In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, America’s Charities is celebrating the following members who are making a difference in the fight to end breast cancer.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

Breast Cancer Coalition – Since its inception in 1991, The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) has had a mission to end breast cancer through the power of grassroots action and advocacy. NBCC links hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals into a dynamic, diverse coalition that gives breast cancer a meaningful voice in Washington, DC, and state capitals, in laboratories and health care institutions, and in local communities everywhere. NBCC’s member organizations range from small support groups to statewide and regional nonprofits to organizations with a national reach. They come together under NBCC’s umbrella for public policy, education and training, and new models of science.

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1. To create a national, state and local focus on the arts and humanities through the media,
2. To encourage the participation of individuals, as well as arts, humanities and other organizations nationwide,
3. To provide an opportunity for federal, state and local business, government and civic leaders to declare their support for the arts and humanities,
4. To establish a highly visible vehicle for raising public awareness about the arts and humanities.

In recognition of National Arts & Humanities Month, America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members. These nonprofits’ programs inspire, educate, entertain, and enlighten youth, veterans, and individuals of all ages in local communities throughout the country.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Founded in 1974 in Washington, D.C., the Duke Ellington School of the Arts’ mission is to nurture and inspire passion for arts and learning in talented students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to develop their artistic skills. They ensure that students are prepared for post-secondary education and/or careers in the arts by offering an intensive arts-based program. They prepare students to become productive citizens in our global society through a strong focus on academics and community service. Learn more.        

Signature Theatre, Inc.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature produces contemporary musicals and plays, reinvents classic musicals, develops new work and provides meaningful education and outreach programs for the community. The Theatre is the premiere venue for musical theater in the Washington region and is known for producing large-scale musicals in its intimate spaces and for its premieres of new work, especially new musicals. Learn more.

WETA (Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association)

WETA Television/Classical WETA FM public broadcasting serves Greater Washington. Productions include PBS NewsHour, Washington Week and documentaries by Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  WETA’s mission is to produce and distribute content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit using a broad range of media to reach audiences both in our community and nationwide. WETA leverages its collective resources to extend our impact. WETA will be true to its values; and respects diversity of views, culture, and heritage. Learn more.

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In recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members. These nonprofits focus on public policy, awareness, health promotion, resources, employment, community outreach and support for people with Down Syndrome.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities. A donation of $100 to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) helps them continue to advocate for the rights of those with Down syndrome and provide adult caregiver services and resources to the individuals currently caring for an adult with Down syndrome. Learn more.

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• They believe their partner really is sorry and does care about them
• Their low self esteem leads them to believe that no one else would want to be with them
• It’s dangerous to leave, so they are too afraid to take action
• They feel responsible for the way their loved one acts
• Between shared kids, pets, and finances, they feel they can’t leave

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October each year) is a time to remember and honor loved ones who have lost their lives at the hands of a person they once loved and trusted. And it’s a time to raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence and recognize our collective efforts to end violence.

In recognition of #DomesticViolenceAwareness Month, America’s Charities is recognizing the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members. These nonprofits are dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence, preventing gun violence, and providing victims with a safe place they can go to escape abuse and gain independence for a fresh start at a healthy, safe, and happy life.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

House of Ruth

Founded in 1976 as America’s first women’s shelter, House of Ruth’s mission is to help women, children and families in greatest need and with very limited resources build safe, stable lives and achieve their highest potential. At eleven residential locations, a developmental day care facility, and a free domestic violence counseling center, they serve more than 1,000 women and children every year. Learn more.

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)

PCADV, a collaborative membership organization, joins with 59 local programs to deliver a continuum of services, support and systems change to help nearly 90,000 victims and survivors annually find safety, obtain justice and build lives free of abuse. While local domestic violence programs offer direct service to those in need, PCADV provides the infrastructure, support, expertise, and training to make their work effective. Learn more.

