These are groups doing good work in the United States, Canada and around the world. Pick a place, pick a cause, or search by name. Every link goes to the group’s own official website.
We are not paid by anyone on this list. We just think they deserve to be seen. If you know a group we should add, send it my way.
Feeding America
A nationwide network of food banks and pantries working to get meals to neighbors in need.
No Kid Hungry
Works to make sure kids get the healthy meals they need at school and at home.
Meals on Wheels America
Supports local programs that bring meals and a friendly visit to seniors.
Food Rescue US
Uses volunteers and an app to move good surplus food to people who need it.
Good360
Connects companies with surplus goods to nonprofits that can put them to use.
Habitat for Humanity
Builds and repairs homes with families and volunteers so more people have a safe place to live.
Volunteers of America
Local programs for housing, health and family support in communities across the country.
United Way
Brings neighbors and local groups together to help with education, income and health.
Goodwill Industries
Job training and employment services funded by community donations.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Matches young people with mentors who show up and care.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Safe places after school where kids can learn, play and grow.
Best Buddies
Builds friendships and job opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Special Olympics
Sports and community for people with intellectual disabilities, built on respect and joy.
DonorsChoose
Lets anyone fund classroom projects that public school teachers request.
Reading Is Fundamental
Helps children build a love of reading with free books and literacy programs.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Mails free books to children from birth to age five.
Khan Academy
Free lessons and practice for students and adults in many subjects.
Girls Who Code
Programs that help girls learn to code and see a future in tech.
Teach For America
Recruits and supports teachers who work in under-resourced classrooms.
AmeriCorps
National service programs where people give a year or more to their communities.
Idealist
Listings for volunteer roles, jobs and internships at groups making a difference.
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Free ideas and resources to help people spread kindness at home, school and work.
Operation Gratitude
Sends care packages and letters of thanks to service members and veterans.
Honor Flight Network
Flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to honor them.
Fisher House Foundation
Free places to stay for military and veteran families during medical care.
Folds of Honor
Scholarships for the families of fallen and disabled service members.
Wounded Warrior Project
Programs that support injured veterans and their families.
Team Rubicon
Veterans and volunteers who help communities recover after disasters.
American Red Cross
Disaster relief, blood donation and training in communities across the country.
Direct Relief
Delivers medicines and medical supplies to health workers where they are needed.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Treats children with cancer and shares its research freely with the world.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Gives families a place to stay close to their sick child in the hospital.
NAMI
Education, support groups and advocacy for people living with mental health conditions and their families.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 any time to talk with a caring, trained counselor.
AARP Foundation
Works to reduce hunger, isolation and financial worry for older adults.
Best Friends Animal Society
Works toward a time when no pet is killed in a shelter.
The Humane Society of the United States
Helps animals through rescue, care and protective laws.
Ocean Conservancy
Protects the ocean and leads annual cleanups of shorelines.
Surfrider Foundation
Protects beaches and coastal waters through local chapters and volunteers.
National Park Foundation
Supports the national parks and the people who care for them.
Doctors Without Borders
Medical teams that care for people in conflict, disaster and outbreak zones.
World Central Kitchen
Serves fresh meals to people after disasters and in times of crisis.
Heifer International
Helps farming families build lasting income with animals, training and support.
International Rescue Committee
Helps people uprooted by conflict and disaster survive and rebuild.
Room to Read
Supports literacy and girls’ education in communities across Asia and Africa.
GlobalGiving
A giving platform that connects donors with vetted community projects worldwide.
Ashoka
Supports social entrepreneurs who are solving problems in their own communities.
Rotary International
Neighbors and leaders who join to take action on local and global needs.
Lions Clubs International
Volunteers who serve their communities, with a special focus on vision.
Charity Navigator
Free ratings and information to help you check a charity before you give.
Food Banks Canada
Supports the national network of food banks and works on solutions to hunger.
Daily Bread Food Bank
Toronto’s food bank, supplying food to many neighbourhood programs.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Canadian churches and farmers working together to end hunger around the world.
Canadian Mental Health Association
Supports mental health in local communities across Canada.
United Way Centraide Canada
Local United Way groups working on community needs across Canada.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Mentoring that helps young people see what is possible.
Terry Fox Foundation
Carries on Terry Fox’s dream through the Terry Fox Run and cancer research.
SickKids Foundation
Supports care and research at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
Keeps families close to their sick children during hospital stays.
Wounded Warriors Canada
Mental health support for Canadian veterans, first responders and their families.
Stephen Lewis Foundation
Supports grassroots groups caring for families affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Helps people connect with and protect Canada’s wildlife.
Links open the group’s own site in a new tab. Always check a charity yourself before you give.
