It’s the season of giving — and doing your part is more important than ever. There are so many ways to give back: you could volunteer, start a fundraiser, or do a random act of kindness. You may also consider donating money to a charity or nonprofit. But before you make a decision on where to give, set aside some time to find a charity you trust. That way, you can rest assured that your donation will go as far as possible.
To help you do that, we've compiled a list of great charities to donate to in 2020. To vet these organizations, we combed through Charity Watch and Charity Navigator, two trusted watchdog groups that assign charities a grade or number rating for financial health and transparency. We also included our Good Housekeeping Humanitarian Seal holder, No Kid Hungry. With organizations that focus on so many different causes, you're bound to find a charity you're excited to support.
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Environmental Defense Fund
With Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating, the Environmental Defense Fund works to institute clean energy solutions, reduce emissions, and find sustainable ways to grow food and supply water. Along with influencing legislation and conducting research, the organization builds partnerships with corporations to help them become more environmentally friendly. It currently works in 26 countries and has helped protect four million acres of land.
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Rainforest Trust
For more than 30 years, Rainforest Trust has worked toward its goal of saving threatened tropical ecosystems and the wildlife that calls them home. In 2019, the organization protected 3.4 million acres of land via land purchases and designations. If you give to Rainforest Trust, you'll be able to choose exactly where your money goes. For example, you could help secure a black rhino habitat in Kenya, save the blue-throated macaw from extinction in Bolivia, or protect the cotton-top tamarins in Colombia. It’s totally your call.
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Environmental Working Group
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides consumer advocacy and research regarding the safety of food, cosmetics, water, children’s products, and more. (It’s famous for its “Dirty Dozen” list of pesticides in produce.) The goal is to help consumers understand what is in their food and other products so they can make safe, informed choices. The EWG also pushes government agencies to work in the best interest of public health.
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Center for International Environmental Law
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) defends your right to live on a healthy planet. To do that, it strengthens international environmental law and finds ways to hold corporations accountable for their impact on the environment and public health. CIEL’s ultimate mission is to reduce public exposure to toxic chemicals, transition away from fossil fuels, protect ecosystems around the world, and ensure a just and sustainable society.
Acadia Center
Acadia Center's goal is to develop a clean energy economy that will help mitigate the ongoing climate crisis. Among the organization's initiatives, there’s a focus on modernizing power grids and other utilities, promoting cost-saving and energy-efficient technologies, and encouraging the use of low- or no-carbon electricity to heat and cool buildings and power vehicles. Acadia Center also provides guidance to government organizations, businesses, and community groups that need help implementing clean energy initiatives.
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WildAid
WildAid’s mission is simple: to reduce the consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts. To do this, it works to persuade the public to avoid illegal and unsustainable wildlife products and to make better lifestyle choices in order to reduce climate change. Its work helps all types of creatures, from sea turtles and manta rays to tigers and elephants. WildAid has a perfect score on Charity Navigator and counts Prince William and Lupita Nyong'o among its ambassadors.
PAWS Chicago
PAWS stands for “Pets Are Worth Saving,” and this Chicago-based organization lives by that mission. The no-kill shelter for cats and dogs is the largest free spay and neuter clinic in the Midwest; in 2019, it facilitated 5,271 animal adoptions through its adoption centers and spayed and neutered 15,174 pets. PAWS has received a perfect four-star rating on Charity Navigator for 18 years in a row, something that fewer than one percent of all organizations in the country can say.
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Animal Welfare Institute
No matter which types of animals you love most — whether it's cats and dogs, farm animals, marine life, wildlife, or laboratory animals — the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is out there serving them. The AWI engages with policymakers, scientists, and the public to abolish factory farms, implement alternatives to experimentation on live animals, protect endangered and threatened species, and more. The organization also makes it easy to write to legislators on issues ranging from shark finning to racehorse conditions.
