How do we persist in making change? Here are 5 charity organisations you can help to continue to support Charlottesville.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Hirsch
On Saturday night, I marched with nearly 100 protesters onto a freeway in Oakland to act in solidarity with the victims of the terrorism attack in Charlottesville and to stand against white supremacy. An hour and a half into the march, the leaders directed us away from the empty street that lay ahead, and people began instead to stream through cars that had been brought to a stand-still. As I walked past a sign that said, “DO NOT ENTER – WRONG WAY,” I realized we were walking up an on-ramp.
The march had started with hundreds of people, but after a few miles the numbers had started to dwindle. A few people began stepping to the side and turning back; many others continued. When we reached the freeway, a line of protesters had already stopped traffic in one direction – others had crossed the divide and were slowing cars on the other side.
When a protester set off fireworks behind me on the road, I jumped at the cracking sound, and I bit the inside of the cheek to stop my hands and legs from shaking. I was afraid. Standing against the lights of hundreds of cars that should have been racing past me at 60 miles per hour, I did not feel safe – I could not move.
I learned this past weekend there is a difference between speaking of action and taking it.I also learned there are different ways of taking action. When I looked above me to see where the firework had lit up the sky, I saw the faces of dozens of people who filled the walking bridge that stood over us. They were marchers I assumed had left. To see them crowd the bridge in support was meaningful – it was a reminder that there are several routes you can take to be present, to be proactive in making a difference. You may not have joined the protests that occurred this past weekend, but your assistance is welcomed – most importantly, it is needed.
There are many paths to change and we need all of them filled. We need people to stand on freeways and on bridges. Yet in the lulls between peaks of public response, we need people to be volunteers and donors. It has been four days since the tragedy in Charlottesville, and already the wave of public outrage and support has started to fall still. I have begun to ask myself, “What can I do to continueto help?” Below are five charities you can support, located in Charlottesville and Virginia at large, that promote inclusion, social justice, and aid for the direct community of Charlottesville to improve everyday life. These organizations have been making change before the horrific events of this weekend, and will continue to have an impact on their communities if we are here to support them.
Everyone has a part to play in order to hold our country accountable for where it has continually fallen short, to push ourselves to be the place the United States has often claimed to be and has never fully realized. All I can say is, you can make a difference.
International Neighbors assists refugee and SIV families in Charlottesville with resettling, health care, community involvement, and employment opportunities.
“Charlottesville benefits from our global community when we reach out as friends and “Great Neighbors.” – JenT
If you are interested in relief services that account for all: Islamic Relief USA
Islamic Relief USA provides human aid, including food security for those with dietary restrictions due to religious beliefs, on a state, national, and international level.
“They provided me an opportunity to really make a difference in a child’s life and I am forever grateful.” – Donor
The Student Press Law Center provides information and legal representation to student journalists to navigate First Amendment rights and press freedom and censorship.
“What begins as the advocacy of the SPLC, down the road, creates stronger and more responsible citizens of America.” – hillabeans26
Virginia Organizing is dedicated to democratic and nonviolent activism, working in Charlottesville and other areas of Virginia to stand up for marginalized groups and teach people how to use their voice to make change.
“They have helped make important changes in Virginia, empowering people to improve their communities so all voices are heard, not just holding on to the status quo.” – Volunteer
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities provides inclusivity training to make a difference in schools and businesses around Virginia.
“I’ve seen this program figuratively and literally change lives of the students who participate and I strongly believe that this is the way to change the world.” – Ally D.
Many of us have been inspired to give after hearing about a colleague, friend, or family member’s transformative experience giving to a cause. A donor sharing their giving experience has a powerful emotional impact on a 1-on-1 level, which can be multiplied through stories shared through social media or on other platforms.
Research (learn more in our blog post) in brain science by Uri Hasson at Princeton University provided evidence about why stories are such effective transmitters of feelings and ideas. The brain actually lights up in the same areas of the listener and the storyteller. Listeners to a story experience the same thoughts and emotions as the brain of the person telling the story.
This prompted our question: Can we show that donor stories actually lead to other donors getting motivated and inspired to give, in a way that can be measured?
There’s a lack of data-driven research measuring how donors telling their stories impact giving, what types of stories most motivate donors, and the best way for donors to tell their stories. With support from the Gates Foundation, we tested the impact of donors’ stories in video format on users of the GreatNonprofits website.
