KL Gift Guide 2020: Charitable Giving

2020 has been a year. It ushered in tumultuous change with loss and sacrifices no one could have anticipated. We’ve all had to reprioritize our spending and thoughtfully reexamine how we do life now and how we should moving forward. But in light of everything that is happening at your specific address, there is a world hurting right outside our doors that needs our help. So maybe instead of giving a tangible gift this year, you and your family could support a child internationally, donate money to a relief fund, or provide money for food to an impoverished community. It may not be the most glamorous gift you give this year, but it could make a world of an impact.

The charities I chose were strategically picked either because I myself have supported them or people I love and respect have been impacted by them. They are organized into 4 main categories: Basic Needs, Education, Children, and Rights.

Prayerfully consider donating to any one of these worthy causes this year. Don’t give because I’m telling you too, do it because your heart compels you. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 it says,

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

As always, these are all worthy causes that I support, however you may have an organization or foundation that you give to annually because of a personal impact it has had on you or your family. Unfortunately I can’t fit every notable charity in this blog post, but know that I support you in your efforts of giving cheerfully.

Basic Needs

Doctors Without Borders: an independent, global movement providing medical aid where it’s needed most. Owned, shared, and run by its members, it provides impartial medical care globally during emergency situations and in areas of great physical need.

The Hunger Project: a global, non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. Their mission: to end hunger and poverty by pioneering sustainable, grassroots, women-centered strategies and advocating for their widespread adoption in countries throughout the world.

Samaritan’s Purse: a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Works to meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

United Way: works domestically and internationally to advance the common good and create opportunities for all. Their main focus is on education, income and health. They work on the ground to provide access to substance abuse programs, quality health care, nutritious foods, educational tools, and job market opportunities.

Water Mission: a nonprofit Christian engineering ministry providing sustainable safe water solutions, through a Christian world view perspective, to people in developing countries and disasters. Their belief in the sanctity of life compels them to develop and implement the best technologies and community development programs so that God will be honored and glorified.

World Vision International: taking a holistic approach to ensure all children are cared for, protected, educated, and feel the love of God and neighbors. With a global emphasis on child protection, disaster management, economic development, education, health & nutrition, clean water, & faith development.

Education

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: international book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.

Girls Write Now: New York’s first and only writing and mentoring organization for girls. Mentors underserved young women to find their voices through the power of writing and community.

Children

Compassion: advocates for children, committed to Jesus Christ in all they do. Christ-centered, church-based and child-focused. The world’s leading authority in holistic child development through sponsorship.

Hearts of Gold: helps homeless mothers and children to create positive, sustainable change in their lives under three umbrella objectives: Stabilize, Support, and Sustain. They engage with the moms and kids by giving them the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to transition out of the shelter system and become fully independent and productive members of society.

Lifeline Children’s Services: assists families through international adoption in all 50 states, each of the U.S. territories and with U.S. citizens living abroad. Their mission: to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children.

Love Without Boundaries: an international charity that provides hope and healing to orphaned and vulnerable children, and their underserved communities, through its education, foster care, healing homes, medical care, and nutrition programs. 

Smile Train: an international children’s charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. Many children with untreated clefts around the world live in isolation with difficulty eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. Cleft treatment is safe, and the impact on the child is immediate.

Rights

Campaign Legal Center: working to advance democracy through law and fight for every American’s right to participate in the democratic process. CLC uses tactics such as litigation, policy advocacy, communications and partnerships to win victories that result in a more transparent, accountable and inclusive democracy. Their long-term goal is a government responsive to the people.

What charitable organizations do you support?