Once you’ve decided to support a cause you care about financially, the next step is to find a legitimate nonprofit organization that will use your money to make a lasting impact. But it can take hours to sift through dozens of nonprofits to gain credibility. Doing good things doesn’t have to be difficult. That’s why we rounded up the 30 best charities to donate to. Whether you’re looking for a charity that helps the community or works to protect the environment, our list has a nonprofit organization for almost any cause.
These charities were selected based on their GoFundMe activity. Additionally, every charity on this list has received at least a 70% rating from Charity Navigator.
1. Best cancer charity to donate to: Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute funds immunotherapy research for all types of cancer. The program includes training for new cancer researchers, clinical research, and public education initiatives. The organization spends 88 cents of every dollar donated on its programs.
2. Best Asian American Charity: Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Aajc, Inc.
Founded in 1991, AAJC is dedicated to supporting the advancement of civil and human rights in the Asian American community. Through their advocacy work, they have driven change that impacts equality in the Asian American community as well as other groups.
3. Best animal charity to donate to: Aspca
With a history dating back to 1866, the ASPCA cares for animals large and small, wild and domestic. Your donation helps animals find shelter, emergency care, and forever homes. The organization also focuses on strengthening the bond between animals and humans.
4. Best charity supporting civil liberties: Aclu
The ACLU was founded in 1920 and seeks to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws. The organization has worked to protect individuals and communities for more than 100 years, and has had a lasting impact on the lives of many people affected by injustice.
5. Best emergency relief charity to donate to: Direct Relief
Want to support a charity that provides emergency aid? Direct Relief is one of the best charities to donate to during emergency relief efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has leveraged its global distribution network and resources to provide medical support, such as personal protective equipment and vaccines, to hospitals and facilities in the United States and around the world. Additionally, the charity has awarded more than $74.5 million in grants to more than 500 healthcare facilities and organizations.
6. Best social justice charity to donate to: Social Justice Collaborative
The Social Justice Collaborative works directly with low-income immigrants and immigrant families to get them the legal help they deserve. With millions of migrants fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries and seeking asylum at the border, organizations like this need your support.
7. Best veterans charity to donate to: Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project is known for supporting veterans in need. Since its founding in 2003, the organization has dedicated its resources to providing a full range of care and services to men and women injured while serving their country. From mental health services to self-reliance and vocational services, this organization has helped many veterans get back on their feet.
Visit GoFundMe for a complete list of the best veterans charities you can donate to.
8. Best women’s health charity to donate to: Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood is recognized nationally as a leader in protecting women’s health and increasing access to essential services. The organization also plays an important role in protecting access to abortion services in the United States. Through employment, women can continue to receive life-saving healthcare and services.
9. Best educational charity to donate to: Pure
Founded in 2016, People for Urban and Rural Education (PURE) is dedicated to providing quality education to underserved communities around the world. The organization focuses on education, girls, indigenous communities, and shelters to create long-term impacts on affected communities.
10. Best disaster relief charity to donate to: American Red Cross
For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has played a critical role in assisting American communities during large-scale disasters. During crises, especially after natural disasters, the American Red Cross provides shelter, food, water and basic needs for victims. Their dedication helps communities affected by disasters recover and move forward after disasters.
11. Best Alzheimer’s Charity to Donate to: Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association aims to eradicate Alzheimer’s disease and treat it from all sides. Donations help fund Alzheimer’s research and clinical trials and connect individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s with care in their communities. The organization also advocates for Alzheimer’s disease research at the national and state level.
12. Best LGBT+ charity to donate to: The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project’s main goal is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ people under the age of 25 by providing counseling and education. Support is provided to young people through trained counselors via telephone, text message and online chat. Every donation has a direct impact in changing and saving the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.
13. Best environmental charity to donate to: Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy is committed to protecting our oceans from today’s greatest challenges. From engaging in important policy debates and changes to working to create an environment free of marine debris, these organizations are leaders in protecting the health and safety of our oceans.
