Giving Back
We believe in giving, by donating your time, treasure, and/or talent to do good work in the world and to support others who are doing good work in the world.
Give away a part of all you receive, to individuals or organizations that inspire you spiritually and/or who are otherwise doing good work in the world. Give because you are grateful for all that you have received, and in that gratitude you wish to share your good with others.
It's easier to give when you remember that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, and that we come into this physical world with no money and no material possessions and we will leave this physical world with no money and no material possessions. We're just temporary stewards of the resources entrusted to us while we're here.
What follows is a partial list of organizations that we believe in supporting financially because we believe they are doing good work in the world at large and/or locally through their local chapters. The list is in no particular order whatsoever (other than alphabetical), and the list should not be interpreted as an indication of our spiritual or political leanings, if that interpretation serves to alienate or otherwise divide us (if it does, then you're really missing the message).
What calls to us at the present time for our giving-back money is alleviating/ending hunger and poverty in the world. ("You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." - John Lennon). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, some 6 million children die each year as a result of hunger and malnutrition. While it may be true that "the poor will be with you always", not a single human being - and certainly never a child - should ever die because of hunger and malnutrition. At this point in the history of the human race, 6 million kids every year dying for want of food is not only unacceptable, it should rank right up there as a crime against humanity. And we have to do something to stop it. Thankfully, people are working very, very hard to do exactly that, and we help finance their efforts.
24,000 children die every day from preventable causes. Along with UNICEF, we believe that number should be zero. They are dying for want of medicines and vaccinations that the rest of the "civilized" world takes for granted. Because these deaths are also preventable, it is our responsibility to do something to stop this. So we also finance the efforts of people and the organizations that engage them to save the children of our planet beyond "just" feeding them.
With respect to these organizations, we don't demand or expect them to be perfect in everything they do (we all make mistakes, don't we?), nor do we have to subscribe 100% to everything they do or 100% in how they do it or even 100% in what they believe in, any more than we have to be 100% in tune with a parent, child, sibling or friend that we love and want to support to enable them to succeed in their endeavors, but we do believe enough in what they're doing to support them. We just think they're making enough of a positive difference in the world that we want to see them continue their good work in the world.
The point to be made here is, we believe in giving. If you're a religious person, then give to your church, and to the people leading and/or serving your church, and to the people your church is serving. If you're active in your local community, then give to those organizations in your community that you wish to see succeed in their endeavors right there in your own community. If you're a citizen of the planet Earth and you know that people are dying or suffering, and you have more than they do, then be a good steward and share some of it with your brothers and sisters. If one of us is dying or suffering, then we are all dying and suffering.
If you need a starting point, start with one or more organizations on the list that appears here, if you're so moved, or simply find your own. Check them out at websites like CharityNavigator.org or ECFA.org
Every charity on this page is here because they are doing the work we support being done in the world today.
They are all rated 4-stars (its highest rating) by CharityNavigator (at least they were when we first researched them - if you discover otherwise, be sure to let us know. We only want to support organizations that are good stewards of our donations, including using most of their donations for programs (their stated purpose) rather than marketing/fund-raising and administration.
You don't have to be an Evalengical Christian to appreciate the high standards of governance, financial stewardship and accountability ECFA requires of its members. A few of their member charities are on our list not because they are Evalengical Christian organizations but rather because of their extraordinarily efficient and effective use of the money that has been entrusted to them, which is the same reason all of the charities are listed on this page, whether they are ECFA members or not.
The point is, give! Make it a regular habit to give away a part of all that comes your way. Give away something to a friend or to a total stranger. But do it with joy in your heart. Give with no strings attached, no expectations of receiving anything in return (except good feelings). Make it fun! Make it a spiritual practice. Get involved in something bigger than yourself. Donate your time and your talent. Give away some money today! If you make it a regular practice, you will be amazed at the positive effect this has on your own personal and financial affairs.
P.S. Please let us know if any of the links here change or stop working.
Give away a part of all you receive, to individuals or organizations that inspire you spiritually and/or who are otherwise doing good work in the world. Give because you are grateful for all that you have received, and in that gratitude you wish to share your good with others.
It's easier to give when you remember that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, and that we come into this physical world with no money and no material possessions and we will leave this physical world with no money and no material possessions. We're just temporary stewards of the resources entrusted to us while we're here.
