‘Tis the season for giving… This month, consider adding a non-profit to your “nice” list. If you’re not sure where to start, we've listed a few organizations that we think are worth checking out. Whether you donate your time, money, or even blood, we hope you’ll join us in sharing the spirit of the season with the cause of your choice.

Galápagos Conservancy
https://www.galapagos.org
The non-profit, U.S.-based Galápagos Conservancy works directly with local partners in the islands to protect native species, rewild the archipelago’s complex land and marine ecosystems, and encourage long-term sustainable practices through community education and empowerment.

Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center
http://www.learningcentercostarica.org
Funded in part by its ecotourism activities, the SCLC's programs benefit local residents in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica (where Selva Verde Lodge is located). Programs include a public library that is part of the National Library System, a computer center, English language classes, rural community tourism activities, and many ad hoc programs.

Friends of Meali International
https://www.americanfriendsofmeali.org
Friends of Meali International is a small non-profit organization working to improve the educational environment for Tanzanian children. Established in 2009, the organization serves more than 2,000 students across four primary schools annually, with the goal of increasing educational access for all, especially girls. Community input drives their projects, which include funding building projects, providing much-needed supplies, and implementing academic initiatives such as hiring more teachers.

Sea Turtle Conservancy
http://www.conserveturtles.org
The Sea Turtle Conservancy, formerly known as the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is the world's oldest sea turtle research and conservation group. As an international nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Sea Turtle Conservancy was founded in 1959 by world-renowned sea turtle expert Dr. Archie Carr to save sea turtles from eminent extinction through rigorous science-based conservation. Headquartered in Florida, the organization carries out worldwide programs to conserve and recover sea turtle populations through research, education, advocacy, and protection of the natural habitats upon which they depend.

Center for Responsible Travel
https://www.responsibletravel.org
CREST is a unique research organization dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism. CREST assists governments, tourism businesses, non-profits, and international agencies with finding solutions to critical issues confronting tourism, the world’s largest service industry.

Your local Audubon chapter
http://www.audubon.org
For more than a century, Audubon has worked to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. You can support the National Audubon Society at the link above, or find your local Audubon chapter at http://www.audubon.org/search-by-zip.

Fund for Teachers
http://www.fundforteachers.org
Fund for Teachers supports educators' efforts to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence that impact student achievement. By trusting teachers to design unique fellowships, Fund for Teachers grants validate teachers' professionalism and leadership, as well. Since 2001, Fund for Teachers has invested $35 million in neary 9,200 teachers, transforming grants into growth for teachers and their students.

Local schoolteachers
http://www.donorschoose.org
DonorsChoose.org helps public school educators fund classroom projects to benefit their students, raising money for school supplies, field trips, new technology, and everything in between. You can search for projects that need funding in your own community, by need, or by topic/subject, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

Rainforest Alliance
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behavior. Rainforest Alliance believes that the best way to keep forests standing is by ensuring that it is profitable for businesses and communities to do so. They are committed to helping farmers, forest managers, and tourism businesses realize greater economic benefits by ensuring their employees and the ecosystems within and around their operations are protected.

Organizations abroad
www.packforapurpose.org
Our travelers often ask us how they can make a difference in the destinations they visit. If you're planning a trip, consider saving room in your luggage to carry much-needed supplies for schools, medical clinics, or budding naturalists. Programs like Pack for a Purpose connect donors with recipient organizations and help travelers make a positive impact in host communities.

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
The American Red Cross exists to provide compassionate care to those in need. Their mission is preventing and relieving suffering at home and around the world, through five key service areas: disaster relief, supporting military families, collecting lifesaving blood donations, providing health and safety services, and giving international support such as responding to disasters, building safer communities, and educating future humanitarians.

Originally published December 2019; last updated December 2024