My Holiday Wish List (for the 🌏)

For this year’s gift guide, I’m focused on giving to others.

Photo by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash

These last few months have been…a lot. There is so much conflict in the world right now, so many injustices that need championing, so many people who just need help. I feel it on a micro level in my own life, and on a macro level as I follow news headlines. And as we barrel headfirst toward the holidays I can’t help but think that the gifts I want to give this year are the kind that help support the needs of others.

One great thing about charitable giving, whether it’s in the form of time, resources, or financial support, is that you can do it any time, for any reason. In times of crisis in your community or beyond? Donate to make a difference. In times of personal abundance? Donate to share your good fortune. At a time when we can’t figure out what to buy our partner/mother-in-law/coworker for the holiday grab bag? Donate in their name.

Pick a cause that has special meaning to you, or one that resonates with someone you love. Or better yet, consider organizing a "giving circle," where like-minded individuals come together to not only strengthen bonds but also support diverse solutions that deserve funding.

There are so many to choose from, but here are some worthy causes and organizations that are on my Give List this year. Imagine if so many of us donate our time, attention, and resources to these causes that we check at least one of these “wishes” off the list completely? What a gift!

⚕️ Fully equal access to health: Every person deserves to live a healthy life, full stop. But marginalized people—including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and people experiencing homelessness—are less likely to get the care they need and have worse health outcomes than others. Through its Fund for Health Equity, Direct Relief supports community health centers, clinics, educational institutions, and other on-the-ground organizations that are working to address the racism and socioeconomic disparities that contribute to health inequity. 

🏫 Abundant education for every kid: I’ve never come across a school district that has all the funding it needs—and the situation is often worse in low-income or marginalized districts. With Donors Choose you can support a classroom near you (or in any location) by choosing specific projects to fund—like STEM materials for a PreK-2 school where nearly all students are from low-income households, or floor cushions for reading circles and independent work at another elementary school. You can follow the project for updates, and see where every dollar you donate goes.

🚨 Urgent, immediate disaster relief: Wherever you’ve seen crisis in the headlines—flood, earthquake, armed conflict, community crisis—Global Empowerment Mission is on the case, swiftly and efficiently delivering aid to those who need it in the US and around the world. Your dollars go directly to people when they need it most, with very little administrative overhead: Just three cents for every dollar donated.

🎗️ Longer, better life for metastatic breast cancer patients: Metavivor was founded as a support group for people living with stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer, and it became the first organization dedicated to funding research specifically on stage 4 breast cancer. Donations to Metavivor go to research grants that fund cutting-edge research on this disease, with the goal of taking it from a terminal diagnosis to a chronic, manageable disease.

🌍 A sustainable planet for now and future: It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by signs of climate crisis—and to wonder if recycling your yogurt container is really helping at all. The folks at One Green Thing know that feeling, but what I love is that they also know how to change that feeling of anxiety to one of joy and empowerment, by showing each of us how to contribute to real, meaningful change in exactly the way that suits us best. Each of our tiny steps toward sustainability add up to cultural momentum, policy change, and a healthier planet for all.

🏳️‍🌈 A more successful future for LGBTQ+ people: If you’ve ever wondered why there are so few LGBTQ+ people in leadership positions across industries, consider this: nearly one-third of LGBTQ+ students drop out of high school because of violence, harassment, and isolation. Point Foundation offers scholarships, mentoring, and leadership development to students, to empower them to go after their dreams and make an impact on society. 

🍲 Full bellies for everyone: The Hunger Project aims to eradicate hunger in every community worldwide by giving people—primarily women, who are often responsible for meeting the basic needs of their families—the resources, tools, and education they need to overcome poverty for good. Your donation powers self-reliance and a future where no one is ever hungry.  

🐅 Space for all of Earth’s creatures to thrive: When we talk about sustainable living, it’s hard to ignore the creatures great and small, adorable and intimidating, that make up the incredibly diverse life on Earth. Sierra Club is dedicated to keeping the planet livable for wildlife and humankind, preserving ecosystems and protecting water sources to conserve the resources we have and make sure there’s enough to go around for generations to come.

🐕 An end to animal cruelty: Whatever sparks your demand for justice—unneutered cats and dogs, trophy hunting, the extinction of America’s wild horses—Friends of Animals has a campaign aimed at righting the wrongs against innocent animals in the US and around the world.

💚 A world without suicide: The increased spotlight on mental health—and decreasing stigma associated with it—is a giant step in the right direction, but suicide is still a very real threat to people we know and love. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention takes a multi-prong approach to the issue, offering resources for people struggling with suicidal thoughts, for friends and loved ones who want to help, and for anyone who wants to fund screening programs, research, support groups, and more.

🎁 Bringing holiday magic to children in need: Not every child gets the experience of receiving holiday gifts. So, Pandemic of Love is sharing Amazon wish lists for children who otherwise would not have a holiday without the generosity of donations! Pandemic of Love is a mutual aid organization that is 100% volunteer-run with no overhead, fees, or formal infrastructure. In other words, it’s humanity at its best! To sponsor a wish list, send an email to pandemicoflove@gmail.com.