WOMEN’S WAY

WOMEN’S WAY inspires and mobilizes the community to invest in organizations and leaders that will advance the rights of, and opportunities for, women and girls, and achieve gender equity for all. A community foundation focused on grant-making, research, and education benefiting women and girls in the Greater Philadelphia region, WOMEN’S WAY identifies needs, shares knowledge, convenes the community, and builds awareness to challenge social inequities. Learn more.

Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence

For more than 40 years, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence has been the leading national voice in the prevention of gun violence, effecting meaningful change through policy, legal action, and increased public awareness of the risks and dangers of having guns in the home. The mission of the Brady Center is to reduce gun violence by 25% by 2025 through a tripartite strategy that incorporates litigation, legislation, and education. Their strategy focuses on the common ground shared by most Americans: we need to keep guns out of the hands of those who would use them to harm themselves or others. Learn more.

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In recognition of #ChildHealthDay on October 6, 2025, America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members. Supporting children facing life-threatening diseases, providing preventative healthcare to underserved youth, ensuring children have access to nutritious food, and more, these nonprofits are dedicated to providing a range of programs that address children’s health.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

Grant Wishes and Fun Experiences to Children with Critical Illnesses:

• Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic 
• The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Give Children Medical Care, Access to Specialized Medical Services and Resources, and Fund Research for New Treatments and Cures:

• Caring for Children Foundation of Texas, Inc.
• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
• National Down Syndrome Society
• The Marfan Foundation
• Montgomery Hospice
• CureSearch

Provide Hospital and Housing Services for Families While Their Children Seek Medical Treatment:

• The Children’s Inn at NIH 
• Ronald McDonald House Charities®

Ensure Children Receive Nutritious Meals and Warm Coats:

• Feeding America
• Feed the Children
• No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength)

Foster the Spiritual, Mental and Physical Development of Children and Their Families:

• YMCA of Metropolitan Washington 
• Youth For Tomorrow – New Life Center, Inc. 

Support Advocacy and Research Efforts Designed to Keep Kids Safe and Healthy:

• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• First Candle, Inc.

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As the plight of animals came into focus, with thousands of them trapped in homes and stranded in New Orleans and other communities, we moved as quickly as we could to meet the demands of the crisis. One of the things I remember most about Katrina is that it was all hands on deck across our entire organization. It didn’t matter if you were a wildlife scientist, a lobbyist, a graphic designer, an IT specialist, a state director or an accountant. For weeks and in some instance months, you were a responder.  

Virtually overnight, as the extent of the disaster became evident, we turned ourselves into a full-scale, round-the-clock animal rescue operation. We sent dozens of staff members—wave after wave—into the field in Louisiana and Mississippi, and reassigned dozens of others at our headquarters to related response work. 

My daughter was a toddler then, so I wasn’t able to deploy. Instead, I worked long hours at a center where we took calls from people desperate to tell us about the animals they were forced to leave behind, to let us know where their pets could be found and to plead for our help. Those calls were heartrending. 

Two decades have not dimmed my memory of an older man who reached out to us. He had left his dog in the house with food and a bathtub full of water. Like others who were ordered to evacuate New Orleans, he thought he would be permitted to return to save her. But he wasn’t because government officials subsequently restricted access to the area in which his home was located. He was broken, sad, full of guilt and, like countless others subject to a mandatory evacuation order, helpless.  

I’ll never forget the elation I felt after hearing that our responders on the ground, who were authorized to carry out rescues in restricted areas, went in and got his dog, and eventually the two were reunited.  

We will never know how many animals perished. But we know that because of our efforts, the efforts of an army of skilled and devoted people from local animal shelters, animal rescue groups and other organizations and our donors’ support, we were able to bring thousands of animals to safety at an events center in Gonzales, Louisiana, and other locations in the region. Many were reunited with their families, and many others went out to shelters across the country for placement in new homes. Ultimately, it became one of the largest animal rescue deployments in history. 

All too often, it takes a disaster of great magnitude to spur needed change. Long before Katrina, for years and years, we had been making the case for the inclusion of animals in preparedness planning, with only limited success. After Katrina, we had no trouble making the point. There were a lot more people, and a lot more decision-makers, ready to listen and ready to act. The storm and its aftermath had shown dramatically how the fates of people and the animals they love are intertwined. 

