It’s the season of giving
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.
All of these organizations have the highest rating by Charity Navigator, a trusted source. Always do your own research before donating.
Habitat for Humanity: In 2023 Habitat for Humanity helped 13.4 million people build or improve a place to call home. Honor the humanitarianism of President Jimmy Carter and the memory of First Lady Rosalynn Carter by funding a project or volunteering in your community. Habitat.org
ScholarMatch: Author Dave Eggers founded this nonprofit in 2010 as a way to help first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds. It provides scholarships and support all the way through to graduation. ScholarMatch.org
Donors Choose: Prospective donors can pick a school project to fund, from 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, about 4,000 scholarships are granted to motivated students. It also supports tribal colleges and universities. Collegefund.org
Travis Mills Foundation: Founder Mills lost portions of all of his limbs in an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan. Wounded 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. Travis millsfoundation.org
K9s for Warriors: K9s for Warriors provides highly trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. In a beautiful symmetry, dogs are rescued from shelters, then humans and dogs rescue each other. K9sforwarriors.org
Project HOPE: In 1958, Project HOPE founder William B. Walsh worked with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to charter a U.S. Navy hospital ship for $1 a year, to deliver medical supplies to areas of conflict around the world. Now a worldwide emergency response organization, its personnel in Israel, Gaza and Egypt are working with local authorities to coordinate the delivery of aid into Israel and Gaza. projecthope.org
Direct Relief: Founded by an Estonian immigrant to the U.S. in 1945, this organization responds to natural disasters and conflict around the world, providing emergency medical supplies and essentials to communities in need. Directrelief.org
Water Mission: 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
Meals on Wheels: Offering nutrition delivered to the door, this organization is a lifeline for the elderly.