Where to Donate Right Now

Every year, my siblings and I do group holiday donations to a charity. After years of picking names, couple gifts, and the like, we finally decided to just all pitch in for a charity – changing which one of us gets to pick the charity each year!

I don’t know if I can truly express how much I love it. It’s much easier, much less expensive, and leads to a much more sustainable holiday season!

Whether you’re trying a new tactic with siblings or have some people on your list that would likely appreciate the donation in their name rather than something new, holiday donations are a great gift idea.

The best part is how many organizations are out there. You can support local, donate to business bureaus, help organizations fighting for voting rights and workers rights. You can try to save all of the animals or just one of the animals. The options seriously are endless. And the amount you donate doesn’t matter. Donate $10 or donate $1000 – whatever you feel comfortable with!

The great thing about group donations is that you can make a bigger donation without anyone feeling obligated to donate more than they can afford.

Where to Donate for the Holidays

Here is a list (that I will continually add to) of organizations to donate to. The descriptions are all pulled from their respective websites. I encourage you to research the organization individually to find one that best resonates with your heart!

There is also a topical list below of organizations to find in your own area as well as list for Sacramento-area organizations!

Who Should Donate This Year

While anytime is a good time for everyone to donate, 2020 has brought us a unique set of circumstances. Times have been difficult for just about all of us for one reason or another, but if you are among the fortunate with job security and food security this year, we have to step up.

So many people have lost jobs. Kids have lost access to food at groups. This just isn’t acceptable.

Also because of trying times, many people have cut their donations to all organizations, so they need help more than ever.

I can’t tell you where to spend your dollars, but I encourage you to donate – however big or small. All of us had struggles this year. We need to help those with struggles different from ours.

Hunger/Water Charities

Feeding America {option to donate locally to food banks}

“The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the United States and leads the nation to engage in the fight against hunger.”

Action Against Hunger

“Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes.”

Heifer International

“We work in 21 countries around the world alongside local farmers and business owners. We support farmers and their communities as they mobilize and envision their futures, provide training so they can improve the quantity and quality of the goods they produce, and connections to market to increase sales and incomes.”

No Kid Hungry

“We have plenty of food in the United States. And we have child nutrition programs that work. The problem is that not enough kids are able to access them.
“That’s a problem we know how to solve[…]school breakfast[,…]summer meals[,…]afterschool meals[,…] food skills education…”

Navajo Water Project

“1 in 3 Navajo still don’t have a sink or a toilet. So we bring clean, hot and cold running water to families across New Mexico, Utah and Arizona… Our work began with a single family in Thoreau, NM — the Bensons — and has grown to serve more than 250 families across 9 towns in New Mexico alone. In 2018, we opened new project offices in Navajo Mountain, UT and Dilkon, AZ as we continue expanding across the Navajo Nation.”

Support BIPOC Communities

Black & Brown Founders

“Less than 2% of venture capital goes to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs, yet they are the driving force behind business creation in the United States…Our organization has organized several national events, offers a virtual training program, and a virtual conference to help Black and Latinx entrepreneurs at the earliest stage of their journey cross the chasm from idea to revenue.”

American Indian Science & Engineering Society

“In addition to awarding nearly $12 million and counting in academic scholarships, AISES offers internships, professional development and career resources, national and regional conferences, leadership development summits, and other STEM-focused programming.”

National Black Chamber of Commerce 

“The National Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African-American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the US and via interaction with the African Diaspora.”

Black Girls Code

“To increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. To provide African-American youth with the skills to occupy some of the 1.4 million computing job openings expected to be available in the U.S. by 2020, and to train 1 million girls by 2040.”

Code 2040

“Code2040 is a nonprofit activating, connecting, and mobilizing the largest racial equity community in tech to dismantle the structural barriers that prevent the full participation and leadership of Black and Latinx technologists in the innovation economy. Through events, trainings, early-career programs, and knowledge sharing, Code2040 equips Black and Latinx technologists and their allies with the tools, connections, and care they need to advocate for and achieve racial equity in the tech industry.”

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering

“NACME is the largest provider of college scholarships for underrepresented minorities pursuing degrees at schools of engineering… To enrich society with an American workforce that champions diversity in STEM by increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in engineering and computer science.”

Miry’s List

“Miry’s List provides a mechanism for people to directly help new arrival refugee families with the things that they need to get started in their new lives – from diapers to beds to cleaning supplies and toiletries.”

Fighting for Labor Rights

The Garment Worker Center

“Garment Worker Center is a worker rights organization leading an anti-sweatshop movement to improve conditions for tens of thousands of Los Angeles garment workers. Through direct organizing, GWC develops leaders who demand enforcement of strong labor laws and accountability from factory owners, manufacturers, and fashion brands. We center immigrant workers, women of color, and their families who are impacted by exploitation in the fashion industry.”

Fair Trade Certified

“Fair Trade USA helps producers access better wages, safe working conditions, and environmental protections. Your donation gives the people who produce your food, furniture, and clothing the capacity to invest in a better future.”

Save Animals Near + Far – Holiday Donations

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals {ASCPA}

“The ASPCA is a national leader in animal rescue and protection, working tirelessly to put an end to animal abuse and neglect. As an ASPCA Guardian, you can fight cruelty and give animals nationwide a second chance at life.”

World Wildlife Fund

“Our mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.”
You can donate to protect a specific animal.

Wild is Life

“We are a genuine Wildlife Sanctuary, catering for injured, orphaned and rescued wildlife, as well as Endangered and Specially protected species…We then grew substantially during the rocky and disturbing times of Zimbabwe, where we opened our arms to numerous species of wild mammals that needed a safe haven from the chaos that was prevailing.”

See Our Visit to Wild is Life Here

Land Conservation Charities – Holiday Donations

Yosemite Park Conservancy

“We’re a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Yosemite’s resources and providing enriching visitor experiences in the park. Our philanthropic partnership with Yosemite goes back more than 95 years.”

Rainforest Action Network

“Rainforest Action Network preserves forests, protects the climate and upholds human rights by challenging corporate power and systemic injustice through frontline partnerships and strategic campaigns.”

National Parks Conservation Association

“We’re protecting and enhancing America’s National Park System for present and future generations.”

Alliance for International Reforestation

“AIR’s mission is to implement educational programs, reforestation, and regenerative farming methods in Central America in order to protect water sources, build soil health, prevent mudslides and erosion, prevent lung disease and provide more nutritious crops—while protecting the Earth. We choose Hope.”

Local Charity Ideas

For these local charities, they often accept help in terms of time – not just monetary donations!

Food Banks (a general search will also return results for multiple food pantries – often communities have more than one)

Local Business Associations, including those focused on people of color and female-owned businesses.

Youth Services

Homeless Shelters

Sacramento Charities – Holiday Donations

Verity Project

“The Verity Project provides food service workers affordable, direct and local access to professional mental health support. “

River City Food Bank

Central Downtown Food Basket

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Women’s Empowerment

“The mission of Women’s Empowerment is to educate and empower women who are experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children.”

Aging UP

Wind Youth Service

Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce

“Established in 1985, the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce (SBCC) was organized to bring African American business owners and professionals together to create a solid economic structure within Sacramento’s business community. The SBCC is a network of dedicated, high-energy business professionals working together to improve the economic, cultural, and civic well being of the African American community.”