We are heading into a time of significant consumer spending by most of us and also a time when charitable giving is front and center. I wanted to share a few of the charities I have supported over the years in case these inspire anyone else. I’m always looking for places to give where I feel I am making a personal impact, when I can’t give of my time or physical efforts. There is also a fine line between giving and feeling like a White savior that I walk closely and carefully. I have used the Charity Navigator site before to search the details of charities that felt “sketchy” to me, or to ensure that I know where my donations go. I don’t think we talk about this enough so I am making my thoughts public.

Here are a few places I have found worthy of my support. I would love to here other suggestions.

• Project Night Night – This organization provides individual packages for children who are unhoused. The packages always include a book, a blanket and an animal – small tokens that can provide security for a child living in uncertain circumstances. The guarantee of a child owning one book makes my readerly heart sing!
• The Trevor Project and The San Diego LGBT Community Center – One national and one local organization, both providing support for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Trevor Project is an incredible resource and the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health support provider for the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Together Rising – This organization was created by Glennon Doyle and an incredible team “to turn our collective heartbreak into effective action”. Hearing Glennon, Amanda, and Abby speak about their work on their podcast We Can Do Hard Things helps me know that this organization gets resources directly into the hands of women, children, people of color and marginalized people in our society who are stuck behind systemic barriers not of their own making.
• San Diego Food Bank – I have an aunt who worked for her local food bank for years, and did so much good through their organization that I support food banks when I can. I donate to my local city one, and during the Maui fires I donated to the Maui Food Bank to support from afar.
  • Water for South Sudan – I discovered this organization after reading the book A Long Walk to Water, which is based on the true story of Salva Dut. I had the honor to meet Salva and hear from him personally at a book event with some work friends last year. When I know the personal story of someone, hear their experiences in their home country, and know the specific work they are doing with locals in the area to bring clean water to villages, I want to support them directly.
  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – Not only do I love this actor as a performer and a human, but I have seen what Parkinson’s does and want to support research.
  • Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center and Melanoma Research Foundation – In honor of my mom, who lost her battle with Melanoma (#CancerSucks).
  • Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – In honor of my aunt who lost her battle with Pancreatic Cancer (#CancerSucks).

When we have local, national and global crises, I will often find specific reputable charities who are helping on the ground, in the moment. When rights are being taken away from groups, or hate for a specific group is growing, often around election cycles, I will also donate more towards those groups. In addition to donations, I use the power of voting, writing to my elected officials, attending marches, being an activist, and using the privilege I live in to be a voice for those who aren’t invited to the tables or whose safety is in danger in places where mine is not.

What charities do you donate to and why?