Taking opportunities to positively impact the lives of those in need is important no matter the time of year, but during the holidays, the spirit of giving becomes even more profound.

Donating your time or money to charities embodies the true essence of the season—compassion, generosity, and togetherness. Here are just a few examples of worthy charities to consider.

Impact100 Global

Recognizing barriers limiting women’s impact in philanthropy, Wendy Steele, founder and CEO of Impact100, created a platform uniting them to collectively fund solutions to vital global issues. The organization has established over sixty chapters globally since 2001, and it has granted over $140 million to other nonprofits in five key areas: arts and culture, education, family, health and wellness, and environment, preservation, and recreation. One such recipient is a parent-empowering charity, RaiseUp Families, which was selected in 2023 to receive a $100,000 grant from Impact100’s Houston chapter.

To learn more, visit impact100global.org

Friends of the Children

With its revolutionary approach, Friends of the Children provides long-term mentoring programs specifically for children ages four to six who have already faced adversity. The nonprofit is distinguished by its commitment to establishing enduring, nurturing relationships with adult figures that last until the child graduates from high school.

For more info, visit friendsofthechildren.org

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

Founded in 1996, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) rescues dogs who have been abused or abandoned and trains them to help firefighters and other first responders find buried people in disasters. In addition, once they’re taken in by the SDF program, these canines are taken care of for life, regardless of whether they complete the program. Currently, there are ninety-five SDF disaster search teams across the country.

To find out more, visit searchdogfoundation.org

Justice in Aging

Nearly half (45 percent) of Americans aged sixty-five and older struggle to meet their basic needs, such as health care, food, and housing. For more than fifty years, Justice in Aging has been a beacon of hope for these individuals, transforming the lives of countless seniors. Through strategic litigation, policy advocacy, and legal education, it empowers low-income adults—particularly those in marginalized groups—to overcome systemic barriers to help ensure economic stability and the ability to age with dignity.

To learn more, visit justiceinaging.org

Whether you donate to a charity that supports a cause you care about or volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal-rescue organization, every act of giving can make a difference this season, no matter how small.

To find a charity that resonates with you, visit volunteermatch.org