20 Charities to Give to This Holiday Season
T&C editors share their favorite ways to give back in honor of Giving Tuesday.
Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
In honor of Giving Tuesday, Town & Country editors are sharing the charitable organizations and endeavors they choose to support. From championing voters rights to protecting vulnerable children and families, read on for a little inspiration this giving season.
Broadway Cares
"As so many of us celebrate the return of Broadway it’s so important to remember how hard hit this community was by the pandemic and unprecedented shutdown of theaters and how many in this community remain out of work and without healthcare."—Stellene Volandes, Editor-in-Chief
Intersos
"Intersos was one of the non-profits we highlighted in T&C's annual Philanthropy issue, and with good reason. The Rome-based humanitarian organization focused its pandemic efforts toward vulnerable populations, and that need has not diminished as much of the developing world continues to struggle to access medication, shelter, and basic goods. On this Giving Tuesday, Intersos and its beneficiaries could use your attention and support."—Erik Maza, Style Features Director
METAvivor
"Shockingly, very minimal attention and resources are paid to Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. METAvivor exists to not only bring public attention and awareness to specifics issues and facts about metastatic breast cancer, but is also the only organization that exclusively funds MBC research through a scientific peer-review process. This volunteer-led non-profit funds vital research to improve the quality of life and longevity of MBC patients. This year, I will be making an extra donation to METAvivor in honor of my late friend and colleague Mara Model, who held METAvivor very near and dear to her heart."—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Senior Digital Editor
Together Rising
"Whenever I felt helpless or overwhelmed by tragic news this year, I found myself clicking over to Together Rising to donate. In 2021 they offered relief after the earthquake in Haitii, provided aid to victims of hurricane Ida, and helped organizations working to resettle Afghan families arriving in the US. They also offer help to individuals in medical and financial crisis to get the resources they need. This holiday season they are focusing their support on essential workers and their families, providing daycare and education to migrant workers’ children."—Erin Hobday, Executive Managing Editor
First Nations Development Institute
"Did you know November is National American Indian Heritage Month? It’s no coincidence that it’s celebrated at the same time as Thanksgiving. Indigenous Americans have been treated like second class citizens on their own land—herded into ever-shrinking reservations, stripped of the rights and privileges they were once promised, misrepresented, and largely forgotten with little regard for their struggles and well-being, or the preservation of their culture and history. By supporting the First Nations Development Institute, you can help strengthen these communities and their economies. "—Meg Donohue, Contributor
Save the Children x Bulgari
"For Giving Tuesday this year, I’ll be shopping for a good cause. Bulgari has teamed up with Save the Children to provide positive impact to 1500 underserved kids in Texas and California with art supplies to create an installation in partnership with a local artist. The installation will be made up of water bottles that each child designs and paints and contains a note with their wishes for a better future. Proceeds of the sale of the Save the Children collection will go directly to the organization. Bulgari North America President Daniel Paltridge expresses that the company’s 'mission of supporting childhood development through art education is more important than ever.' I could not agree more."—MaryKate Boylan, Senior Fashion Editor
Make a Wish
"The Make-A-Wish Foundation not only provides children with critical illnesses a once-in-a-lifetime experience of their choosing, it helps to bring together loved ones and families of Wish Kids. A Wish can be a huge boost in a child's morale and a reminder that they can still have fun, be active, and have new experiences despite their illness. Make-A-Wish goes above and beyond to deliver these experiences to children, and continues to make dreams come true."—Sarah Adams, Freelance Fashion Assistant
ASPCA
"I have received so much love from the pets I’ve adopted, and I’m forever thankful to the organizations that have helped bring these amazing creatures into my life. For this reason, I give to local shelters as well as the ASPCA and Humane Society. These groups not only rescue and place lost and homeless animals, but they work tirelessly to animal abuse and neglect. "—Kristin Fitzpatrick, Design Director
Girls Write Now
“I don’t need to sell you on the power of the written word, right? Girls Write Now pairs underserved high school girls with mentors to help them with their college essays, internship and scholarship applications, network, and creative writing skills to give them a leg-up in their future. As a mentor myself, I can vouch that these kids truly benefit from the targeted support and that it is a joyful organization that celebrates girl power.” ."—Olivia Hosken, Style & Interiors Writer
Oscar de la Renta Encore
"Should some charitable—and sustainable—shopping be your Giving Tuesday route of choice, then I would suggest checking out Oscar de la Renta's new re-sale platform Encore. Not only does this new initiative extend the life and utility of vintage pieces (which are sourced from clients and reputable vintage sellers for a selection of one of a kind pieces) but when you sell, there is an option for the proceeds of your piece to be donated to partners such as Habitat for Humanity, Dress for Success, World Central Kitchen, and the Colleagues of Los Angeles."—Dania Ortiz, Fashion and Accessories Director
Callen-Lorde