Twenty years later, this single disaster remains emblematic of government failure, environmental injustice and a fateful lack of appreciation for the centrality of animals in our lives. The forced abandonment of thousands of them in New Orleans and the inability of most disaster response entities to grasp the importance of animal-related preparedness strategies compounded the tragedy.  

Still, Katrina was a true catalyst of change. Within two years, we had helped to secure passage of legislation in the U.S. Congress, the PETS (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards) Act, which incentivized the inclusion of animals in disaster preparedness planning by linking it to disaster funding. On several occasions, the bill’s primary sponsor, the late Rep. Tom Lantos, stated that the image of a child being separated from his dog outside of the Superdome in New Orleans was the driving factor: “The dog was taken away from this little boy, and to watch his face was a singularly revealing and tragic experience. This legislation was born at that moment.”  

The PETS Act carries with it an implicit recognition that pets are not just part of our families but a part of society and deserving of civil protection in their own right. However, the PETS Act was not the end of anything. It was the beginning of something. Namely, it kickstarted the drive to embed awareness of animals and concern for their welfare into all facets of disaster planning, at all levels, in both the private and public sector, worldwide. Helping communities to prepare for animals’ needs in disaster is a signature element of our global outreach work today. 

The outpouring of generosity from supporters enabled us to help to rebuild the animal protection infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region, providing millions of dollars for construction of new animal shelters and the establishment of shelter medicine programs at two veterinary schools, among other commitments. 

Over the decades, we have built one of the strongest disaster response teams in the world, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to help animals and the people trying to care for and protect them in moments of crisis. We’re witnessing the adoption of more enlightened disaster response and preparedness policies, not just in the United States but worldwide. Today, the whole world knows that animal rescue is a crucial component of effective response, not a sideshow distraction in a disaster scenario.  

Without question, Katrina exposed some weaknesses in our field which we’re still trying to address. In its aftermath, we carried out a series of spay and neuter initiatives with local partners, using advanced research concerning public attitudes that helped us to sharpen our approach to increasing access to veterinary care and other pet services in underserved communities. This was the seedbed of today’s access-to-care movement, including our Pets for Life program and our More Than a Pet campaign. 

So many years later, the images we associate with Katrina still produce an inevitable sadness. Failing levees and floodwalls. Whole neighborhoods submerged. Markings spray-painted on homes to indicate the presence of animals in need of rescue, and the presence of victims, human and animal. Panicked animals stranded on the streets of so many communities, in the sweltering heat of a Gulf Coast summer. All the tears and heartbreak.  

But we did not stand by as the crisis unfolded and neither did our supporters and donors, Together, we stood up for animals, just as we stood up for the people who loved them and were trying to help them. And today, we’re standing by them still, in community after community, in country after country, changing the conversation about animals in distress, changing the approaches taken to their plight and changing the outcomes for more animals and people than we could ever count. 

This is the true legacy of Katrina, the one we guard so carefully and the one we keep close to heart. 

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In recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

Alzheimer’s Disease Research (a program of BrightFocus Foundation): 

Alzheimer’s Disease Research is a leader in funding innovative science that is the key to unlocking the mysteries of this disease. Many scientists get their first grant from Alzheimer’s Disease Research, which validates their work and opens the door for more grants from other sources. Click here to learn more. 

Insight Memory Care Center (IMCC)

Serving Northern Virginia since 1984, Insight Memory Care Center is a nonprofit adult day health and resource center providing specialized care, support, and education for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments, their families, caregivers, and the community.  IMCC offers a spectrum of holistic care, with a vision of a community where those affected by memory impairments can achieve the highest quality of life. Click here to learn more about their work.

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If we work together, we have the power to set things right. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment and food insecurity soared. In 2021, 53 million people turned to food banks and community programs for help putting food on the table. The increase of inflation, along with rising food and gas prices this past year have only exacerbated this problem, putting a pinch on families all across the country.  