What follows is a partial list of organizations that we believe in supporting financially because we believe they are doing good work in the world at large and/or locally through their local chapters. The list is in no particular order whatsoever (other than alphabetical), and the list should not be interpreted as an indication of our spiritual or political leanings, if that interpretation serves to alienate or otherwise divide us (if it does, then you're really missing the message).
What calls to us at the present time for our giving-back money is alleviating/ending hunger and poverty in the world. ("You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." - John Lennon). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, some 6 million children die each year as a result of hunger and malnutrition. While it may be true that "the poor will be with you always", not a single human being - and certainly never a child - should ever die because of hunger and malnutrition. At this point in the history of the human race, 6 million kids every year dying for want of food is not only unacceptable, it should rank right up there as a crime against humanity. And we have to do something to stop it. Thankfully, people are working very, very hard to do exactly that, and we help finance their efforts.
24,000 children die every day from preventable causes. Along with UNICEF, we believe that number should be zero. They are dying for want of medicines and vaccinations that the rest of the "civilized" world takes for granted. Because these deaths are also preventable, it is our responsibility to do something to stop this. So we also finance the efforts of people and the organizations that engage them to save the children of our planet beyond "just" feeding them.
With respect to these organizations, we don't demand or expect them to be perfect in everything they do (we all make mistakes, don't we?), nor do we have to subscribe 100% to everything they do or 100% in how they do it or even 100% in what they believe in, any more than we have to be 100% in tune with a parent, child, sibling or friend that we love and want to support to enable them to succeed in their endeavors, but we do believe enough in what they're doing to support them. We just think they're making enough of a positive difference in the world that we want to see them continue their good work in the world.
The point to be made here is, we believe in giving. If you're a religious person, then give to your church, and to the people leading and/or serving your church, and to the people your church is serving. If you're active in your local community, then give to those organizations in your community that you wish to see succeed in their endeavors right there in your own community. If you're a citizen of the planet Earth and you know that people are dying or suffering, and you have more than they do, then be a good steward and share some of it with your brothers and sisters. If one of us is dying or suffering, then we are all dying and suffering.
If you need a starting point, start with one or more organizations on the list that appears here, if you're so moved, or simply find your own. Check them out at websites like CharityNavigator.org or ECFA.org
Every charity on this page is here because they are doing the work we support being done in the world today.
They are all rated 4-stars (its highest rating) by CharityNavigator (at least they were when we first researched them - if you discover otherwise, be sure to let us know. We only want to support organizations that are good stewards of our donations, including using most of their donations for programs (their stated purpose) rather than marketing/fund-raising and administration.
You don't have to be an Evalengical Christian to appreciate the high standards of governance, financial stewardship and accountability ECFA requires of its members. A few of their member charities are on our list not because they are Evalengical Christian organizations but rather because of their extraordinarily efficient and effective use of the money that has been entrusted to them, which is the same reason all of the charities are listed on this page, whether they are ECFA members or not.
The point is, give! Make it a regular habit to give away a part of all that comes your way. Give away something to a friend or to a total stranger. But do it with joy in your heart. Give with no strings attached, no expectations of receiving anything in return (except good feelings). Make it fun! Make it a spiritual practice. Get involved in something bigger than yourself. Donate your time and your talent. Give away some money today! If you make it a regular practice, you will be amazed at the positive effect this has on your own personal and financial affairs.
P.S. Please let us know if any of the links here change or stop working.
Families living in poverty are struggling heroically to overcome tremendous odds.
Christian Foundation for Children and Aging not only provides food, education, and health care to people living in poverty throughout the world, they also give families hope that they can create a path out of poverty for their children. They do this through education and livelihood programs to teach and help them become self-sufficient and lift themselves out of poverty.
They focus on the family, one family at a time, believing strong families make strong communities.
Christian Foundation for Children and Aging not only provides food, education, and health care to people living in poverty throughout the world, they also give families hope that they can create a path out of poverty for their children. They do this through education and livelihood programs to teach and help them become self-sufficient and lift themselves out of poverty.
They focus on the family, one family at a time, believing strong families make strong communities.
