizations across five continents in the face of massive cuts. Our staff worked diligently and efficiently, successfully dispersing all funds in 2026.  

UU Solidarity Initiative 

The Congregational Relations team helped facilitate the UU Solidarity Initiative, a nationally coordinated effort of UU and UU-adjacent organizations. Through the Solidarity Initiative, we supported 68 UU ministers and faith leaders to join 700 other clergy from across the country in Minneapolis during the ICE raids. UUSC also partnered with the Solidarity Initiative on a national work permit comment campaign, fighting for asylum seekers’ right to work.  

Our Partners at Women Deliver 

Eight of our frontline partners attended the Women Deliver conference where they connected with global leaders advancing the rights of women, girls, and nonbinary people. The space built interregional solidarity, challenged dominant narratives, and extended the platform for our partners to speak directly with funders, policymakers, and coalitions. We also supported the public launch of the Pacific Rising Coalition. 

Haiti Wellness Retreat 

Our Haiti partners continue to defend and advance human rights while navigating ongoing political and security crises. They spoke with us about their fatigue and stress, and in response, UUSC hosted a 4-day retreat in Cap-Hatien. Here, our partners participated in various activities for rest and self-care. We are grateful for the opportunity to lean further into our holistic, intersectional understanding that mental wellness is essential in the human rights movement. 

Converging Futures 

Trans liberation and gender justice are not the “icing on the cake” of democracy; they are necessary for a functioning democratic society. Converging Futures, UUSC’s new convening, sought to organize across faith, gender justice, and democracy sectors. We hosted the event in Portugal in partnership with Faith in Democracy and a global team of advisors. Converging Futures brought together approximately 50 faith leaders, movement organizers, researchers, and funders. The convening underscored the urgency of cross-sector collaboration in the global struggle against authoritarianism.  

Pride in Action Campaign 

Unitarian Universalists know that trans rights are human rights, and that all people should have a safe place to live. When the Department of Housing and Urban Development sought to remove housing discrimination protections for LGBTQI+ people, we launched a public comment campaign designed to make an impact. While UUs make up about .038% of the U.S. population, our community was responsible for nearly 3% of all public comments. This campaign has successfully delayed the implementation of these policies and provides a legal basis to challenge them in court.  

The need to advance human rights is far from over, but with your support, UUSC can continue to further the work of our frontline partners. We will continue to follow their leadership, creating innovative opportunities for collaboration and platforming grassroots movements in international advocacy spaces. Contribute today to join our commitment, and stay tuned this season as we share more stories from 2026.