This September, we can all do our part to end hunger – one helping at a time. With every action, we get one step closer to making hunger in America a thing of the past. It all starts with you!

How to get involved with Hunger Action Month

Volunteer: Feeding America’s network runs on volunteers! Sign up to volunteer at one of our 200 member food banks across the country. Click here to find a food bank near you and volunteer. 

Get Social: Post about what you’re doing to help end hunger this month. Don’t forget to tag Feeding America and use #HungerActionMonth on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Advocate: Help Feeding America protect hunger relief programs for millions of Americans by joining the Campaign to End Hunger. Click here to sign the pledge.

Donate: Every dollar you give helps provide at least 10 meals to families in need through the Feeding America network of food banks. One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support Feeding America is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program or through the Combined Federal Campaign if you are a federal employee (pledge CFC#11627). Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team. You can also give now through Feeding America’s site. 

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In recognition of #ChildhoodCancerAwareness Month America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members. These nonprofits are dedicated to funding research to find treatments and cures for children’s cancer, as well as providing programs that provide hope, joy, housing, and other types of support and resources for families with children facing cancer.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name below to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

CureSearch: There is an urgent unmet need for new and better children’s cancer treatments. With your support, CureSearch funds the most promising and impactful research. They do this through comprehensive project screening and monitoring progress to ensure patient centered results. Click here to learn more about CureSearch and hear why research matters for CureSearch advocates and patient families.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®): RMHC creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through its global network of Chapters in more than 64 countries and regions, RMHC programs (the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®) provide access to quality health care and enable family-centered care around the world, ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care. Click here to learn more.

The Children’s Inn at NIH: The Children’s Inn at NIH is a “place like home” for children, and their families, participating in ground-breaking medical trials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each year, more than 1,700 children call The Inn “home” as they battle life-threatening illnesses in NIH trials that change the face of medicine for the entire world. The Children’s Inn brings together courageous children who participate in NIH trials; their loving families and caregivers who provide unwavering support; and the world-renowned NIH clinicians and staff who make ground-breaking medical discoveries. These are the individuals driving discoveries that will be the first steps to eradicating diseases and making better lives possible. The Children’s Inn is where we bring people together to make childhood possible today and a cure possible tomorrow. Click here to learn more.

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America: Wishes can change the odds for children fighting their illness. A wish helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life. Make-A-Wish wants to help every single family enduring this struggle to discover hope, strength and joy. Click here to learn more. 

Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic: Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions who reside in Maryland, Washington, DC, northern Virginia and central and southern Delaware.  Since the chapter’s foundation in 1983, they have given the gift of a wish to over 8,700 local children fighting life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer. Click here to learn more.

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More than ever before, our environment needs our protection. In recognition of Environmental Awareness Month, America’s Charities is celebrating the following agents of change who we are proud to call our members.

One of the most cost-efficient ways you can support these nonprofits is to donate to them via payroll deduction through your employer’s workplace giving program (Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team.) Click on each charity’s name above to learn more about their work, and to make a donation now!

A Wider Circle

A Wider Circle’s mission is to end poverty through on-the-ground programs and services, as well as through the development of large-scale solutions to its root causes. As part of their holistic approach, they save 12 million pounds of furniture from going into the landfill every single year. Learn more. 

Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area

The time spent by youth at Scout Camp is not only about building campfires and spending time in nature. Scouts may not realize it at the time, but all of the challenges, triumphs, teamwork, and fun they experienced at camp will help them on their way to becoming strong, confident leaders tomorrow. Guided by caring and committed mentors, boys gain self-confidence; develop leadership skills; learned about self-sacrifice and teamwork; embraced values like honesty and courage; showed respect for the outdoors; and simply have the time of their lives. That’s the adventure that Boy Scouts provides. Young people having fun, being happy, in an environment that fosters positive growth. Learn more.

The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund strives to protect our nation’s land, water, and wildlife by finding positive, lasting solutions to conserve these precious resources and species, and to achieve environmental and economic outcomes. Learn more.