Marine Mammal Center
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean conservation by providing care for orphaned and in-need animals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. In fact, the Center responds to more stranded marine mammals than any other organization in the world. Through its Adopt-a-Seal program, you’ll know exactly how your donation is making a difference in a sea mammal’s life.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
This organization is all about gorilla conservation. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund plays a direct role in the protection of gorillas in the wild in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. They also conduct scientific research, train future conservation and scientific leaders, and help communities living near gorillas through livelihood, food security and education initiatives. A simple way to donate is to sign up for its Adopt a Gorilla (in the wild) program.
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Homes For Our Troops
This nonprofit builds and donates custom adapted homes to severely injured post-9/11 veterans, many of whom have experienced limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, traumatic brain injury, burns, or blindness. The organization also provides a pro-bono financial planner for three years to help with financial planning and budgeting, as well as homeownership education and peer mentorship with other veterans and spouses in the Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) program. Since 2004, HFOT has built more than 300 homes.
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Wounded Warriors Family Support
This organization provides support to families of service members who have been wounded, injured, or killed in combat. Its programs offer caregiver respite, job training, and family retreats, among other things. It also operates the Dunham House, a residence that provides long-term care for veterans with spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries.
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K9s For Warriors
For veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, a trained service dog can be a godsend — and that's why K9s For Warriors is so important. The organization rescues and trains dogs from kill shelters to be paired with disabled veterans. It even provides ongoing training, legal and emotional support for the service dog-veteran team. In 2019, the nonprofit paired 92 veterans with service dogs; since 2011, the program has rescued more than 1,200 dogs.
Bob Woodruff Foundation
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) funds programs that serve veterans and their families. It honors journalist Bob Woodruff, who was hit by a roadside bomb in 2006 while covering the war in Iraq, and miraculously survived. The foundation seeks to meet the emerging and long-term needs of today’s veterans, including suicide prevention, mental health, caregiver support, and food insecurity. Since 2006, it has invested more than $70 million in programs that empower impacted veterans, service members, and their family members.
The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues develops volunteer opportunities for veterans with the goal of connecting former service-members with under-resourced communities. By participating, 85% of veterans said they felt more connected to other veterans and 78% said they felt a greater sense of community. In 2019, the nonprofit organized 1,479 service projects that empowered veterans to build leadership skills and transform communities. In 2020, it has focused on mobilizing veterans to fight food insecurity caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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No Kid Hungry
A Good Housekeeping Humanitarian Seal holder, No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by the non-profit Share Our Strength. The organization focuses on ending childhood hunger, which typically affects more than 11 million children in the U.S. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, that number could reach 18 million (that's one in four youngsters). No Kid Hungry improves access to child nutrition programs, including school breakfasts, summer meals, and after school meals, and works with elected officials to improve the food programs that kids and families rely on.
Jessica Migala
Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.
FAQs
What is the number 1 charity in the world? ›
| Rank | Organisation | Endowment in USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novo Nordisk Foundation | $93.7 billion |
| 2 | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | $53.3 billion |
| 3 | Wellcome Trust | $40.2 billion |
| 4 | Stichting INGKA Foundation | $38.8 billion |
| Charity Name | Percentage of funds that go directly to the cause, versus administrative or fundraising costs |
|---|---|
| Feeding America's Hungry Children | 99.10% |
| Caring Voice Coalition | 99.00% |
| Foster Care to Success | 99.00% |
| Good360 | 99.00% |
Jude charity rating and review. According to Charity Navigator — an organization that evaluates nonprofits based on transparency, financial health and accountability — ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has a four-out-of-four star rating for our Overall Score and Rating.
What percentage of St Jude's donations go to charity? ›We're proud that 82 cents of every dollar received goes to support the treatment, research and future needs of St. Jude.
What is the best charity to feed the poor? ›Feeding America is the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States. We partner with food banks, food pantries, and local food programs to bring food to people facing hunger. We advocate for policies that create long-term solutions to hunger.