14. Best leukemia and lymphoma charity to donate to: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Finding a cure for blood cancer is as important to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as supporting people who have been diagnosed with cancer. This 501(c)(3) has invested approximately $1.3 billion in clinical trial research and supports people who have been diagnosed with cancer through financial assistance, support groups, and access to real-time expert information on its website.
15. Best immigrant charity to donate to: Rice
Founded in 1987, the Center for Refugee and Immigrant Legal Education and Services (RAICES) is dedicated to providing low-cost or free legal services to immigrants and their families. The organization has worked to ensure that the rights of migrants and refugees are protected and their voices are heard. RAICES uses several key programs to help children and adults understand their rights after release. We have one of the largest bond funds to help secure the release of individuals from ICE custody.
16. Best domestic violence support charity: Rainn
RAINN is committed to preventing sexual violence and helping survivors get the help they need. The organization also runs a helpline and chat and provides important resources for survivors and communities seeking to help victims.
17. Leading charity working with migrants at risk at the border: Border Angels
The role of organizations like Border Angels has increased in recent years as the crisis at the US-Mexico border has worsened. The water and food provided by migrants in the deserts they frequent is known to save lives, but these are not the only services provided by the organization. Border Angels provides a variety of services including infusions, bond programs, shelter assistance, community outreach and more.
18. Best children’s charity to donate to: Save The Children
Founded more than 100 years ago, Save the Children has been an advocate for children around the world. This organization is a pioneer in providing programs that provide health, education and care services to children around the world. The humanitarian work that Save the Children does to provide support to children and their families fleeing countries experiencing extreme conflict is one of the most valuable services that Save the Children provides, but it is one of the most valuable services that Save the Children Children give. That’s just part of it.
19. Best integrated sports charity to donate to: Special Olympics
For more than 50 years, Special Olympics has worked to create an inclusive environment for athletes with disabilities. Their work has opened doors for many people with disabilities, as well as opened the minds and hearts of those who work with them to create a more inclusive society. Through sport, this organization has changed the lives of many people and continues to do great work for future athletes with disabilities.
20. Best charity to help end homelessness: National Coalition to End Homelessness
The National Alliance to End Homelessness wants to see a world where homelessness is just a memory. The focus is on formulating federal policy and finding solutions to end homelessness, such as short-term rental assistance programs and community education.
21. Best HIV/AIDS charity to donate to: Aids United
AIDS United has served people and communities living with or at risk of HIV. Through education, support programs and advocacy, this organization is a lifeline for many people affected by the HIV epidemic in the United States.
22. Best wildlife charity to donate to: World Wildlife Fund
WWF has been at the forefront of climate change advocacy and wildlife conservation, driving change for more than 50 years. Through funding efforts, many species and habitats have been protected from human development. As climate change becomes a greater threat, WWF’s role becomes increasingly important for us all.
23. Best charity for humanitarian medicine: Doctors Without Borders
The international organization Doctors Without Borders provides medical humanitarian assistance to people suffering from inadequate treatment. This organization seeks to provide maternal health services, help cases of malnutrition, treat and prevent disease, and eliminate some diseases. The important work they do is ensuring that people in poor areas around the world get the health services they need to live and thrive.
24. Best international charities to donate to: Charity: Water
According to the charity Water, one in 10 people do not have access to clean drinking water. The organization hopes to change these statistics by providing clean and safe drinking water to developing countries. We have funded more than 90,000 water projects worldwide.
25. Best hunger relief charity to donate to: Feeding America
Feeding America is the leading organization fighting food insecurity. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America has been able to help millions of people experiencing food insecurity. The organization also focuses on food rescue and rapid response during and after disasters.
26. Largest donor organization for the deaf: The Hearing Health Foundation
The Hearing Health Foundation conducts research into hearing loss and tinnitus with the goal of preventing these conditions forever. We also focus on creating inclusive opportunities for people with hearing loss, tinnitus, or other hearing impairments.
