Haymarket's mission focuses on supporting community organizing as the cornerstone for creating an equitable, peaceful, and humane world. They prioritize efforts led by those most affected by injustice, concentrating on changing the underlying power structures that perpetuate inequity. Central to their mission is the belief that effective organizing must be anti-racist, acknowledging the impact of racism and other forms of oppression on all social movements in the United States.
Haymarket's Grant Making Strategy supports community organizing that addresses the root causes of societal problems, led by and accountable to those most affected by these issues. The grants support groups with strong leadership from the affected constituency, anti-racist and anti-oppression values, and a commitment to building wider movements for change. Unlike many other funders, Haymarket does not fund basic needs services, self-help programs, or advocacy unless part of a broader organizing strategy. They are open to funding cultural initiatives and resources for organizing, such as workshops, conferences, and media work, provided they are linked to ongoing community organizing or accountable to social change movements. Additionally, Haymarket offers Urgent Response Grants up to $5,000 for grassroots organizations facing unforeseen crises or opportunities that significantly impact their work and community, including unexpected events, political crises, or organizing chances.