What do you give that person on your holiday list that already has everything? (Or, better yet, doesn’t want anything.) The older we get the more we know how true it is that it’s the thought, not the gift itself, that counts.
There’s a caveat to that ethos, though. What if the gift is bigger in spirit and meaning? We’re talking about supporting great causes and charity work. These are gifts for anyone, of course, but for the hard-to-shop-for–the person not so focused on material things, these are the greatest of gifts—especially for the people, animals, and communities they impact.
Need some ideas? These are some of the organizations I love supporting. Maybe they’ll make it under your Christmas tree this year, too.
1. Animal Equality
Contribute to ending animal cruelty and a kinder planet. Animal Equality works with society, governments, and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals.
2. Farm Sanctuary
Sponsor a rescued farm animal under the care of Farm Sanctuary. This organization was America’s first shelter for rescued farm animals and it continues to rescue farm animals as well as provide education and resources.
3. RE-volv
Why not help fund a solar energy project right in your community? RE-volv helps you do just that so that energy costs can come down for local residents and more clean energy goes up.
4. Mercy Corps
For 40 years and in more than 40 countries, Mercy Corps has helped communities forge new paths to prosperity in the face of disaster, poverty, and the impacts of climate change.
5. Ethical Choices Program
Help middle and high school children make better food decisions for themselves and the planet through the great work of the Ethical Choices Program.
6. Orangutan Foundation International
80% of the orangutan population has been lost in the past 75 years mainly as a result of mass deforestation for palm oil production. You can help orangutans and their habitats by supporting the work at Orangutan Foundation International.
7. Sea Shepherd
Help conserve and protect our oceans and marine wildlife by supporting the Sea Shepherd. The international, non-profit marine conservation organization engages in direct action campaigns to defend wildlife and conserve and protect the world’s oceans from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction.
Donate here.
8. Charity: Water
Give the gift of clean and safe drinking water. 785 million people lack basic access to clean and safe drinking water. Charity: Water been on a mission to end the water crisis since 2006. It’s funded nearly 80,000 projects in 29 countries, impacting more than 13 million people worldwide.