In today’s political climate, it often seems like some people count a lot more than others—and many seemingly don’t count at all. But the opportunity to help change that is now: As mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution, each resident of the United States is to be counted every decade. The last count took place in 2010, which means the 2020 Census is approaching fast, and there’s a lot at stake—political representation, for instance. Information collected is used to determine the number of seats your state will receive in the House of Representatives.
And one needn’t look past California to realize the importance of an accurate count: In 2000, the state gained an additional seat in Congress, thanks in large part to then-Governor Gray Davis setting aside $24.7 million to fund a groundbreaking statewide outreach campaign. California was one of only five states to meet the U.S. Census Bureau’s ’90 Plus Five challenge, which encouraged states to increase their 1990 Census response rates by 5 percent. 2010 was a different story, however: California did not invest nearly as much in community-based education and outreach and the state’s mail participation rate was 3 percent lower than in 2000; it did not pick up a new congressional seat.
Aside from proper representation in the House, the Census is also used to determine what percentage of $400 billion in federal funding goes to each state, for vital services such as schools, senior centers, hospitals, and job-training centers, as well as infrastructure projects. Over the span of a decade, that’s more than $4 trillion in funding.
Budget cuts to the U.S. Census Bureau threaten certain groups from sharing that pie equitably, however. “African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority populations are in danger of losing representation in Congress as well as their share of more than $400 billion a year in federal funds for health care, education, job training, and community development,” reported The American Prospect.
Nonprofits to the Rescue
So now that we know what your state stands to lose, what can nonprofits do to help make sure everyone is counted? Traditionally, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, low-income communities, children, and the homeless have been disproportionately undercounted. Nonprofits, through the nature of their work, have access to and intimate knowledge of these hard-to-reach populations.
Here are some of the ways nonprofits can help:
Reassure Immigrants and Minorities That It’s Safe. Given the current political climate, many immigrants and minorities may be suspicious of the Census’ purpose and therefore be hesitant to be counted. Trusted nonprofits can reassure immigrants and minorities that their answers to the Census survey are confidential, will only be used for statistics, and never be shared with any other government departments.
Educate, Motivate, and Activate. Immigrants and low-income people are often not familiar with the purpose or uses of the Census, and under-reporting of low-income people, especially children, is well-documented. Nonprofits that are visible in the community and speak immigrants’ home languages are particularly well positioned to help its clients understand the importance of being counted.
Help People Take the Online Survey. The budget for address canvassing has been reduced, and instead of traditional mail-in surveys, the 2020 Census will rely on an online survey. Low-income people will surely face technology barriers to filling out the Census online, but nonprofits can help fill that gap by providing computers, assistance with filling out the form, and language translation.
Encourage Community to Apply to Be Enumerators. Enumerators who speak the language and are trusted by their communities can have a huge impact on people’s willingness to first open their doors, and then provide personal information to a stranger. Nonprofits can reach out to encourage community members to apply to be Census enumerators, promote the job openings, and help with the job application process.
Countless members of the community benefit from the helping hand that nonprofits provide every day, and they need that help again to make sure their voice is heard in 2020. We can’t afford to wait until 2030 to get this right, and we need the help of the nonprofit community right now.
Learn more about what you can do to ensure a fair and accurate Census at www.censusoutreach.com.
Between climate change, oil spills, marine pollution, invasive species, loss of habitat, or overharvesting for consumption, it’s no wonder that turtles and tortoises are believed to be the most endangered vertebrates. They’ve inhabited the planet for more than 200 million years, yet roughly half of all species are currently threatened with extinction. For the past 17 years, May 23 has called attention to their plight in the form of World Turtle Day. Below are a few of the many organizations seeking to save them:
The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s mission to ensure the survival of sea turtles within the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Pacific through research, education, training, advocacy, and protection of the natural habitats upon which they depend.
“After 13 years as a volunteer and donor, I can report with confidence that this group does not stray from its mission to conserve sea turtle populations in the Atlantic and Caribbean. I have experienced no instances of personal agendas from any of the staff members, as often happens in nonprofit groups. All employees defer to the turtles and are dedicated to the research, advocacy, and education necessary to keep sea turtles on the path to recovery. As both a guide for nesting observation walks on the beach in Florida and as a field station research volunteer in Tortuguero, I feel that I am genuinely helping to save sea turtles from extinction. As a donor, I feel that my money is appreciated and used wisely. This is a truly worthy nonprofit, both of my time and my money. The STC is staffed by dedicated, intelligent, thoughtful people and the volunteer experience has been one of the most important experiences of my life. I hope to be active with them for decades to come.”
