November 27, 2012 is the first ever #GivingTuesday. Launched to inspire charitable giving and conscious consumerism throughout the giving season, the 11 nonprofit gift programs listed below are ideal holiday gifts for family members, friends and work colleagues who are committed to social good and would rather you donate and invest in a nonprofit than spend money on another candle, sweater, or bath gift set. 🙂
That said, if you prefer to wrap and present gifts this holiday season, please see a previous post entitled 22 Online Gift Stores That Benefit Nonprofits. However you choose to spend your money on holiday gifts, there are plenty of ways do it to benefit good causes and create change in communities that need it.
1. Defenders of Wildlife Adoptions
Wild animal adoptions are the perfect gift for holidays… for a friend or yourself. Your animal adoption helps save endangered species!
2. Heifer International :: Gifts of Hope
Gifts of Hope help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant.
3. Kiva Cards
Kiva Cards let your recipient choose an entrepreneur to support. You can send your Kiva Card by email, snail mail, post it to your Facebook friend’s wall or print and deliver it yourself.
4. Mercy Corps Gifts
Your gift will be used where it’s most needed to help families turn crises of poverty, conflict or disaster into opportunity to build better lives.
5. Natural Resources Defense Council :: Green Gifts
Holiday gifts that protect the environment, NRDC Green Gifts are guaranteed to bring joy to your loved ones while protecting Mother Earth.
6. Nonviolent Peace Force :: Peace Bonds
Peace Bonds are striking works of art that will enable unarmed peacekeepers to go into conflict zones and protect vulnerable families.
7. Oceana Marine Adoptions
Your gift will help support Oceana’s work on Capitol Hill to find clean, safe energy solutions and protect our coasts from oil pollution.
8. Plan International :: Gifts of Hope
Gifts of Hope are actual items needed by the communities where they work. Your donation will be matched to a project that includes the item that you selected.
9. Save the Children :: Gifts of Joy
When you choose a Gift of Joy you’ll create lasting change for a child in a need and put a smile on someone you care about.
10. UNICEF :: Inspired Gifts
Inspired Gifts is an innovative program that gives you the opportunity to purchase actual lifesaving items that will be shipped to one of over 190 countries where UNICEF serves.
11. Women for Women International :: Gifts That Give Back
This year, give your loved ones meaningful holiday gifts that help women survivors of war rebuild their lives.
Related Link:
22 Online Gift Stores That Benefit Nonprofits