Feeding America

Food waste is a pressing issue in our country, both at a commercial and consumer level. Not only does excessive food waste hit us hard in our bank accounts, but it also has a huge impact on the environment that we all share. Over 20% of landfill volume is comprised of food waste and 21% of all freshwater used goes toward the production of food that ends up being discarded. Learn the steps you can take to keep your food fresh and fight food waste. And click here to see how Feeding America and its network of partners are working together to fight food waste with food rescue. 

Rails-to-Trails

Since 1986, Rails-to-Trails has worked from coast to coast, supporting the development of thousands of miles of rail-trails for millions to explore and enjoy, and to build healthier places for healthier people. Learn more.

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Throughout this month, we recognize that mental health issues within minority communities are often stigmatized or overlooked. Many individuals in these communities face barriers to accessing mental healthcare and may experience disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and support. By promoting education and awareness about minority mental health, we can work towards breaking down these barriers and fostering inclusive and culturally competent mental healthcare.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month offers a range of events and activities that aim to emphasize the significance of mental health within minority communities. These activities may include community forums, workshops, virtual events, and resource fairs that provide information and support for individuals seeking help or wanting to learn more about mental health.

In addition to raising awareness, it’s crucial to prioritize mental health within minority communities. Research indicates that minority populations often face higher rates of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s essential to encourage open conversations, reduce stigma, and promote access to culturally sensitive mental healthcare services.

During this month, let’s come together to support the mental well-being of minority individuals. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, remember that help is available. Reach out to mental health professionals, community organizations, or helplines that offer culturally appropriate resources and support.

As an employer, it’s vital to remind all employees, including those from minority backgrounds, about the resources and support available to help them prioritize their mental health. Here are a couple of examples of programs you can promote or consider implementing:

• Launch an Employees Assistance Fund : Launch or remind employees about an Employee Assistance Fund (EAF) that provides financial support to employees facing personal emergencies or hardships. This fund can help alleviate financial stress and provide access to resources for mental health support.

• Volunteer Opportunities: Encourage your employees to engage in volunteer activities, as research shows that volunteering can have positive impacts on both physical and mental well-being. Offer opportunities for employees to support causes they care about, fostering a sense of purpose and community engagement.

By actively promoting mental health awareness and providing resources and support, we can contribute to the well-being and success of all employees, regardless of their background. Together, let’s create a workplace culture that values and prioritizes minority mental health.

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Marfan syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 5,000 people regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, and experts estimate that nearly half the people who have Marfan syndrome do not know it.  Without proper diagnosis and treatment, they are at high risk for an aortic dissection and sudden death. 

Awareness of Marfan syndrome and related conditions leads to early diagnosis, treatment, and an extended lifespan. The most powerful way we can raise awareness is through you, our volunteers. Your circles of relatives, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, your knowledge, your personal journey, and your commitment cannot be matched by anyone outside of our community.

February is Marfan Awareness Month and you can do your part from the comfort of your own home on social media. Join America’s Charities and our member, The Marfan Foundation, by participating in the #MarfanAwareness during February. 

1. Give through your workplace: You can make a significant difference by donating through workplace giving. Check with your employer to see if they will double your donation with a matching gift. Don’t have a program? Click here to have your employer contact our team about bring employee giving to your workplace. 
2. Raise aweareness: Help The Marfan Foundation raise awareness about Marfan syndrome by using the library of ready-to-use social media graphics here.
3. Educate Yourself: This month, The Marfan Foundation has two webinars on the basics of Marfan syndrome. On February 9, we will focus on medical management with two members of our Professional Advisory Board, Dr. Shaine Morris, pediatric cardiologist, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Chris Malaisrie, aortic surgeon, Northwestern Medicine (register here). Then, on February 16, we will have a Personal Perspectives Panel with members of the Marfan community talking about how they coped when first diagnosed. (register here).

There are many ways for you to take part in Marfan Awareness Month and every little bit helps. Click here for a list of more ways to support The Marfan Foundation.

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