Their motto is "Healing a hurting world", and they are doing exactly that.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States, guided by the Episcopal Church's principles of compassion, dignity and generosity as we work to heal a hurting world. Episcopal Relief & Development reached more than two million people in over 40 countries last year. Rather than impose one size fits all solutions, Episcopal Relief & Development supports local, long-term initiatives that address poverty, hunger, disease, economic development and disaster response where the need is greatest. Our partnership with the worldwide Church creates opportunities to serve communities in some of the most remote areas of the world, as well as in urban environments where extreme poverty persists.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States, guided by the Episcopal Church's principles of compassion, dignity and generosity as we work to heal a hurting world. Episcopal Relief & Development reached more than two million people in over 40 countries last year. Rather than impose one size fits all solutions, Episcopal Relief & Development supports local, long-term initiatives that address poverty, hunger, disease, economic development and disaster response where the need is greatest. Our partnership with the worldwide Church creates opportunities to serve communities in some of the most remote areas of the world, as well as in urban environments where extreme poverty persists.
With volunteers serving more than 1,500,000 free plantbased meals daily, FOOD FOR LIFE is the largest vegan food relief in the world. This New York-based non-profit has been operating since 1974. They have served more than 855 million pure vegan/vegetarian meals throughout the world.
If you want to learn more about plant-based sustenance - for your health and for the health of the planet - may we suggest you read Diet for a New America by John Robbins and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II. These are life-changers, and we're speaking from personal experience when we say this.
If you want to learn more about plant-based sustenance - for your health and for the health of the planet - may we suggest you read Diet for a New America by John Robbins and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II. These are life-changers, and we're speaking from personal experience when we say this.
Their motto is "We go the hard places", and they do exactly that.
Since 1971, Food for the Hungry has boldly served and spoken out for the poor, sending courageous men and women to help communities, by the power and grace of God, achieve sustainable, lasting transformation. Food for the Hungry is more than a relief and development organization. We are a tested, trusted and innovative partner who respectively walks with the poor in more than 26 countries worldwide while intentionally reflecting the love of Jesus. Food for the Hungry implements transformational development programs in impoverished communities around the world. Our programs include: food and agriculture; water and sanitation; health and nutrition; child sponsorship; HIV/AIDS; economic development; church development; disaster relief; and shipping gifts in kind.
Since 1971, Food for the Hungry has boldly served and spoken out for the poor, sending courageous men and women to help communities, by the power and grace of God, achieve sustainable, lasting transformation. Food for the Hungry is more than a relief and development organization. We are a tested, trusted and innovative partner who respectively walks with the poor in more than 26 countries worldwide while intentionally reflecting the love of Jesus. Food for the Hungry implements transformational development programs in impoverished communities around the world. Our programs include: food and agriculture; water and sanitation; health and nutrition; child sponsorship; HIV/AIDS; economic development; church development; disaster relief; and shipping gifts in kind.
This is the U.S.-based arm of the United Nations World Food Programme, which you can learn even more about directly at www.wfp.org
If you want to make tax-deductible donations to support the U.N. World Food Programme, you make them through the U.S.-based Friends of the United Nations World Food Program. Otherwise, you may donate directly to the U.N. Programme but you don't get the tax-deduction. Make sense?
Established in 1995, Friends of the World Food Program is a U.S.-based organization that is dedicated to building support for the World Food Program (WFP) and other hunger relief efforts. WFP is the largest international food aid organization in the world and the United Nations' frontline agency in the fight against hunger. Friends of WFP increases awareness about global hunger issues; mobilizes support for hunger relief programs and activities; and generates resources for WFP operations and other activities that alleviate hunger. To achieve these goals, Friends of WFP engages in advocacy, outreach, and fundraising activities. In collaboration with other groups, Friends of WFP is also active in building political support for U.S. government food aid programs.
If you want to make tax-deductible donations to support the U.N. World Food Programme, you make them through the U.S.-based Friends of the United Nations World Food Program. Otherwise, you may donate directly to the U.N. Programme but you don't get the tax-deduction. Make sense?
Established in 1995, Friends of the World Food Program is a U.S.-based organization that is dedicated to building support for the World Food Program (WFP) and other hunger relief efforts. WFP is the largest international food aid organization in the world and the United Nations' frontline agency in the fight against hunger. Friends of WFP increases awareness about global hunger issues; mobilizes support for hunger relief programs and activities; and generates resources for WFP operations and other activities that alleviate hunger. To achieve these goals, Friends of WFP engages in advocacy, outreach, and fundraising activities. In collaboration with other groups, Friends of WFP is also active in building political support for U.S. government food aid programs.