"Coming from family of health care providers-I was honored to be introduced by way of my dear friend Satchel Lee to the Callen-Lorde Organization. They offer empowering, non-judgmental, body positive, healthcare services to all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. I firmly believe in their ethos “of closing the gap in health disparities for LGBTQIA+ communities around the globe though policy, advocacy, education and research.”—Share Koech, Freelance Fashion Assistan
The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
"A worthy cause to consider donating to is the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. It is the oldest child protection agency in the world and their services are especially relevant now more than ever as social distancing guidelines are causing a rise in rates of domestic violence and abuse. The NYSPCC gives children a voice and the tools they need to heal from traumas they have experienced and keep them safe."—MaryKate Boylan, Fashion Market Editor (2020 submission)
Friends of Radnor Lake
"Throughout the pandemic, I found such solace in nature, and so now, I'm searching for ways to give back. One of my favorite spots to walk throughout this lockdown has been Radnor Lake in Nashville, so this year, a donation is heading to the group that helps to protect and preserve that stunning public land."―Caroline Hallemann, Digital News Director (2020 submission)
The Sentencing Project
"This past election cycle opened my eyes to a range of ways in which Americans are disenfranchised during national, statewide, and local elections, and one group in particular are those with felony convictions. Felony convictions can be as minor as elevated misdemeanors, and this type of voter suppression is most harmful to poor communities and communities of color—and leads to a lack of representation across key political issues. The Sentencing Project works to promote reforms in sentencing policy, while advocating for alternatives to incarceration."—Lucia Tonelli, Assistant Editor (2020 submission)
Food Bank of New York City
"I have a recurring monthly donation set up for the Food Bank of New York City. Though many people are in need during the winter months, food insecurity is a year-round crisis. Canned and packaged donations are good items to give, but so is a financial gift, so consider setting up a donation to your local food bank so they can stay open all year."—Liz Cantrell, assistant to the Editor in Chief (2020 submission)
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
"The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others prove that the fight for racial equality, and against police brutality, in this country is far from over. Founded by Justice Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund uses litigation, advocacy, and public education to work towards racial justice and equality for all Americans, from protecting voting rights to enacting criminal justice reform to improving equal access to education."—Annie Goldsmith, Editorial Fellow (2020 submission)
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
"In the past two years I wanted to help the pandemic relief efforts, but figuring out which organizations are best placed to make a difference was intimidating. That's why I've been donating to the CDP's special COVID-19 response fund. It's set up to benefit a variety of nonprofits that are working toward pandemic relief, including those providing PPE to frontline medical workers, offering resources for vulnerable populations, and supporting small businesses that have been strained by the pandemic."—Lauren Hubbard, Contributor (2020 submission)
Elizabeth’s Hope and The Children’s Brain Tumor Project
"Elizabeth’s Hope and The Children’s Brain Tumor Project are linked organizations very near and dear to my heart. Certain pediatric cancers have low survival rates because for decades there was a lack of funding for new research—particularly when the cancers are rare. Elizabeth’s Hope and The Children’s Brain Tumor Project of the Weill Cornell Pediatric Brain and Spine Center work tirelessly to bring hope to patients and families whose children have received heartbreaking diagnoses, through their work with genomic data that allows for personalized tumor therapy, helping to innovate treatment in an area that has been historically underserved. To boot: the project is powered by families and receives minimal funding from major foundations and government agencies. Generosity here ensures that those who might be overlooked received the support they need."—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Senior Digital Editor (2020 submission)
Committee to Protect Journalists
"The general election underlined the importance of a free press to a functioning democracy. In the face of relentless attacks on the media and widespread disinformation campaigns by both domestic and foreign actors on all manner of issues, but especially the legitimacy of the electoral process, reporters kept the American public informed without fear or favor so they could make smart decisions about the future of the country. For that, and so much more, they have my undivided support, as does the Committee to Protect Journalists, an organization dedicated to a heroic mission increasingly under attack. CPJ deserves your support, too."—Erik Maza, Style Features Director (2020 submission)
World Central Kitchen
"Food has become a central issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many unable to access regular meals and millions of restaurant workers laid off or furloughed due to ongoing constraints to stop the spread of the virus. To help both sides of the equation, Chef José Andrés' charity has partnered with more than 2,400 restaurants in 400 cities across the nation to provide jobs for restaurant staff creating and distributing meals for those in need. To date, they've provided more than 11 million meals and paid over $117 million into local restaurants to help keep them afloat. I'll be proud to say that my donation played some small part in that."—Lauren Hubbard, Contributor (2020 submission)
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