The Avocado

Causes and Organizations to Support

Below is a list of organizations. Most of these were recommended by Avocado members or on other lists posted by Avocado members, though I cannot remember who. Many of these are focused on America or parts of America, but not all. If you have any other recommendations for organizations or causes, please post them below and I will add them to the list, be they international or focused on a single neighborhood.

If you take issue with any organization that is listed, then please mention that and we can discuss it. Neither I nor the mods have thoroughly vetted these organizations. So, if you believe one of them to be bad enough to require exclusion, then please let us know.

While I am one of those people who throw money to supposedly good causes if only to temporarily not feel useless, helping out need not be purely monetary. It could be working directly with the group or for the group. It could be…I don’t know. Anything that you can think of. And if you yourself are unable to help much, then maybe someone whom you know or someone who knows someone whom you know. General advice and suggestions, such as what people can do in their own local area, is also welcome.

Of course, if you yourself can benefit from any of these, or if you know someone who might be able to, that is great.

If the mods allow it, I will reschedule this thread every Thursday at 9:00 AM EST. So, this list will pop up every week.

Animal Care (United States)

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s most effective animal protection and animal welfare organization working to end suffering for all animals.

Climate

350 is building a movement that fights for a fairer future for all. We believe in the collective power of ordinary people taking action: we campaign and organize locally and globally to create a world powered by just and accessible renewable energy that will move us away from fossil fuels, for good. And we are doing this with the urgency the climate crisis demands of us. 

Acres of Ancestry. Over the decades, numerous Black-led nonprofit institutions have attempted to address the steady erosion of the African American agricultural land base and intergenerational wealth; however, their efforts have been unsustainable due to perpetual over-reliance on governmental and philanthropic support. The Acres of Ancestry Initiative/Black Agrarian Fund is our response to the nonprofit scarcity complex. The Acres of Ancestry Initiative/Black Agrarian Fund is a self-sustaining collaboration to preserve our ancestors’ value paradigm anchored in collective land tenure, spirit-culture reclamation, and ecological harmony.

The Amazon Conservation Team partners with indigenous and other local communities to protect tropical forests and strengthen traditional culture.

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice promotes the rights of all people to be free from environmental harm, particularly communities of color along the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor and the broader Gulf Coast Region.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change.

Friends of the Everglades was founded in 1969 by renowned journalist, author, and environmental activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving America’s Everglades and its interconnected ecosystems.

Global Greengrants Fund believes solutions to environmental harm and social injustice come from people whose lives are most impacted. Every day, our global network of people on the frontlines and donors comes together to support communities to protect their ways of life and our planet. Because when local people have a say in the health of their food, water, and resources, they are forces for change.

Healthy Gulf’s programs focus on a just transition that moves us away from extractive systems of energy production, consumption, and political oppression, and towards resilient, regenerative and equitable economies.

The Human Impacts Institute is a community that connects you to the leadership and action we need to protect and prepare our communities for climate impacts. We create spaces to bring new voices into the room — women, youth, frontline, BIPOC and others  — and we amplify their personal stories and actions.  And we are a home for bringing together people to realize the beauty that is possible.  Imagine a world without trash, where there are no children with asthma, and where every community has access to greenspace AND a living wage. That is the world we are building with your help. 

Established in 1990 within the United States, the Indigenous Environmental Network was formed by grassroots Indigenous peoples and individuals to address environmental and economic justice issues (EJ). IEN’s activities include building the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities. IEN accomplishes this by maintaining an informational clearinghouse, organizing campaigns, direct actions and public awareness, building the capacity of community and tribes to address EJ issues, development of initiatives to impact policy, and building alliances among Indigenous communities, tribes, inter-tribal and Indigenous organizations, people-of-color/ethnic organizations, faith-based and women groups, youth, labor, environmental organizations and others. IEN convenes local, regional and national meetings on environmental and economic justice issues, and provides support, resources and referral to Indigenous communities and youth throughout primarily North America – and in recent years – globally.

Louisiana Bucket Brigade uses grassroots action to hold the petrochemical industry and government accountable for the true costs of pollution. We work to create an informed, healthy society that hastens the transition from fossil fuels.

The Natural Resources Defense Council uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. Get updates on our issues.

Project Drawdown is a trusted, science-based, and independent guide for effective climate action across the globe. Our mission is to help the world stop climate change—as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible.

The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our millions of members and supporters to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world.

Digital Privacy, Free Speech, and Innovation

The American Civil Liberties Union’s nationwide network of lawyers and organizers are standing by, ready to defend our rights in the courts and on the streets.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world. Founded in 1990, EFF champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development. EFF’s mission is to ensure that technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all people of the world.