Is Wounded Warriors a good charity? ›Rating Information
This charity's score is 88%, earning it a Three-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence. This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 90% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability.
One of the leading watchdog organizations, Charity Navigator, gives the Red Cross its highest rating — four stars — for accountability and transparency, and three out of four stars overall.
What is the largest charity in the US? ›United Way Worldwide, the Salvation Army, and St. Jude Children's Hospital topped the Chronicle's annual ranking of the 100 nonprofits that raise the most in cash and stock contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Which is a better charity dav or wounded warrior? ›Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) Hours of web searches indicate that DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is the best place to spend your donations for veterans. Wounded Warriors Project makes a WHOLE lot more money and provides more money to the veterans, BUT it is at a high price.
Did Wounded Warrior Project get in trouble? ›
After months of investigation, the Better Business Bureau has cleared the Wounded Warrior Project, one of the nation's largest veterans charities, of “lavish spending,” and gave the nonprofit organization its seal of approval.
Is St. Jude's hoarding money? ›St. Jude Hoards Billions While Many of Its Families Drain Their Savings — ProPublica.
How much of every dollar goes to Wounded Warrior Project? ›1. What percentage of my donation goes directly to Wounded Warriors? 100% of your donation supports wounded warriors. 71% pays for programs, and the balance pays to support the delivery of those life-changing programs.
How much does a CEO of St. Jude's get paid? ›Jude is $1.3 million per year. James R Downing is the current President and CEO of St. Jude.
How much of every dollar goes to Salvation Army? ›The Salvation Army typically spends 82% of donations on aid. But during disasters, it draws from its budget so it can direct 100% at relief efforts.
Which is better Shriners or St. Jude's? ›Despite there being no affiliation between the two, the two hospital organizations do work together through unofficial channels to ensure the children in their care receive the best possible care. The Shriner's Hospitals specialize in orthopedics and burns, while St. Jude's specializes in childhood cancer treatment.
Who is St. Jude's biggest donor? ›Isaacman's $100 million commitment to St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, is the largest ever by a single individual and one of the largest overall.
Which charity helps the homeless the most? ›- Healthcare for the Homeless.
- Selah Neighborhood Homeless Coalition.
- Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
- National Alliance to End Homelessness.
- Streetwise.
- Women in Need.
- Coalition for the Homeless.
- Shelter the Homeless.
Food For The Poor began in 1982 in Jamaica. Today, our interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
Is the Gary Sinise Foundation a good charity? ›This charity's score is 98%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
Is March of Dimes a good charity? ›
This charity's score is 71%, earning it a Two-Star rating. This overall score is calculated entirely from a single beacon score: 100% Accountability & Finance. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
How much does the CEO of Wounded Warrior get paid? ›The salary of the CEO of Wounded Warriors is $385,705 per year. Michael Linnington is the current CEO of Wounded Warriors. His salary is significantly less than previous CEOs of the charity organization. Previous CEOs include Steven Nardizzi, who earned a salary of $473,015 per year.
How much of Red Cross donations actually go to help? ›Program Percentage: 91% The percentage of American Red Cross's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).
How much does the president of Red Cross get paid? ›For the past 11 years, Gail McGovern has served as president and CEO of the American Red Cross, and in 2018, she was paid $694,000, which reflects her leadership of the country's largest humanitarian organization.
Is Unicef a good charity to donate to? ›Most years, UNICEF USA has received the highest charity rating marks for accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator. UNICEF USA has also been awarded GlobalGiving's Superstar status for demonstrating the highest level of engagement and/or effectiveness.
What is the oldest charity in the US? ›George's Society of New York and is considered the oldest charity in the United States. 1907 – The first private family foundation in the U.S., the Russell Sage Foundation, is founded to study and disseminate knowledge about social problems.
What is the oldest charity in the world? ›Our founder, Miss Ann Lindo, was so touched by Anna Sewell's 1877 novel, Black Beauty, that she funnelled her inspiration into creating The Horse Trust.