Through its Sea Turtle Restoration Project, the Turtle Island Restoration Network works to protect and restore endangered sea turtle populations worldwide. It does this in ways that meet the needs of both the turtles and the neighboring local communities, using grassroots action, multimedia campaigns, hands-on conservation, environmental education, and litigation.
“I have supported this organization since its birth. If you have any money to give, Sea Turtle Restoration Project will give you the most bang for your buck. I donate monthly knowing my money is being put to good use. Sea Turtle Restoration Project has a long history of great wins for the sea turtles, the health of the oceans and the planet. It’s easy to be part of this nonprofit and feel like you are making a meaningful contribution to the betterment of the planet. With STRP you will see your donations in action . . . it’s a good feeling.”
The Sea Turtle Recovery is dedicated to the rehabilitation, preservation, and conservation of sea turtles. In addition to rehabilitating sick or injured sea turtles for their release back to the wild, STR also educates the public on the important ecological role of sea turtles, threats endangering them, and ways to protect their future.
“I have known Brandy and Bill for the past several years. I was a volunteer who worked with them at a seal rescue facility. You could not ask for more dedicated, compassionate, and intelligent individuals. They would do whatever it took to save and rehabilitate an animal in their care. I totally support Sea Turtle Recovery because I trust the people running it. They are the best!”
To learn more about these organization and others doing similar work, please check out GreatNonprofits!
When occurring naturally, one to five species a year will go extinct. But according to the Center for Biological Diversity, dozens of species are now going extinct each day, with 30 to 50 percent of all species in danger of going extinct by the middle of this century. National Endangered Species Day, celebrated on the third Friday of May, seeks to call attention to this critical threat.
How can you help change this potentially bleak future? Supporting nonprofits that are working to protect species being pushed to the brink by humans is a good place to start. Here are a few of them:
Big Cat Rescue provides the best permanent home it can for the abused, abandoned, and retired cats in its care—by building enclosures in a very natural habitat with foliage and shelter on its 45-acre site, by providing the best nutritional and medical care possible, and by having active operant conditioning and enrichment programs to provide for their physical and psychological well-being. Its broader mission is to reduce the number of cats that suffer the fate of abandonment and/or abuse and to encourage preservation of habitat and wildlife.
“Big Cat Rescue provides an awesome service for big cats that, sadly, is more necessary now than ever. Big cats deserve to live in the wild, but there are so many in the hands of private citizens that are abused and neglected. BCR helps these animals and gives them a home for the rest of their lives, complete with plenty of food, enrichment, vet care, and love. BCR also plays an important role in advocacy for big cats, trying to help them in all areas. The world would be a much worse place without the staff and volunteers at Big Cat Rescue. I visited them in November 2014, and I wish I lived closer so I could visit over and over. To see these amazing animals is a rare treat, and to see them healthy and happy after what many of them have been through is nothing short of a miracle.”
The mission of Pandas International is to ensure the preservation and propagation of the endangered giant panda by providing public awareness and education; support for research, habitat preservation, and enhancement; and assistance to the Giant Panda Centers in China.
“We’ve supported Pandas International for several years. The staff and board are dedicated to helping giant pandas, which are facing extinction in the wild. PI supports equipment, science, education, and general operating costs for panda centers in China. Every year special collections are taken to assist with things like providing baby formula, for special equipment (i.e., incubators), and to encourage bamboo growth. When the Wolong Panda Center was destroyed by earthquakes, mudslides, and flooding, PI was there to help move the pandas, help the staff, and find new opportunities to continue the work so pandas can survive.”
The mission of the Northern Jaguar Project is to preserve and recover the world’s northernmost population of the jaguar, its unique natural habitats, and native wildlife under its protection as a flagship, keystone, and umbrella species.
“I’m so impressed by the motivation of everyone involved with NJP! This organization genuinely cares for the conservation of the jaguar and understands of an impressively deep level the impact these conservation efforts have on its surrounding communities and the environment, among many other things! NJP is also quite clearly an innovation hub for co-collaborative efforts to increase community awareness. They’re not only putting money and effort into expanding their reserve and conservation efforts, but also into education and partnership. So grateful for the energy and love they put into conservation of the undeniably beautiful jaguar and the reserve!”
To learn more about these nonprofits and others like them, check out GreatNonprofits!
Watch Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund’s Jody Chang discuss her experience with Eastside College Preparatory School and its low-income, underserved students.