27. Best mental health charity to donate to: Mental Health Collaborative
The Mental Health Collaborative is dedicated to providing mental health and educational resources to schools, communities, and other organizations. They seek to promote a new mental health care system that focuses on a preventive model rather than a reactive model.
28. Best autism charity to donate to: Autism Speaks
29. Best charity for addiction recovery: Writing Love on His Arms (Tuluha)
“Writing Love on Her Sleeve” is a non-profit organization that works to provide hope and support to people struggling with addiction, self-harm, depression and suicide. They go out of their way to let people know that they are not alone and that they can get the help they deserve. TWLOHA has donated more than $2.6 million for treatment and recovery and funded 105 counseling clinics.
30. Best childhood cancer charity: Cancer-Free Childhood Cancer Research Alliance
CancerFree Kids is an organization dedicated to funding new treatments for childhood cancer. Unfortunately, funding for childhood cancer treatment has long been inadequate, leaving children and their families with no access to optional or even unsafe cancer treatments. Through funding from organizations like CancerFree Kids, childhood cancer research can get the funding and attention it deserves. Most importantly, children with cancer can receive the treatment and care they need to live cancer-free.
People use crowdfunding to help charities
Thousands of people have used crowdfunding to support causes they care about. Here are some examples of people who have made a real difference.
Eco Walk – From dawn to dusk
Ella organizes fundraisers for the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that raises funds to protect ecosystems internationally and in the United States.
Ella, her friends, and interested community members plan to hike from sunrise to sunset around her home in Westchester County, a suburb of New York City. In their latest fundraising effort, the group ran 27 miles. Ella nearly reached her fundraising goal of $1,000, and all funds raised went directly to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
together in this tent
In San Francisco, there are approximately 5,200 homeless people living on the city’s streets.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizer Chelsea Ann realized that homeless people also needed a way to safely shelter. In response, his team is raising money for the Alliance for Homelessness, a nonprofit organization that organizes homeless people to protect their rights and fight for housing justice. The Homeless Coalition distributes tents to provide shelter for homeless people in San Francisco. A $25 donation will purchase one tent. To date, the In This Tent Together team has raised more than $12,500.
Men for Dads Fundraiser
Men who have lost their fathers or have never had a father figure in their lives come together to form Dudes For Dads. Their organization aims to help boys through the process of losing their father figures. Donations to the fundraiser will go to Big Brother Big Sister in the Capital Region, which serves at-risk youth through mentorship in the VA, DC and MD regions. Since creating the GoFundMe, they have raised more than $10,000.
Raise money for your favorite causes through charity fundraisers
need more help? By starting a charity fundraiser, you can multiply your support for the charities you care about. It’s an easy way to make a difference.
If you’re wondering why GoFundMe is one of the best charity fundraising sites, here are some reasons:
- Our simple crowdfunding platform allows you to set up a fundraising campaign in just minutes. When you create an approved charity fundraiser, all funds will be sent directly to your charity. You don’t need to manage your own funds. Easily share your fundraiser with all your contacts via email and social media.
- Our simple crowdfunding platform allows you to set up a fundraising campaign in just minutes.
- When you create an approved charity fundraiser, all funds will be sent directly to your charity. You don’t need to manage your own funds.
- Easily share your fundraiser with all your contacts via email and social media.
For inspiration, explore charity fundraisers on GoFundMe or check out this list of popular charity blog posts:
- Top 9 Fundraising Event Ideas Charity Fundraising Guide: How to Support Your Favorite Organizations How to Fundraise for Charity: 5 Tips for Success How to Raise Money Through Charity
- Top 9 Fundraising Event Ideas
- Charity Crowdfunding Guide: How to Support Your Favorite Causes
- How to Raise Money for Charity: 5 Tips for Success
- How to raise money through charity
Do good by giving back to causes you care about
Not everyone has the funds to support their favorite charities. If charitable donations aren’t in your budget, starting a fundraiser through GoFundMe gives you the opportunity to donate. Sign up today to create your own fundraiser and start raising money for America’s best charities.
