Dear Readers: As I offer my 20th annual year-end “charity roundup,” I’d like to remind readers that while charity truly does begin at home, it need not stay there.
Those who can afford to share their material wealth should give abundantly, donating locally to the local library, after-school program, hospice center, arts organizations, historical society and animal shelter.
Acts of kindness and compassion are always worth their weight in gold: Shoveling a walk for a neighbor, writing a letter to an elder and volunteering at the local food bank are all ways to express your generosity.
All of the organizations I recommend have the highest rating by Charity Navigator, a trusted source. Always do your own research before donating, and choose organizations that align with your own values.
Supplying shelter:
Habitat for Humanity: In 2023 Habitat for Humanity helped 13.4 million people build or improve a place to call home. You can honor the humanitarian generosity of President Jimmy Carter and the memory of first lady Rosalynn Carter by funding a project or volunteering in your own community. Habitat.org.
Supporting education:
ScholarMatch: Author Dave Eggers founded this nonprofit in 2010 as a way to help first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds attend college. They provide scholarships and full support all the way through to graduation. ScholarMatch.org.
Donors Choose: Prospective donors can choose a specific classroom project to fund — from donating art supplies and musical instruments to classroom technology and gym equipment. Donorschoose.org.
American Indian College Fund: The mission is simple — to send Native American and Alaska Native students to college. Every year, around 4,000 scholarships are granted to motivated students. They also support accredited tribal colleges and universities. Collegefund.org.
Serving service members: The needs of veterans are wide-ranging. These organizations serve veterans.
Travis Mills Foundation: Founder Travis Mills lost portions of all of his limbs due to an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan. He coined the term “recalibrated veteran” to describe those wounded in service.
These veterans and their families are brought to a retreat center in Maine for an adaptive, barrier-free opportunity to regroup, relax and connect with other veterans and their families. Travismillsfoundation.org.
K9s for Warriors: “Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s for Warriors provides highly trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma,” the organization’s website states. In a beautiful symmetry, service dogs are rescued from shelters, and then humans and dogs rescue each other. K9sforwarriors.org.
Emergency response for victims of war in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine
Project HOPE: In 1958, Project HOPE founder Dr. William B. Walsh worked with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to charter a U.S. Navy hospital ship for $1/year, to deliver medical supplies to areas of conflict around the world.
Now a worldwide emergency response organization, personnel in Israel, Gaza, and Egypt are working with local authorities to coordinate the delivery of aid into both Israel and Gaza. projecthope.org.
Direct Relief: Founded by an Estonian immigrant to America in 1945, this organization responds to natural disasters and conflict in America and around the world, providing emergency medical supplies and essentials directly to communities in need. Directrelief.org.
Other groups offering life-changing relief are Doctors Without Borders and International Rescue Committee.
WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene services): Safe drinking water is necessary for human and animal health and well-being.
Water Mission is a Christian-based charity founded in South Carolina by Molly and George Greene, who were inspired to use their professional skill (building water treatment plants) to benefit those in dire need. Now with projects in 60 countries, the group builds water plants and trains local people to operate and maintain them — bringing safe drinking water to an estimated 8 million people. Watermission.org.
Feeding people: The act of offering food is a beautiful mission of connection. These groups feed the hungry.
Meals on Wheels: Offering nutrition delivered to the door, this organization was a lifeline for the elderly during the pandemic, and beyond. Donate locally or sign up to volunteer through Mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
World Central Kitchen: Founded by chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen mobilizes local chefs to deliver food and hot meals to first responders and displaced people around the world. WCK trucks containing food and water are now serving Gaza. Their motto: “Food is a universal human right.” Wck.org.
Reproductive rights:
Since its founding over a century ago, Planned Parenthood has provided reproductive health care, education and abortion services.
Interested donors should give directly to a clinic serving an underserved community — through a search on the organization’s website: Plannedparenthood.org.