Watch Social Venture Partners’ Sandra Hughes discuss her experience with Whole Again, which among its other programs helps ensure that children who receive subsidized meals during the school year get two meals a day during the summer.
For more than 60 years, National Bike Month has celebrated the many benefits of biking, from preserving both your health and your environment to saving you both time and money. Perhaps the biggest day of the month-long festivities is Bike to Work Day, held this Friday, May 19.
According to the League of American Bicyclists, sponsor of National Bike Month, 40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, which means participating this Friday will be easy for many of us. And many of us do participate—the league says that from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent. (more…)
Created in 2008 by the American Public Gardens Association and celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day, National Public Gardens Day seeks to raise awareness of public gardens and the important role they play in their communities and on a global scale.
Many public gardens nationwide celebrate the day with special events, so make sure you get out there and visit one on Friday! Here are just a few of them: (more…)
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 5 million people worldwide have a form of lupus, including 1.5 million Americans. Yet despite those numbers, 73% of Americans ages 18–34 either haven’t heard about lupus or know little or nothing about lupus beyond the name. It’s that lack of awareness of this widespread disease that World Lupus Day, commemorated on May 10, seeks to combat. Here are some organizations seeking to bring comfort to those suffering from it: (more…)
According to Money magazine, teachers on average spend roughly $500 of their own money a year on school supplies. And for one in 10, that total rises to $1,000 or more. And that is just one of the many reasons why on Tuesday, May 9 we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Day. (more…)
Each year, stroke kills more than 130,000 Americans annually—that’s 1 out of every 20 deaths. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 4 minutes, someone dies of one. Here are some other numbers to consider, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes; about 185,00 strokes—nearly 1 of 4—are in people who have had a previous stroke.
In 2009, 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were less than 65 years old.
Stroke costs the United States an estimated $33 billion each year.
In recognition of American Stroke Month, we’ve compiled a few of the many nonprofits working to provide education and assistance to stroke victims and their loved ones: (more…)
The first Tuesday of May is designated as National Foster Care Day, which help kicked off National Foster Care Month. And calling attention to the needs of the more than 400,000 children currently in the often broken foster care system is understandable:
Only half of youth in foster care graduate high school
20 percent of foster children experience homelessness within a year of aging out of care
33 percent of 17- and 18-year-old women in foster care are pregnant or parenting
More than 70 percent of inmates were at one point in the foster care system
Below are just a few of the many nonprofits working to make the lives of foster children a much happier one: (more…)
The last Friday in April commemorates Arbor Day, and people are encouraged to celebrate the holiday by planting a tree. Sound like a lot of work? It can be, but if you are on a mission to beautify your neighborhood and clean the air you breathe, there are organizations out there that can help you do just that. Here are a few of them: (more…)
Watch the Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs’ LaRae Scott-Jennings explain why the word philanthropist doesn’t have to be intimidating, and what she has personally gained from her giving.
April 26 is designated as National Audubon Day, in memory John Audubon, the famed ornithologist, naturalist, and painter born on this date in 1785. Audubon is known for his extensive studies of American birds and his detailed illustrations of the birds in their natural habitats.
Unfortunately, not every bird can remain in its natural habitat. Luckily, there are many great nonprofits working to provide sanctuary for these birds. Here are some of the top-rated ones doing just that: (more…)
April 26 marks the fifth annual Help a Horse Day. According to the ASPCA, it’s a day for equine rescues and sanctuaries to raise awareness about the lifesaving work they do year-round to care for at-risk horses in their community who have often been abused or neglected.
The organization also notes that horses have been central to the ASPCA’s work since its founding 150 years ago, when Henry Bergh stopped a cart driver from beating his horse, resulting in the first successful arrest for the mistreatment of a horse on April 26, 1866.
Here are five of our top-rated nonprofits dedicated to the well-being of horses: (more…)
Watch SV2’s Laura Lauder discuss the two Jewish values that inspire her to give, and the nonprofit that’s very special to her that embodies both of these values.
Through its Sea Turtle Restoration Project, the Turtle Island Restoration Network works to protect and restore endangered sea turtle populations worldwide. It does this in ways that meet the needs of both the turtles and the neighboring local communities, using grassroots action, multimedia campaigns, hands-on conservation, environmental education, and litigation.
The mission of Pandas International is to ensure the preservation and propagation of the endangered giant panda by providing public awareness and education; support for research, habitat preservation, and enhancement; and assistance to the Giant Panda Centers in China.
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