There’s never a bad time to step up and make a change. Issues around climate change, human rights, LGBTQIA+ freedoms, and more seem to always be on the news cycle.
Even small actions can have a significant impact on the planet and your community.
A good place to start is finding the best charity to donate to for your unique passions and interests. From putting an end to animal cruelty to cleaning the oceans to funding research to cure cancer, every donation matters.
There are organizations for an endless array of causes, giving you the chance to find the ones that resonate with you most.
But not all organizations are created equal.
Some organizations donate less than 3% or their donations to a cause, while others have landed themselves in hot water with bad press due to dishonest or harmful operations.
To help save you time searching, we’ve rounded up some of the best charities to donate your time and money to in 2021 — from environmental charities to human rights to public health and more.
Best Environmental Charities
Arguably one of the most pressing issues facing us today is climate change and its impact on habitats and weather patterns.
In just the past 35 years, we’ve put ourselves in a precarious situation with surpluses of fossil fuels warming the temperature of the Earth. Now is the time to take action by contributing to a global climate movement.
Give back to Mother Nature with these top-rated environmental charities.
1. The Sierra Club Foundation
This environmental foundation provides clean energy, protects local wildlife, and takes grassroots actions to move the planet toward renewable energy sources.
As a 4-star rated charity, they spend 88% of funds directly toward environmental programs. With their Sierra Student Coalition, they’re engaging today’s youth in preserving the planet for future generations.
Donate to The Sierra Club now >
2. Environmental Defense Action Fund
It has been quite the year for misinformation, especially when it comes to scientific facts. That’s where this powerful bipartisan climate group comes into play.
By educating on climate protection and fighting mis-information across the aisle, EDF Action advocates to elect pro-environmental legislators into office. You can join the cause by calling your local senators and signing the People’s Climate petition.
Learn more about the Environmental Defense Action Fund >
Best Human Rights Charities
As we know, it is not enough to simply be aware of human rights violations across the globe. It takes collective action to protect communities and peoples’ right to build a happy and healthy life — for themselves and their families.
To start, we recommend getting involved with any of these 3 human rights organizations.
1. Human Rights First
America was a country built by immigrants from all over the world. Today, the pursuit of freedom for immigrants coming to America has led to detention centers, delayed citizenship, and the separation of children from their families.
Many families seeking asylum in the US from their home countries end up in jail-like facilities, causing even more trauma as they attempt to seek refuge. Human Rights First provides representation, litigation, and advocacy for families in unjust incarceration.
Get involved with Human Rights First >
2. Action Against Hunger
Awarded an A+ rating from Charity Watch in 2020, this global humanitarian organization fights hunger in 46 countries, and has provided help for 17 million children so far.
93% of their funding goes toward nutrition, food security, and bringing clean water to those in high-need areas.
3. Action Against Hunger
Transgender people have historically faced discrimination and violence around the world, including legislation that challenges their basic rights.
This organization is pivotal for members of transgender community to obtain equal opportunities through a variety of programs.
The Racial and Economic Justice Initiative, for example, protects transgender people of color in rural communities that are the most discriminated in health care and social services.
They also assist in ID documentation to help members of the community change their names to reflect their gender identities.
Learn more about Transgender rights and equality programs >
Best Public Health Charities
While healthcare is a human right, we’re far from providing adequate health services to those that need them most across the globe.
With scientific research along with public fundraising, we can do amazing things to keep those we love healthy and happy.
Here are some of our favorite charities in the public health sector.
1. Wounded Warriors
Awarded a GuideStar Gold Transparency Award in 2021, Wounded Warriors make a tremendous effort to never leave a soldier or their families behind after a life-threatening injury in battle.
Their programs include providing resources and financial aid to impacted military families. The Mobility Is Freedom program launched in 2015 gives modified Ford vehicles to paralyzed and disabled veterans.
Support veterans and their families >
2. The American Kidney Fund
The nation’s top non-profit for kidney diseases, AKF works with millions of at-risk and recovering patients with kidney failure.
They have plenty of ways to get involved, from building a fundraiser in your community to running in a 37 mile race to donating your used car to a kidney patient so that they can get to their appointments with ease.
Advocacy is also a large part of what they do, so getting involved could also mean joining the Advocacy Network and contacting your local representatives.
Learn more about the American Kidney Fund >
Best Animal Charities
If you’re passionate about the treatment of pets, wildlife, and farm animals, you’ll find many great animal charities to donate to online.
Many of these organizations help to keep endangered species alive and fight for the closure of inhumane zoos and animal captivity.
No matter which animals you’re passionate about protecting, you can find an organization dedicated to protecting their habitat and way of life.
Plenty of these initiatives are linked heavily to legislation, like banning the selling of cats and dogs in pet stores that subject animals to overbreeding and harsh conditions. Laws like this help protect our planet’s most beautiful and beloved creatures.
1. Animal Welfare Institute
AWI is certainly no stranger to the nonprofit game. 91% of funds go toward their plethora of programs. It only costs $1 to bring in $100 of cash donations — which makes them a highly efficient charity that you’ll definitely want to add to your list.
Here you can help protect animals in laboratories, report animal cruelty in your community, help outlaw illegal whaling, campaign for endangered species, and more.
Find your animal initiative here >
2. The Humane League
130 billion animals suffer every day in factory farms. The Humane League is doing something about it.
Their 15 years of grassroots actions have freed chickens and livestock from inhumane cages all over the world. They’ve taken on large corporations responsible for inhumane treatment, including General Mills, Subway, Burger King, and more.
Their awards speak for themselves — Best in America, 2020 Ace Top Charity, and a Seal of Transparency. This makes them an excellent and trusted place to donate your spare change.
Get involved with The Humane League today >
How Will You Change Your Community This Year?
At FunditOn, we’re all about finding the most powerful platform to do good.
We can help you discover new charities and non-profit organizations to do just that — in a more inclusive and accessible ways that fit your needs and charity goals.
FunditOn is a person-to-person marketplace that converts donors’ new and used goods into financial support for charities, non-profit organizations, and personal causes that you can trust.
Whether you’re passionate about human rights, the climate, the justice system, or al three, every small action you take can lead to significant changes in the world.
When we say “every dollar counts,” we really mean it. And we can’t wait to see how you will help your communities in meaningful ways.
We’ll help you find the cause that fits your passions and has the greatest impact.