Food Access/Justice

Action Against Hunger USA – “Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist whose primary goal is to create a better way to deal with deadly hunger. For almost 40 years, this global humanitarian organization has been on the front lines treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries; serving more than 20 million people in 2017 alone. Action Against Hunger is the leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. The organization is committed to doubling the number of children who receive urgent hunger care, from three million to six million by 2020. Of every dollar donated, 93 cents go directly to saving lives today and preventing hunger tomorrow.”

Connecticut Foodshare – “To deliver an informed and equitable response to hunger by mobilizing community partners, volunteers, and supporters. Founded in 1982, Connecticut Foodshare is a member of the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks. Connecticut Foodshare supports individuals and families – from one end of the state to the other – by addressing root causes, creating long-term solutions, and distributing nutritious food through local partner programs in an effort to alleviate hunger. Our vision is to have a thriving community, free of hunger.”

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger – “El Pasoans Fighting Hunger’s mission is to combat the hunger crisis in our region by strategically procuring and distributing nutritious food through community partners…because no one should go hungry // Nuestra misión es combatir la crisis del hambre en nuestra región a través de estratégicamente distribuyendo alimentos nutritivos en los sitios de nuestros socios en la comunidad … porque nadie debe pasar hambre.”

The Farmlink Project – “The Farmlink Project’s mission is to connect surplus produce to communities in need, reduce carbon emissions, and empower the next generation of young changemakers. The Farmlink Project serves as a “link” connecting the broken supply chains of the agricultural and food access industries.”

Feed the Children – “We are committed to ending childhood hunger. In the U.S. and around the world, we provide children and families with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive.”

Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana – “Our Food Bank provides free food and additional resources across 12 parishes to our neighbors in need through our network of over 60 community partners and programs. Together, we make up a hunger-relief network serving food to our neighbors who need it the most.”

Food For Thought Foundation – “The Food for Thought Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to ending food deserts. We do this through our line of agricultural and educational resources that work with students and schools to build vertical farm technology in order to localize nutritious food and make it more accessible.”

The Global FoodBanking Network – “When GFN launched in 2006, the concept of a “food bank” was unknown in many parts of the world. Now, GFN works with partners in over 50 countries to recover and redirect food to those who need it. In 2023, our Network provided food to more than 40 million people, reducing food waste and creating healthy, resilient communities. We help the food system function as it should: nourishing people and the planet together.”

Project Bread – “Project Bread fights hunger by working to ensure everyone in Massachusetts can access and afford food with dignity”

Trees for the Future – “Modern and industrialized farming practices are destroying the environment while failing to provide reliable income and nourishment for the farmers we all depend on to survive. Trees for the Future (TREES) recognizes that unsustainable land use is the root cause of our world’s most pressing challenges. We confront these challenges by providing hands-on, immersive education and support to those at the heart of our global food systems: farmers and their families. Our signature methodology, the Forest Garden Approach, teaches farmers to transform their land with thousands of fast-growing, ecologically appropriate trees and dozens of crops, creating new possibilities for themselves and their communities. By embracing sustainable land practices, farmers are reclaiming their agency, breaking the cycles of climate change and generational poverty, and rebuilding our food systems from the ground up.”

Gun Safety

Hundreds of entities across the United States are using Be SMART to bring the life-saving message about secure firearm storage to their states, cities, and local communities. Use the map below to learn more about nationwide Be SMART Initiatives. Filtering by State and/or Partner type is suggested for optimal viewing experience.

Humanitarian Aid (International)

The Community Organized Relief Effort is a global humanitarian organization that delivers immediate response and long-term recovery solutions to underserved communities across the globe.  

The International Medical Corps deliver emergency medical and related services to those affected by conflict, disaster and disease, no matter where they are, no matter what the conditions.

The International Rescue Committee delivers lasting impact by providing health care, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant, always with a focus on the unique needs of women and girls. Our work spans more than 40 crisis-affected countries, and we provide resettlement, asylum, and integration services in communities across the United States and Europe.

The World Central Kitchen is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.

Humanitarian Aid Palestine/Middle East

anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate emergency relif and for sustainable, long-term healtheducation, and economic development. Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most.

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), founded in 1991 by concerned humanitarians in the USA, provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children yearly who lack local access to care within the local health care system. 

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is an officially recognized independent Palestinian National Society. It enjoys legal personality and is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Society, which operates in Palestine and the diaspora, is guided by the Geneva Conventions and the Movement’s Fundamental Principles, i.e. Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

Immigration (United States)

The Immigrant Worker Project (IWP) was founded in 1998 to address the needs of the farmworker and rural migrant communities in Ohio. At the heart of the project is a deep commitment to economic, legal, political, and social justice for the Latinx community. IWP supports human dignity and justice for immigrants while building communities that embrace cultural diversity. Our approach is based on the teachings of Paulo Freire, educator and prominent thinker of critical pedagogy, and thus all initiatives, programs, and services are collaborative in nature and formed through bottom-up leadership and goal-setting. As a result, the work of IWP continuously evolves in accordance with the needs of the community. As of now, there is no online donation option, but one can donate by check.