How do I know if a charity is good? ›The FTC strongly recommends checking with organizations such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or GuideStar which will help you get a better picture of how much of the charity's donations go towards expenses and overhead.
Which charities do celebrities support? ›- UNICEF. 389. celebrities. 797. articles. ...
- PETA. 269. celebrities. 661. articles. ...
- Elton John AIDS Foundation. 349. celebrities. 227. ...
- Red Cross. 295. celebrities. 274. ...
- Save the Children. 177. celebrities. 358. ...
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America. 358. celebrities. 168. ...
- Make-A-Wish Foundation. 255. celebrities. 250. ...
- Stand Up To Cancer. 301. celebrities. 162.
Muslims 'Give Most To Charity', Ahead Of Christians, Jews And Atheists, Poll Finds. Which Religion Gives The Most To Charity? Muslims give more to charity than other religious groups, new research suggests.
What is the best charity for wounded veterans? ›
- Paralyzed Veterans of America.
- Homes For Our Troops.
- Operation First Response.
- Disabled Veterans National Foundation.
- Soldiers' Angels.
- Military Warriors Support Foundation.
- Gary Sinise Foundation.
- Puppies Behind Bars.
...
Accountability & Finance.
| Element | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Program | 95.10% |
| Key Employees and Officers | Compensation |
|---|---|
| JODY SHORT (DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR) | $100,542 |
| ROBIN RAND STARTED 10118 (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER) | $54,451 |
| GARY SINISE (CHAIR,PRESIDENT,DIRECTOR) | $0 |
| MOIRA SINISE (DIRECTOR) | $0 |
Make-A-Wish International has earned a 90% for the Accountability & Finance beacon.
Is the VFW a good charity? ›Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation has earned a 86% for the Accountability & Finance beacon.
Does the VFW really help veterans? ›Our cadre of highly-trained and professional advocates help veterans cut through bureaucratic red tape. VA reports veterans represented by the VFW have recouped more than $11.2 billion in compensation in pension on behalf of veterans and eligible family members in fiscal year 2022.
What is the largest charity in the USA? ›This statistic shows the 20 largest charities in the United States as ranked by their total amount of revenue in 2021. Lutheran Services in America was by far the largest charity, with total revenue of 23.28 billion US dollars for that year.
Who is the king of charity? ›For over 40 years, King Charles III – formerly known as The Prince of Wales – has been a leader in identifying charitable need, then driving forward charities to meet it. Together with the Queen Consort, formerly The Duchess of Cornwall, they are president or patron of more than 500 organisations.
What is the best charity for poverty? ›- Innovations for Poverty Action.
- Oxfam International.
- Give Directly Inc.
- Save the Children.
- CARE International.
- The Global Red Cross Network.
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- World Vision.
What charity gives the most to children? ›
- World Vision.
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
- Save the Children.
- Action for Healthy Kids.
- Child Mind Institute.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
- March of Dimes.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Muslims 'Give Most To Charity', Ahead Of Christians, Jews And Atheists, Poll Finds. Which Religion Gives The Most To Charity? Muslims give more to charity than other religious groups, new research suggests.
Who is the biggest donation in the world? ›The combined net worth of those six donors is just over $325 billion. Topping the list is Bill Gates, who gave $5 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to back the grantmaker's work in global health, development, policy and advocacy, and U.S. education.
What is the biggest fundraiser ever? ›Stanford's $1.39 Billion Haul Makes It Biggest Fundraiser - Bloomberg.
What does God say about charity? ›2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
St. Paul's classical description of charity is found in the New Testament (I Cor. 13). In Christian theology and ethics, charity (a translation of the Greek word agapē, also meaning “love”) is most eloquently shown in the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ.
What religion believes in charity? ›Christian giving originates from the beginnings of Christianity where early Christians shared with each other and the larger community. Other concepts of charity are based on Judaism through the teachings of the Old Testament and through the life of Jesus based on the teachings in the New Testament.