More local charities that could use your support
Some ideas for Giving Tuesday
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Today is Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, in which people are encouraged to give back to their communities and support causes they care about.
In that spirit, The Charlotte Ledger is publishing the second part of our annual Charity Shout-Out today.
Last month, we invited our community of paying members to write about the local charities they most admire. Readers this year wrote in about 57 charities, and we divided them into categories so you can more easily find causes that interest you.
Today, we’re sharing the recommended charities addressing human services, human rights and social advocacy. (Yesterday, we covered arts, community development, education, environmental conservation and healthcare. You can find the full list here.)
Below, you’ll find links to the charity websites and brief descriptions from our members. Of course, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re comfortable with how charities use your donations by looking them up on websites like GuideStar, ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer or Charity Navigator.
You might also check out Share Charlotte, a clearinghouse that helps organize support of 700+ Charlotte-area charities, including volunteer opportunities.
And feel free to share this post with friends who may be on the hunt for a charity to help this holiday season — or to let your favorite charity know that it’s on the list.
HUMAN SERVICES
“Founded by a Davidson College grad and based in Davidson, Access2Success seeks to break the cycle of poverty in Nigeria through programs of education, career development and community empowerment, including by operating an after-school academy for more than 250 students, awarding scholarships and supporting entrepreneurs.” —Robert Hesselbacher
Assistance League of Charlotte
“I am a member-volunteer at Assistance League of Charlotte, which I also support financially. We feed, we clothe, we mentor, and we educate through our philanthropic programs. We provide school uniforms for CMS students, operate food pantries, run Mecklenburg County Teen Court and have a college scholarship program.” —Kathleen Reardon
“Baby Bundles is entering their 15th year serving the Charlotte community, and will deliver over 3,000 bundles or baby showers in a bag to moms and babies who desperately need the essentials in the bundle. This bundle provides HOPE to thousands of families!” —Emily Harry
“Founder/Director Ira Lawrence and Bunk 57 are helping to restore lives and create a safer community. They mentor teens to develop their character, nurture resilience and build life skills. They also help support a positive re-entry to society for people who were formerly incarcerated.” —Grace McLain
“Charlotte Clubhouse offers non-clinical work-ordered day programming for adults living with mental illness, following the Clubhouse International model. We provide a safe space where members can grow job skills, find meaningful work/education opportunities, connect to resources, engage in socialization and more to increase quality of life and return to independent living!” —Larry A. Clark
“The Charlotte Moms Foundation brings HOPE and JOY to families during the holidays by meeting REAL NEEDS in our community! With a 100% volunteer team, every single dollar goes directly to helping local moms and kids feel seen, valued and fully supported. —Jess Kawski
“I’ve supported Dress for Success Charlotte for over 10 years and have the honor of chairing the board this year. Since 2000, DFSC has empowered 12,000+ women with resources like professional attire and workforce development programs, helping them achieve economic independence through job readiness, acquisition, retention and career advancement.” —Jessica Graham
“Emerald School of Excellence is a recovery high school which provides amazing support for the educational, social and mental health needs of their students. It’s a safe and loving place designed to allow their students the environment they need to thrive. I’m excited to support them because of the innovative and creative ways they are changing lives.” —Michele Juliana
“When our neighbors go hungry, it’s not because there isn’t enough food, it’s because the food is not distributed to people who need it. Feeding Charlotte tackles this issue by rescuing freshly prepared food and getting it to people who need it while also reducing waste.” —Raj Merchant
“Friendship Circle’s mission is to help children and young adults with special needs find companionship and happiness through a variety of programs. Their programs help participants build friendships and feel included. They focus on abilities and celebrate individuality.” —Michael Solender
“Furnish for Good serves neighbors in need by repurposing donated furniture and household items. Their goal is to transform lives by providing hope, dignity and a new sense of possibility. From couches, dining tables and even a can opener - they provide a dignified experience of choice through a process of empowerment. Furnish for Good partners with over 35 agencies within Mecklenburg County serving people from various circumstances including homelessness, addiction, mental illness and domestic violence.” —Mary Beth Hollett
“GiGi’s Playhouse Charlotte provides free therapeutic, educational and social programs for people with Down syndrome of all ages. It’s a place my teenage son with Down syndrome can call his OWN, meet with friends and feel belonging. GiGi’s Charlotte helps people with intellectual disabilities be their very best.” —Victoria Vila
“Good Friends Charlotte, a women-led nonprofit — founded in 1987 by friends who wanted to give back — is a philanthropic powerhouse, raising more than $6.2 million and serving more than 3,000 families annually, working in concert with 40 community partners. The 38th annual Gather & Give Luncheon is Dec. 12.” —Rachel Sutherland
