Holiday giving guide: 21 charities that deserve your donation

News, Money

By Erin Danly

There are nearly 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S., addressing everything from to Alzheimer’s research to zoos, so it can be difficult to choose which causes and organizations to support. Below is a list of well-regarded charities in a variety of fields, including each organization’s mission; percentage of income that each group spends on programs, as opposed to administrative or fundraising costs; and links where you can learn more.

Don’t miss our related post on how to avoid holiday charity scams and make sure your money lands in the right place this holiday season.

Animals

International Primate Protection League

  • Mission: “Promoting the conservation and protection of all primates since 1973.”
  • 89 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Arts

National Public Radio (NPR)

  • Mission: “Creating a more informed public.”
  • 80.6 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

International Folk Art Alliance

  • Mission: “Fostering economic and cultural sustainability for folk artists and folk art worldwide.”
  • 83.7 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Children

A Child’s Place

  • Mission: “Working to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their education.”
  • 83 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Disabilities

Adaptive Sports Foundation

  • Mission: “A place where all abilities shine.”
  • 77.8 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans

  • Mission: “Unleashing the possibilities.”
  • 86.1 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Disease Research

ALS Therapy Development Institute

  • Mission: “Developing effective therapeutics that stop ALS as soon as possible.”
  • 87.1 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

  • Mission: “Caring for the nation … one person at a time.”
  • 82.1 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Education

Institute of International Education

  • Mission: “Opening minds to the world.”
  • 93.3 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Books for Africa

  • Mission: “Working to end the book famine in Africa.”
  • 99.1 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Environment

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

  • Mission: “Supporting the development of energy efficiency technologies, programs, and policies.”
  • 95.9 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Coral Reef Alliance

  • Mission: “Working together to keep coral reefs alive.”
  • 89.2 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Homelessness

National Alliance to End Homelessness

  • Mission: “Preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.”
  • 93.6 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

International human rights, disaster relief and development

Direct Relief

  • Mission:“Deliver a world of good.”
  • 99.1 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Heart to Heart International

  • Mission: “Connecting you to a world in need.”
  • 98.7 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

International Rescue Committee

  • Mission: “From harm to home.”
  • 91.5 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Legal and justice

Institute for Justice

  • Mission: “Litigating for liberty.”
  • 83.3 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Local organizations

The rest of the organizations on this list all serve nationally or internationally; consider donating to a local organization instead.

Scientific research

Carnegie Institution for Science

  • Mission: “Supporting research in the Earth, space, and life sciences.”
  • 86.3 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

American Association for the Advancement of Science

  • Mission: “Advancing science. Serving society.”
  • 85.1 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Veterans and troops

Homes for Our Troops

  • Mission: “Building specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans.”
  • 91.9 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Hope for the Warriors

  • Mission: “RESTORING: Self – Family – Hope.”
  • 82.4 percent of income spent on programs. More stats from Charity Navigator.

Ebola and other ‘current events’ causes

There are also many organizations working on pressing issues in the news. For example, nonprofits including the American Red Cross, the CDC Foundation and Doctors Without Borders are addressing the Ebola outbreak. Or consider giving to organizations that help the homeless, as several cities across the U.S. have recently restricted who can give them food and how.

If the midterm election results are still fresh in your mind, you can donate to groups that support immigration reform, LGBT rights including marriage equality, women’s rights including reproductive rights, and the legalization of marijuana.

Whatever you decide, do your research, give generously, and save your receipt for next year’s tax deduction.

Photo: littleny / Shutterstock

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