This time of year can feel, well, overwhelming. And in the middle of all the 2020/COVID/election hot mess… I know I’ve been hitting some overwhelm. Look… I love a gift guide, and a wish list, as much as the next person, but I also know that times have been tough and at least for me, Giving Tuesday is feeling just as vital as Small Business Saturday (which I adore, and you should totally check out our round-up for that if you’re interested).
So, we decided to put together a list of ideas for places that you can send donations to this holiday season. 2020 has been hard on so many, and even without all the ‘2020-ness’ there is always a need, so if you have the means to help out, please consider it. It doesn’t have to be any of these suggestions, it can be whatever is close to your heart. But if you needed suggestions, we’ve got them for you right here.
The 2020-est places to donate
If this year has done anything, it has exposed some of the worst and hardest truths about our society, country, and world as a whole. It would be impossible to list all the charities and causes here that could use our support as 2020 comes to an end and 2021 begins. But, in light of *gestures* ALL the things this year, here are a few general ideas for places to donate this year. Don’t forget to lean into your local charities and causes, too.
- ACLU—This is an always favorite non-profit for me, but especially with all the good fights they’ve put up against 45, immigration rights, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and so much more over the last few years.
- Fair Fight / Anything Georgia Runoff—with the presidential election part complete(ish), we are now staring down the Georgia runoff elections on January 5th, and since it’s essentially the only way Democrats will be able to control the Senate… it’s vital. (P.S. Fair Fight is the PAC created by Stacey Abrams helping create fair elections in Georgia. It’s arguably the reason that Georgia went blue this year.)
- Color Of Change / NAACP—It feels like the election took over my brain for the last few weeks, so if you’re anything like me, let me hop in and just say… the fight for racial justice is far from over. Keep organizations like these in mind.
- Your Local Food Bank—this pandemic year has left so many struggling to get by with the basics. If you’re able, connect with local organizations, like food banks, and help out in that way.
Meg chose the Anti-Defamation League, the world’s leading organization fighting antisemitism. She also chose Children’s Mental Health Network, a cause close to her heart as she’s been navigating her own child’s mental health journey—they promote and advocate for the availability and effectiveness of high-quality services for children with mental health needs and their families.
Chelsea picked Planned Parenthood, for, in her words “obvious reasons” (hey, right-leaning Supreme Court). She also chose CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture), an organization dedicated to growing thriving communities through the power and joy of local food—something we could all use in 2020.
I picked two non-profits that are literally close to home for me. First, the Sacramento Kindness Campaign, which is a program I volunteer with here in California’s capital city—their current campaign is called Food For Families, and they’ve fed over 50,000 meals to families in need since the pandemic started. I also chose The Jack and Buena Foundation, which is an organization that oversees and runs a small summer camp in the mountains that I grew up attending—the pandemic caused them to pause all their programs for the year, so any funds will go towards ensuring low-income children from the California central valley can attend their character-building programming next season.
Keriann chose Walk the Walk 2020, a group that registered, supported, and helped to turn out African American and Latinx voters in key districts in swing states—they’re continuing their efforts for the Georgia Runoff elections. Walk the Walk 2020 isn’t exactly a non-profit, but it is a worthy cause this year. She also chose Seeding Sovereignty—an Indigenous-led collective, working to radicalize and disrupt colonized spaces through land, body, and food sovereignty work, community building, and cultural preservation. In November, their focus was on Native American Heritage Month and what they call Truthsgiving—a campaign aimed at sharing Indigenous People’s pasts, honoring Indigenous People’s present/presence, and being mindful of Indigenous People’s futures, not only as the original stewards of these lands, but as communities working together to ensure Indigenous People’s collective ability to thrive.
What about you, APW? Have you made any donations that are close to your heart this year? Do you have any in mind for Giving Tuesday? Share your ideas with us here.