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Looking for some nonprofits to support this holiday season? We researched some of the best-rated and most celebrated environmental nonprofits worthy of your support.
Earth Justice wields the power of law to issue and help enact positive environmental legislate that will protect and safeguard precious natural resources, ecosystems, and people. As the nation’s original and largest nonprofit environmental law organization, Earth Justice leverages the expertise and commitment of their staff to fight for justice and advance the promise of a healthy world for all– and did we mention they do it for free? “We represent every one of our clients free of charge,” EJ notes of the big and small nonprofits they represent, which harkens to and somewhat explains their increasingly prescient tagline: “Because the Earth needs a good lawyer.” Your donation to Earth Justice helps the legal team tackle expensive legal battles that are often required to catalyze change.
Wild Oceans works to address the threats to our global fishing economy, from over fishing and poor coastal management to environmental degradation and the preservation of endangered species like blue marlin. The authority for conserving fisheries in United States waters arises from several statutes, but ultimately, Earth contains only one global ocean, a place where better policies leads to more dynamic fishing, a cleaner and well-functioning ecosystem, and a safer seafood supply chain. A donation to Wild Oceans helps keep the ocean, well, wild— which ultimately improves conditions for current and future consumers and fishermen alike.
Friends of the Earth, with its coincidental acronym FOE, correctly defines Climate Change as “the definitive challenge of our time” and works to promote environmental protection through activism, awareness campaigns, and political advocacy to address government malfeasance and corporate green. (Their homepage currently reads “Donate now and help fuel the environmental resistance to Trump”, if that’s any indication of where they stand.) Friends of the Earth led the effort to expose corruption and pro-oil bias in the State Department’s review of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline, and they’ve also worked to stop nuclear reactors, keep GMO seafood off of grocery shelves, protecting Puget Sound from ship dumping, and ending polluter subsidies for Big Oil.
In addition to his work as a public advocate, the Academy Award winning actor founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998, with the goal of “support[ing] projects around the world that build climate resiliency, protect vulnerable wildlife, and restore balance to threatened ecosystems and communities.” So far the LDF has awarded over $80 million in grants in over 50 countries, from mangrove conservation to promoting indigenous-led conservation and nationhood. To donate, go here.
Long established as one of the most powerful advocacy bodies in the realm of environmental preservation, the Sierra Club Foundation has been supporting environmental protection initiatives since its establishment as a watchdog organization in 1960. Support of the Sierra Club Foundation helps build “a just and healthy society for people and nature through the power of public education, advocacy, organizing, research, strategic communications and litigation.” Long celebrated as a reliable servant of the public good, the Sierra Club is rated a 4-star charity on Charity Navigator and has received an A-rating from CharityWatch.
Worried about Monsanto, GMO’s, and the future of food security? The Organic Seed Alliance is the largest body of educators, advocates, and research-informed allies working to increase seed diversity by teaching seed saving “in a variety of forms, from basic backyard skills to farm-scale organic seed production… empowering [farmers] to adapt their crops to changing climates, environmental conditions, and market needs. In this way farmers maintain control over their seed, and are actively conserving and improving global crop diversity.” Donating to OSA supports their efforts to ensure that seed remains an open public resource that “belongs in the hands of the people, not the patent holder.”
Since 1997, Sustainable Harvest International has been working to fight poverty, deforestation, and hunger in Central America. With a distinct focus on practical training in more sustainable farming methods, the organization works to inspire and enact economic responsibility to prevent environmental degradation as a byproduct of agricultural practices, while also empowering people with the skills they need to succeed in a modern, global economy.
97% of the world’s coral reefs have been lost since 1970. The Coral Restoration Foundation is dedicated to protecting the world’s fragile and failing coral reef ecosystem, which is desperately in need of help in the era of Climate Change. From innovative techniques like coral outplanting, spawning, and the creation of “coral nurseries”, CRF balances stewardship with education and outreach to identify environmental threats that are causing sea urchin die-off, coral bleaching, and white band disease. (Pollution, shifting water temperatures, light exposure caused by ozone degradation, and chemical stressors caused by the use of chemical sunscreen and surfactants in coastal runoff are all to blame. Donate today to help put a dent in the damage.)
Once named “America’s Best Wildlife Charity” according to Reader’s Digest, Defenders of Wildlife operate primarily in courts and on Capitol Hill to promote legislation that helps “protect and restore imperiled wildlife across North America and around the world.” A donation to DOW helps the organization safeguard endangered species and the fragile ecosystems that support them. Their popular Adopt An Animal program allows civilians to “adopts” tigers, rhinos, wolves, elephants, polar bears, snowy owls, penguins, and dozens of other majestic, endangered animals for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion. (The program provides an official adoption certificate and puts 98% of funds towards programs and services that directly impact preservation. They have also been named a BBB Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity and a 3-star rating on Charity Navigator.)
The National Parks Conservation Association is dedicated to conserving our nation’s most beautiful and precious natural resources: our parks. A donation to NPCA goes towards helping the organization “safeguard the scenic beauty, wildlife, and historic and cultural treasures of the largest and most diverse park system in the world.” In Trump’s America, our support of organizations like NPCA couldn’t be more urgent. (As Newsweek and the New Republic have previously reported, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has proposed leasing land adjacent to national parks to oil and gas companies– an extremely ill-advised and environmentally risky move that could irrevocably damage our most beloved protected ecosystems.)
The Rainforest Alliance works to combat the deforestation that causes drought, extremely poverty, and contributes significantly to Global Warming and Climate Change. 123,000 acres of forest are lost daily, emitting 134M metric tons of greenhouse gases in the process. A donation to the Rainforest Alliance addresses the environmental and social challenges at the core of these problems (agriculture drives 80% of all deforestation, and yet 1.6 Billion people worldwide directly depend on rainforests for their food, shelter, medicine, ecosystem services and overall wellbeing).
Many people don’t know that GrowNYC (the organization responsible for the iconic Farmers Market at Union Square in New York City) accepts fully tax-deductible contributions (just call 212-788-7900 or make a donation online). Donations go towards ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food as well as city-wide green initiatives like composting, street beautification, textile and food scrap collection, community and school gardening, and recycling.