A lot of people have asked me where to donate, which I am grateful to hear and excited to support. But first, let’s talk about best practices for giving. Remember that this moment of uprising comes from decades of organizing, and hundreds of years of both oppression and fierce resistance. Donating once is like watering a plant one day and hoping it will thrive forever. Prepare to share your money and your resources in a way that is holistic and long-term, the way you would nurture a garden filled with new seeds and blooms.
Give monthly, versus a single annual gift — Organizations can count on this cashflow to be steady and sustainable, just the way most people like their incomes to be.
Make multi-year gifts — Consider making a 3-year commitment, or stretch to 5, or 10 if it excites you! You wouldn’t invest in your retirement account for just one year, right?
Give big! Be bold — Similar to muscular workouts, if it feels too easy, you’re probably not stretching to your potential. A guideline is to give a meaningful amount or percentage, like many faith traditions recommend and I honor as well - Consider giving 5-10% of your income, and/or 5-25% of your liquid assets.
Give beyond the 501(c)3 structure — c3 structures are non-profit organizations that do important community organizing and power-building work with their bases. Support them! And, c3s are limited by the law in their political advocacy, so while those gifts are tax-deductible, they don’t meet the full need for change. Give to c4s, give to political action committees (PACs), give to political candidates you want to see elected — give where your heart and politics align, and don’t let tax deductions guide or limit you.
Support and accountability — If you want to find and meet your giving edge, schedule a coaching session with me. We will create the space to unearth your values, what a meaningful giving amount is for you, and where you want it to flow.
Where to Donate
For solidarity with Palestine
COVID crisis in India
Covid-Relief Donations to any/all of these non-profits organized by Diaspora Co., continuously updated to direct to the most urgent and most needed places
Thanks to Astraea Foundation for COVID-19 fundraisers in India in support of impacted migrant workers, adivasi (indiginous) communities, transgender persons, people living with HIV, Dalit garbage collectors & sanitation workers, domestic workers, and unhoused folks
For AAPI Solidarity
If you want even more organizations, this Groundswell newsletter includes a much longer list of AAPI organizations
For solidarity with sex workers
For trans solidarity — Thanks to Third Root Community Health Center for putting together this list
BLMP (Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project) at Transgender Law Center
Black Trans Fund at Groundswell Fund
Fund for Trans Generations at Borealis Philanthropy
Supporting National Movements for Black Liberation
Movement for Black Lives aka M4BL. Donate here. This ecosystem is the central network of over 150+ Black-led organizations leading the way to justice.
Color Of Change — Read the Active Campaigns and sign on to support Justice for Breonna Taylor.
NAACP Legal Defense Fund — Criminal Justice, Economic Justice, Education, Political Participation
National Bail Fund Network — Supporting and organizing around cash bail/bonds
Support any/all of these 70+ Incredible Black-led Organizations who are Borealis Philanthropy grantees
At the Intersections
Give locally — Place-based social justice funds are a good place to start learning about the social justice work happening locally.
North Star Fund (NY)
Social Justice Fund NW (Seattle)
Chinook Fund (Denver)
Bread and Roses Fund (Philly)
Crossroads Fund (Chicago)
Hawaii Peoples Fund (HI)
Liberty Hill (LA)
Cypress Fund (NC)
Diverse City Fund (DC)
Haymarket Peoples Fund (Boston)
Transforming Power Fund (Detroit)
Donor Networks — Connect with other donors to think critically and strategically about giving.