9 National Charitable Organizations That Need Your Support

It’s almost the end of the year. We’ve just had Giving Tuesday, and although many of us try to give for that specific day, we know that after Thanksgiving and a burst of holiday shopping we don’t always have an opportunity to do that. But we DO try to get some donations done before year-end – that tax deduction is always helpful – but more importantly – tis the season for giving.

With that in mind I’ve gathered this list of national organizations for you to assist you in making your choices. Please note, there are so so many places out there in need. If I happen to have missed or overlooked your cause or favorite charity, it was not intentional. I’ve been keeping an eye on social media over recent weeks and tried to offer up a wide range of choices for us all.

Midlife Boulevard is not affiliated with any of these organizations in any way. Our goal is to share information and resources to help our readers make an informed decision when donating to causes that matter to them.

Save The Children

Save The Children is an organization that invests in childhood. They’re there, every day, supporting children across the United States and the entire world. Their goal is to give all children a healthy start, and the opportunity to learn, along with protection from harm. Save The Children is currently working to support children and families in Tennessee who are affected by the wildfires. You can decide to contribute directly to the Tennessee Wildfires Children’s Relief Fund, or the organization as a whole.

No Kid Hungry

Children across the country are starving. 1 in 5 children struggles with hunger. The No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need with nutritious food and teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. You can help surround kids with healthy food where they live, learn and play.

Operation Smile

Operation Smile is an international medical charity that has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities. Operation Smile helps to fill the gap in providing access to safe, well-timed surgeries by partnering with hospitals, governments and ministries of health, training local medical personnel, and donating much-needed supplies and equipment to surgical sites around the world.

Kiva

Kiva is an international nonprofit with a mission to connect people through lending. The organization celebrates and supports people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. What you do is determine an amount you’d like to contribute and then you can pick the individual you’d like to support with your donation. Kiva shares the money you donate with these individuals to support them as they work to get their businesses off the ground. And ultimately, your loan will come back to you and you may lend again. You can pick the country, the cause, down to the individual. It’s a very personal type of contribution.

Note: I’ve donated to Kiva before and am pretty passionate about their work. I do not have any connection to their organization.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does the work needed to find cures, prevention and treatment for many pediatric diseases. They treat children from all over the US and the entire world, regardless of their family’s ability to pay for treatment. No child is ever denied treatment. You can even send a holiday card through their site, perhaps making a donation in the recipient’s name, or just send a card with well wishes and make your donation in private. It’s a lovely idea and most of the cards feature patient art.

Heifer International

Heifer International is an organization working to end hunger and poverty throughout the world. Their efforts to provide sustainable agriculture to communities in need lead to commerce, leading to income and ultimately, to reducing hunger and poverty first-hand. You can donate to participate in providing animals to communities in need, along with other resources to help them essentially create a small business. Animals provide these families with so much more than what you might think.

The Humane Society

The Humane Society is the largest animal protection organization in the United States. Providing care and hands-on services to over 100K animals each year, they work to support animal sanctuaries and rescue sites, veterinary programs, emergency shelters and rescue organizations. You can even take a look at their map of the US to find information on programs in your area.

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities provide a comfortable and safe space for the families of children receiving medical treatment away from home. They have Houses, where parents can come and stay while their child is being treated, Family Rooms on-site at many hospitals, where family members can catch up on some rest, Mobile health care, where education, treatment and referrals take place to support those in need. This organization has been a wonderful resource to so many while their loved ones go through a health crisis.

So – whether you choose one of these or one of your own favorites, making a donation to end the year is a great way to wrap things up and feel fantastic. And, of course, more importantly, help someone in need – somewhere. Because the need is there, and anything you can do to help is a step towards lightening that load.