2022 Giving Guide

Each year we highlight our favorite charities and non-profits that are doing amazing work in the community. Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, sharing your abundance is universally valued and at the heart of what we do! This holiday season considering giving to one of this amazing organization or check out some of our giving tips to ensure you’re being kind to your mind, body, planet, neighbor and wallet this holiday season.

 

Non-profits for Animal Lovers

These wonderful organizations ensure quality of life for animals in local shelters and some even train service animals.

  • Brigadoon Service Dogs | Bellingham, WA: Brigadoon trains service dogs to offer independence to children, adults and veterans with disabilities.

  • Seattle Humane Society | Bellevue, WA: Your year-end gift doubles to help more pets this holiday season. Saving Pets' Lives. A Trusted Nonprofit. Pet Adoption. Animal Rescue. Services: Virtual Dog Training, Veterinary Services, Pet Rehoming.

  • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, otherwise known as ASPCA, has been fighting against animal cruelty in North America since 1866. Founded by Henry Bergh, the ASPCA is one of the first and largest non-profit organizations established to protect animals in the world.

  • Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has dedicated itself to reducing cruelty to animals inflicted by humans through governmental action. What started off as rescuing animals from experimental laboratories has now turned to saving all living animals from any form of inhumane and violent treatment.

  • Psst! Shopping cruelty free is another great way to support animals. Don’t see the animal free logo on your favorite product? Check out their website some brands do not label their products but are indeed cruelty free.

 

Charities the Environmentalist in your life

Even if your not into hugging trees environmental issues are on everyone’s list. These wonderful organizations are rolling up their sleeves to protect water, food, restoring our lands and teaching the next generation invaluable life skills.

  • Green Tip! Considering using recycled materials or renewable gift wrapping options to reduce your environmental impact this giving season.

  • Mountains to Sound Greenway | Sammamish, WA: The mountains to sound greenway trust conserves and enhances the landscape from Seattle across the cascade mountains to central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature.

  • Seattle Tilth Association | Seattle, WA: Seattle Tilth inspires and educates people to garden organically, conserve natural resources and support local food systems in order to cultivate a healthy urban environment and community.

  • Washington Green Schools | Seattle, WA: Washington Green Schools mission is to challenge schools and communities to create a sustainable region through educational experiences that transform school environments.

  • Conservation Northwest | Seattle, WA: Conservation Northwest works to protect, connect and restore wild lands and wildlife from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies.

  • Washington National Parks Fund | Seattle, WA: To raise financial support to deepen the public's love for, understanding of and experiences in mt. Rainier, north cascades & olympic national parks. Wnpf ensures the preservation of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and continued enjoyment for all.

 

Housing and Human Services

Each year these wonderful organizations chip away at the challenges most dire in our community - challenges in the home. Addressing housing and food insecurity as well as supporting domestic violence survivors.

  • Girls Giving Back | Girls Giving Back volunteers transform shelters, playgrounds and community spaces in King & Snohomish counties.

  • Washington Autism Alliance | We expand access to healthcare, education and services for people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington State.

  • The Sophia Way | The Sophia Way is dedicated ending homelessness for women in King County. We provide shelter, social services, and permanent housing with support.

  • Way Back Inn | We provide transitional housing to families in need of housing, while helping them rebuild their lives, dignity, & self-confidence.

  • Attain Housing | Attain Housing brings the Kirkland, WA community together by partnering with homeless families and providing affordable housing for those in need.

  • Dawn Rising | Helping Survivors. DAWN protects women and children from domestic abuse, providing shelter, support and empowerment so they can build secure and happy lives.

  • Solid Ground | Solid Ground is an anti-poverty and social service organization in Seattle, Washington. Originating in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood and now based in the adjacent Wallingford neighborhood, the organization now serves clients throughout Seattle, King County and statewide.

  • Friends of Youth | Friends of Youth envisions all youth having every opportunity to succeed. We partner with youth and families to provide the relationships, resources and more.

  • FareStart | Seattle, WA: FareStart provides a community that transforms lives by empowering homeless and disadvantaged men, women, and families to achieve self-sufficiency through life skills, job training, and employment in the food service industry.

 

Youth focused organizations

Supporting the leaders of tomorrow is no easy task. These phenomenal organizations provide the much needed wrap around supports to ensure each child in our community has what they need year round.

  • Ask a young person in their life what their passions are! Engaging young people in your philanthropy is a great way to strengthen your relationship with them and inspire their giving back habits.

  • Treehouse | Treehouse provides youth in foster care in Washington with academic & other essential support they need to graduate from high school & pursue their dreams.

  • 4 Tomorrow | 4 Tomorrow is a Latino and Youth focused organization based in Bellevue that serves East King County.

  • Eastside Youth Coalition | Making a difference in the lives of youth all throughout the Eastside by providing them with all the tools, resources and support they need in order to shape them into the leaders of tomorrow. Offering youth of the community a chance to reach their fullest potential.

  • YMCA of Greater Seattle | At The Y, You’ll Find Opportunities To Connect With New People & Explore New Interests. Explore All Of The Ways That You Can Keep Your Family Happy, Healthy & Active.

  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters | Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to "create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth".

  • Boys & Girls Club | Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a national organization of local chapters which provide voluntary after-school programs for young people.

 

Advocacy and social justice

These organizations are having the tough conversations and tackle systems that leave so many communities in the dark. Consider adding them to your list of giving this holiday season.

  • In-sight Collaborative: | Bainbridge Island, WA: Promoting accompaniment along the migratory pathway.

  • Lifewire | We're here to make life with technology better! We test and recommend products, teach you how to use them, and help you fix them when they break.

  • Alliance for International Women’s Rights | Edmonds, WA: AIWR's mission is to support women leaders and future women leaders in developing countries, with a current focus on Afghanistan.

  • Lavender Rights Project | Lavender Rights Project elevates the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services.

 

Favorite Ways to Give Back

Looking for a few more ideas? Check out these tried and true ways to spread cheer this year.

  • Donate food

  • Donate new or gently used coats

  • Volunteer at animal shelter

  • Volunteer at soup kitchen

  • Bring thank you cards to first responders

  • Bring greeting cards to senior living centers

  • Highlight your favorite charity on social media

  • Use recycled materials for gift giving; newspaper, reuse bags or scarves for wrapping

  • Gift charities donations to your loved ones instead of stuff

Kalika Curry