35 Charitable Organizations to Donate to this Holiday Season

There are a lots of ways to spend your money during the holidays, but we strongly believe money is better spent on the intangible—experiences, camping trips, and ways to better our communities and environments. Not only does making donations in someone else’s name make a fantastic gift, the holidays are a great time of year to donate for tax write off purposes.

Here are 35 organizations that focus their efforts on conservation, preservation, and education. Your contribution could help save the San Francisco Bay, get kids into our National Parks, give a beehive to a community in need, and a whole lot more.

Land

Arbor Day Foundation

On a mission to plant trees and educate the public about the tree’s role within a larger ecosystem.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Preserving and maintaining the Appalachian Trail.

Earth Justice

Fighting those who seek to profit from the destruction of our planet. “Because Earth needs a good lawyer.”

Environmental Defense Fund

Partnering with organizations and individuals to address important environmental issues.

National Parks Conservation Association

Protecting our national parks and fighting for environmental policy changes.

National Park Foundation

Working within the National Parks to protect and preserve natural resources.

National Resources Defense Council

Advocating for our right to clean air and a healthy world with the help of scientists, lawyers, and other experts.

Nature Conservancy

Addressing global conservation efforts through direct service and scientific research.

Sierra Club

Grassroots organization for preservation, conservation, and education. “Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.”

Trust for Public Land

Creating parks and protecting land, especially near cities.

American Horticultural Society

Inspiring humans to engage with the plants around them. “Improving life through plants and gardening.”

Wildlands Conservancy

Preserving lands and opening them up to the public.

Water

American Rivers

Working to protect and preserve our nation’s rivers through research and advocacy efforts.

Ocean Conservancy

Developing innovative solutions to protect and preserve our oceans.

River Network

Connecting conservation workers with the resources to preserve and improve our rivers.

Save the Bay

Protecting and restoring the SF Bay by reducing pollution and preserving wetland ecosystems.

Sea Shepherd

Investigating harmful threats to ocean life and saving endangered aquatic animals.

Surfrider Foundation

Engaging experts and volunteers to advocate for the coast and protect our water resources.

Education

Children & Nature Network

Connecting children to nature through partnerships and programming.

National Outdoor Leadership School

Global wilderness school educating new outdoor leaders.

Kids and Parks Project

Providing every 4th grader the chance to engage with nature through publicly owned lands.

National Wildlife Federation

Treating the protection of animals and their habitats as a duty to our country.

National Young Farmers Coalition

The NYFC represents, mobilizes, and engages young farmers to ensure their success.

The Student Conservation Association

Creating opportunities for outdoor leadership and hands-on environmental activism. “Building the next generation of conservation leaders.”

Greenhorns

Supporting young farmers with education, resources, and networking opportunities—and one of our newest partners!

Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife

Defending America’s wildlife on the ground in the courtroom.

Ducks Unlimited

World leaders in wetland and waterfowl conservation.

Farm Sanctuary

Rescuing and rehabilitating animals taken from factory farms and stockyards.

National Audubon Society

Focusing on the conservation and observation of birds with the help of public efforts.

The Honeybee Conservancy

Responding to the bee crisis with education and action, and by providing hives to communities in need.

Wildlife Conservation Society

Using research to influence policy in an effort to save wild animals and places around the world.

World Wildlife Fund

Conserving natural habitats and fighting for endangered species.

Heifer International

Charity ending hunger and poverty.