Where to donate this holiday season

In 2019, one-third of nonprofits raised between 25 and 50 percent of their total annual funds at year-end and 60 percent of nonprofits contact donors with a fundraising ask at least once during the holiday season. 

 

While year-end has long been a popular time to give and take advantage of tax write-offs, it has only grown in importance with the rise of “giving days”, like Giving Tuesday and Colorado Gives Day. Taking place on December 1 and December 8, respectively, these giving days are not only hugely beneficial to participating nonprofits, they’re a tribute to generosity and an opportunity to be part of a global movement. Last year on Giving Tuesday, over $500 million dollars were raised in the US alone and since the creation of Colorado Gives Day in 2010, the event has raised more than $257 million. 

 

2020, while difficult, has showcased our collective willingness to lend a helping hand and monetary support. Giving this year has increased from 2019, and we’re hoping to see that trend continue through the end of the year. To help make giving a little easier, we compiled a list of our partners who you can support this Giving Tuesday or Colorado Gives Day. This list is by no means comprehensive and we encourage you to research additional organizations in your local community and share with us what other organizations you’re giving to on social media.

 

Colorado

 

National Jewish Health– Support critical frontline healthcare workers as well as their other life-changing research and care programs. If you make a contribution on #GivingTuesday, your gift will be matched and go twice as far to help children and adults fighting serious lung, heart, immune and related diseases. 

Donate here on Giving Tuesday.

 

mindSpark Learning– Education is always a critical cause to support, but it especially needs attention given the additional hardships faced by educators and students during the pandemic. Help empower educators and better prepare students for the modern workforce when you donate to mindSpark Learning’s innovative work. When you donate before December 8, you may also include a message of gratitude and encouragement to educators. Though their work is international, as a Colorado-based organization mindSpark Learning works to reduce costs of professional learning for educators, schools and districts in Colorado. Each educator reached through their programming impacts an average of 20 students, magnifying the local impact of every donation. 

Donate here on Giving Tuesday and here for Colorado Gives Day.

 

Urban Peak– Urban Peak is the only non-profit organization in Denver that provides a full convergence of services for youth ages 15 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. All Colorado youth should have safe housing, supportive relationships and the opportunity for success.

Donate here on Colorado Gives Day.

 

Metro Caring– More than a food bank, Metro Caring meets people’s immediate food needs while addressing poverty, the root cause of hunger. They have made a difference in the lives of countless Coloradoans– read a personal story from just one person impacted in a recent blog post. 

Donate here on Colorado Gives Day.

 

Firefly Autism– From their home base in Lakewood, CO, Firefly transforms the lives of children with autism using innovative, empirical learning treatment programs. 

Donate here on Colorado Gives Day.

 

Project Helping– Volunteering helps the volunteers themselves as much as the people they serve. Project Helping seeks to amplify those benefits. Their mission is to improve mental wellness through accessible experiences that create purpose and connection.

Donate here on Colorado Gives Day.

 

Mile High United Way– Mile High United Way lifts up the entire Denver community through giving children a strong start, improving literacy and graduation rates, and ensuring residents not only have their basic needs met but have opportunities for economic success. If you live in Denver, you have likely encountered their programs and impact in one way or another. 

Donate here on Colorado Gives Day.

 

Denver Museum of Nature and Science– DMNS goes above and beyond in igniting the Denver communit’s passion for nature and science. Their programs are diverse and inclusive, serving more than 2 million people in 2019, including nearly 300,000 students and teachers. About half of the museum’s audience was provided scholarships, free days, and other free passes and programs and the museum continues to find new ways to connect people with science in ways that are meaningful to them. Support their operating budget with a gift of $10 or more and help to unlock $10,000 through a gift challenge from an anonymous donor.

Donate here on Colorado Gives Day.

 

Beyond Colorado

 

Global Conservation Corps– The Global Conservation Corps is a non-profit organization bridging the gap between communities and wildlife. A primary way the organization improves wildlife conservation is through education. In a special holiday season education initiative, GCC will provide local students the chance to see wildlife up close and in person for the very first time. Just $15 will send a child on a game drive within the greater Kruger Park Ecosystem and donors will get exclusive video access to “ride along” with our students and experience the magic of African wildlife alongside them.

Donate here on Giving Tuesday.

 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida– On Giving Tuesday, help provide an additional 1.4 million meals to Florida children, families, and seniors in need. Gifts up to $25,000 will be matched throughout the day for two times the impact. Get involved virtually by tuning in to WESH2 News on air and Facebook Live, where Second Harvest Food Bank will be featured from 6-10 am, noon to 1 pm, and 4-6:30 pm ET. 

Donate here on Giving Tuesday. 

 

The Nature Conservancy– From tackling climate change to protecting land and water sustainably to building healthier cities, The Nature Conservancy addresses big challenges on a global scale by acting locally. When you donate on Giving Tuesday, your support will help them to take action on-the-ground in all 50 US states and 72 countries. 

Donate here on Giving Tuesday.