Plant With Purpose (formerly known as Floresta USA) is a Christian organization which reverses deforestation and poverty in the world, by transforming the lives of the rural poor. Plant With Purpose and its Dominican sister organization, Floresta Incorporada, were founded in 1984 out of a new vision for economic development that would be sustainable and benefit the environment. Plant With Purpose sought to make lasting change through development that restored productivity to degraded land and dignity to the rural poor, while providing opportunities for upcoming generations. Currently there are over 2,000 families who are benefiting from Plant With Purpose's program in Haiti, Mexico and the Dominican Republic: receiving loans, training in sustainable agriculture and reforestation, assistance in community organizing, capacity building, and marketing assistance.
"Doing whatever it takes to save a child."
The United States Fund for UNICEF was founded in 1947 to support the work of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) by raising funds for its programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, we are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives. Every moment of every day, UNICEF is on the ground providing lifesaving help for children in need. We provide families with health care, clean water and sanitation, we vaccinate against childhood illness, and we help protect children against malaria. We provide nourishment to fight malnutrition, and we care for children affected by AIDS. We protect children from abuse, and we give them an education. We are here to make sure that all children lead a healthy, humane, and dignified life.
UNICEF, working in 150 countries, saves more children than any other humanitarian aid organization in the world. Every day, 24,000 children (CHILDREN!) die from preventable causes. UNICEF will not stop working until that number is ZERO.
The United States Fund for UNICEF was founded in 1947 to support the work of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) by raising funds for its programs and increasing awareness of the challenges facing the world's children. The oldest of 37 national committees for UNICEF worldwide, we are part of a global effort to save, protect and improve children's lives. Every moment of every day, UNICEF is on the ground providing lifesaving help for children in need. We provide families with health care, clean water and sanitation, we vaccinate against childhood illness, and we help protect children against malaria. We provide nourishment to fight malnutrition, and we care for children affected by AIDS. We protect children from abuse, and we give them an education. We are here to make sure that all children lead a healthy, humane, and dignified life.
UNICEF, working in 150 countries, saves more children than any other humanitarian aid organization in the world. Every day, 24,000 children (CHILDREN!) die from preventable causes. UNICEF will not stop working until that number is ZERO.
Oft-described as non-denominational "Practical Christianity", Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual's right to choose a spiritual path. Unity nourishes people around the world spiritually, unlike any other spiritual organization we have ever encountered.
We hope they are few and far between, but in your deepest, darkest, loneliest moments, you may wish you had somewhere to turn, someone to pray with you. Would you believe all it takes is a single phone call to Silent Unity? Available 24/7, always completely confidential, at 1-800-NOW-PRAY (1-800-669-7729), Silent Unity has been praying with people, one-on-one, all around the world, continuously for 120 years. They have always done so at no charge, relying on free-will voluntary donations to support this incredibly powerful work. By the way, you don't need to be having one of your deepest, darkest, loneliest moments to call them - any prayer need will suffice.
The Unity approach to prayer is affirmative, based on positive prayers and affirmations that have universal, interfaith appeal.
In addition to its aforementioned Silent Unity prayer service, Unity is well-known as the publisher of Daily Word, its longstanding monthly publication of daily uplifting affirmative prayer. Unity does have churches and spiritual centers throughout the world, should you be looking for a place to hook up with others of like mind and progressive spiritual leaning.
We hope they are few and far between, but in your deepest, darkest, loneliest moments, you may wish you had somewhere to turn, someone to pray with you. Would you believe all it takes is a single phone call to Silent Unity? Available 24/7, always completely confidential, at 1-800-NOW-PRAY (1-800-669-7729), Silent Unity has been praying with people, one-on-one, all around the world, continuously for 120 years. They have always done so at no charge, relying on free-will voluntary donations to support this incredibly powerful work. By the way, you don't need to be having one of your deepest, darkest, loneliest moments to call them - any prayer need will suffice.
The Unity approach to prayer is affirmative, based on positive prayers and affirmations that have universal, interfaith appeal.
In addition to its aforementioned Silent Unity prayer service, Unity is well-known as the publisher of Daily Word, its longstanding monthly publication of daily uplifting affirmative prayer. Unity does have churches and spiritual centers throughout the world, should you be looking for a place to hook up with others of like mind and progressive spiritual leaning.
"Building a better world for children."
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.