MIRA is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. With offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we advance this mission through education and training, leadership development, institutional organizing, strategic communications, policy analysis and advocacy.

RAICES model a welcoming nation by fighting for the freedoms of immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking PEOPLE AND families.

Indigenous Americans

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (NIWRC) is a Native-led nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence against Native women and children. The NIWRC provides national leadership in ending gender-based violence in tribal communities by lifting up the collective voices of grassroots advocates and offering culturally grounded resources, technical assistance and training, and policy development to strengthen tribal sovereignty. Our staff and board of directors consist of Native women from throughout the United States with extensive experience and commitment to ending violence against Native women and their children. NIWRC’s staff bring decades of expertise in building the grassroots movement to increase tribal responses to domestic violence and increase safety for Native women.

LGBTQ (United States)

The Ali Forney Center was founded in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney, a homeless gender-nonconforming youth who was  forced to live on the streets, where they were tragically murdered. Committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people, our mission is to protect them from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently.

The Transgender District was founded by three black trans women in 2017 (originally as Compton’s Transgender Cultural District), the Transgender District is the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. Our mission is to create an urban environment that fosters the rich history, culture, legacy, and empowerment of transgender people and its deep roots in the southeastern Tenderloin neighborhood. The Transgender District strives to help stabilize and economically empower the transgender community through ownership of homes, businesses, historic and cultural sites, and safe community spaces.

The Trans Justice Funding Project moves money to trans-led grassroots group and projects with trust and no strings attached. We center trans justice in the US and US territories and honor and amplify the ways our communities organize, create and shift culture, commit their love and care, and fight like hell for trans liberation.

Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Since 2002 we’ve been organizing, assisting, informing and empowering thousands of individual community members towards a long-term, national, trans-led movement for liberation.

The Trevor Project works to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people.

Politics (United States)

Americans of Conscience follow over 100 social justice advocacy groups and non-partisan, pro-democracy organizations. Twice a month, we compile their priorities in a virtual checklist that publishes on the 1st and 3rd Fridays. Our team does everything from research, writing, and editing to social media strategy and graphic design. Jen and a small admin team also support the tech and operations behind the scenes. Producing the Checklist together is an exercise in joyful democracy.

Postcards to Voters are friendly, handwritten reminders from volunteers to targeted voters giving Democrats a winning edge in close, key races coast to coast.

Run For Something as recruited nearly 100,000 people across all 50 states to run for state or local office. We provide a safety net for new and exciting progressive leaders — at all stages of their journey — helping them run efficient, strategic, grassroots, driven campaigns while feeling supported throughout the process.

Reproductive Care (United States)

Arc southeast gives support to people seeking reproductive care in the Southeast.

Carolina Abortion Fund (CAF) is a 501-c3 nonprofit founded in 2011 by folks who were tired of seeing patients delaying or cancelling their appointments just because they couldn’t afford the full cost out of pocket. We believe that abortion is healthcare, and healthcare should be well resourced and accessible to all.

Planned Parenthood is the country’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. 

Texas Equal Access Fund offers both financial and emotional support to individuals in North & East Texas who lack the means to access abortion and other reproductive care. Firmly committed to the principles of reproductive justice, TEA Fund fiercely advocates for the right to access all reproductive health options, including abortion, birth control, and parenting support.

The Yellowhammer Fund is a 501(c)3 abortion advocacy and reproductive justice organization serving Alabama, Mississippi, and the Deep South.

Separation of Church and State (United States)

The Mission Of The Satanic Temple Is To Encourage Benevolence And Empathy, Reject Tyrannical Authority, Advocate Practical Common Sense, Oppose Injustice, And Undertake Noble Pursuits.

Ukraine

On Reddit’s Verified Charities List, you will find a list of organizations and users that we have taken the time to carefully vet, verify and approve. This list exists to ensure our users have peace of mind when choosing an organization to support.

Umbrella Organizations

The Hello in There Foundation is an initiative established by the family of John Prine, to honor his memory and continue the love, kindness and generosity he shared with the world. The work of the foundation is inspired and guided by John’s simple song title, Hello In There. Our mission aims to identify and collaborate with individuals and communities to offer support for people who are marginalized, discriminated against or, for any reason, are otherwise forgotten.

United Way mobilizes people in tens of thousands of communities worldwide to make life better – especially for the most vulnerable. But we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we work with local leaders to create tailor-made solutions, which can be adapted and scaled across our global network.  Every day, the 211 helpline we support connects millions to locally available resources across the U.S. and Canada. In a crisis, United Way marshals resources quickly. And we’re here long after the first responders leave.  Our focus is local, but our collective impact is global.  

United Way Bengaluru has a 133-year legacy of global impact, operating across 47 countries. We are dedicated to transforming lives by bringing positive changes in communities worldwide, focusing on health, education, environmental sustainability, rural development, and corporate volunteering.