Hearts United for Good Charlotte
“HUG Charlotte is a hands on, dedicated, needs-based organization. They get in the trenches and truly talk to and listen to the people in need to find out what services or goods would help them the most, and then they just get it done! Every time!” —Linda Buckel
“InReach is celebrating 50 remarkable years of supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including my daughter, to reach their own goals for a satisfying, productive life! Serving over 1,100 individuals and their families yearly, InReach engages individuals in community activities, lifelong learning, volunteer and job opportunities and provides safe, affordable housing.” —Sandy DuPuy
“Matthews Help Center provides short term help to individuals and families in the Greater Matthews area who have experienced a financial crisis. MHC, aided by community support, revenue from its Backporch Treasures thrift store, and over 200 volunteers, provided over $800,000 in assistance to more than 2,600 households last year.” —Robert Hesselbacher
“MiraVia is truly a lifeline for young women facing unexpected pregnancies. They don’t just offer temporary help—they’re there for the long haul, giving women real support and hope. It’s amazing what they do, and so important for sharing the joy of new life.” —Andrew Dunn
“NourishUp is far more than a ‘food bank.’ It is a nutrition educator, a friendly face delivering meals, a locally sourced and local resource serving our region.” —Jon Heaslet
“Purple Heart Homes hails from Statesville and endeavors to provide home upgrades for handicapped access and safety to and for disabled and honorably discharged Veterans. It was started by two Statesville veterans and has now expanded to multiple chapters around the country. They have recently expanded to building tiny homes for unhoused veterans.” —Angelia Natili
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte
“This House is a home to parents with a child hospitalized in Charlotte. Because of the support they get, they can focus time and energy on their child.” —Anita Pangle
The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte
“As a volunteer over many years, I have witnessed the staff commitment to our community through the Center of Hope shelter, Christmas Center, emergency response and youth programs. Thousands of our underserved population benefit annually. The organization brings hope to those facing challenges.” —Mark Norman
“Youth Meditation teaches mindfulness meditation skills to young people, providing tools to deal with life and the many obstacles they will encounter over a lifetime. Kids need the practical knowledge and effective tools for managing stress and anxiety and emotions as they navigate through adolescence. For me personally, mindfulness meditation has changed my life, and I can just imagine if I had those tools from an early age!” —Larry Clark
HUMAN RIGHTS
Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency
“CRRA welcomes legal refugees to our country of immigrants and facilitates their productive and independent integration into our society. CRRA helps, encourages and celebrates refugees on their path to become citizens. A bare-bones group with committed leadership, CRRA represents the best face of the USA.” —George Bohmfalk
“I’ve supported PFLAG Charlotte with gifts of time and treasure for years. Why? Because PFLAG Charlotte’s mission is to create a caring, just and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. That’s the kind of world I’d like to live in.” —Karen Graci
“PFLAG has helped our family immensely, as well as many others throughout the Charlotte region. As a retired minister, I have witnessed its work of support, education and advocacy for decades. PFLAG’s work is needed more than ever to protect and increase inclusivity of some of our most vulnerable citizens.” —Jane Summey
SOCIAL ADVOCACY
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
“They offer services that protect people’s safety, shelter, health and income and have a profound impact on the lives of those served. Their team of dedicated attorneys, paralegals and support staff work tirelessly to ensure access to justice for all—helping individuals secure their rights and protect their futures.” —Kelly Lynn
“This women-owned pet rescue provides respite for animals in shelters, sparing them from a kill shelter, and providing care and health care so that animals can bridge to forever homes. My son and daughter-in-law are fostering a sweet girl who is recovering from heartworm treatments, likely abandoned. She wants a family, so sweet and well-behaved and will be completely healthy — what a gift!” —Moira Quinn
Friends of CMAS (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Shelters)
“If you have a pet or just love animals, you need to know about Friends of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Shelter. They’re the fundraising arm of Animal Care and Control and help provide essential services like free rabies vaccines, spay & neuter clinics, animal welfare monitoring, pet reunification and of course, animal adoptions.” —M. Mustapha
“As former foster parents, we love the mission of Foster Village Charlotte to support and advocate for foster parents. They believe that strengthening the families and systems that surround a child experiencing foster care leads to a resilient next generation that breaks the cycle of childhood adversity.” —Christina Emmons
“Like most physicians, I didn’t think about national healthcare policy. After I retired and became involved with HCJ•NC, I’ve learned of the grievous shortcomings of our healthcare system that could be remedied with a tax-based universal system. HCJ•NC is interested only in bringing the peace of mind of guaranteed healthcare to all Americans.” —George Bohmfalk
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman