Our readers' picks: favorite local charities (Part 1 of 2)
For Giving Tuesday, a list of 60+ Charlotte-area organizations making our community better: improving education, aiding children in need, protecting the environment, supporting families in hard times
Charlotte is brimming with charities doing incredible things to make our region a better place, and often those good works happen quietly.
So to honor the season of giving and to mark Giving Tuesday, The Charlotte Ledger is publishing our third annual Charity Shout-Out today.
Earlier this month, we invited our community of paying members to write about the charities they most admire, with the idea being this: Some 1/3 of all charitable giving happens in December, so why not spread the word about worthy causes that might benefit from some holiday donations?
Readers wrote in about 64 charities. The first half of our list is below. The second half will come in a separate email. You can view this year’s full list online. You can also find 2020’s list here and last year’s list here.
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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 more than 600 Charlotte-area charities.
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.
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Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center
“This Charlotte nonprofit helps those with substance use disorders with detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and works throughout the community on efforts to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. They have some of the kindest, hardest-working staff around and deserve recognition for their service to our city. Anuvia has helped countless Charlotte residents achieve sobriety and reclaim their lives.” —Nicole Gardner
Assistance League of Charlotte
“Provides school uniforms, shoes, new underwear and hygiene kits to children in 25 high poverty schools!” —Ann Davis
“Baby Bundles is a longstanding non-profit committed to helping new mothers and babies get a positive start in life together. This group has a proven record of success and will put 2,100 bundles in the hands of moms who separately need this ‘baby shower in a bag’ that clothes the baby for 12 months. This organization is super fun to volunteer with and you feel so productive building bundles!” —Emily Harry
“Hi! I am one of the co-founders of baby bundles! Two friends and I started this charity 11 years ago to honor the infant children we all lost. We have loved being a part of something that honors our children while helping other moms/families who need some extra help in our community! Baby Bundles reaches so many families in need and provides them with a little extra hope and help for their newborn.” —Cat Long
Baby Bundles provides infant clothing and blankets to mothers in need as they leave the hospital. (Photo courtesy of Baby Bundles)
“I have supported Baby Bundles for years in various ways because of all they do to help families in need. Last year, my brother and sister-in-law lost a child and found immense support through the organization and their team. It was a reminder of why I love this charity so much and how important their work is in our community. Thank you BABY BUNDLES!” —Meredith Tomascak
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Charlotte
“In Charlotte, there are a lot of kids in situations where they need a mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters does a great job of connecting people together to help foster these relationships. A ‘big’ acts as a role model, a person to talk to and someone to offer another perspective. My ‘little’ is now bigger than me and in college, and I’m lucky to have had the chance to get to know him and see him mature from a great kid to a great young man.” —Chris Corcoran
“The Blue Ridge Conservancy has been protecting scenic, fragile, and culturally significant lands in the Charlotte area for over 25 years. I support BRC because land conservation is more important than ever in high-growth areas like western N.C., with its rising populations and dwindling natural spaces.” —Laura Paynter
“The Chetty study left the community scratching their heads about the current state of economic mobility in our community. This was our call to action to create the Boost Pad. The mission of The Boost Pad is to provide the resources women and BIPOC founders need to create sustainable business.” —Steven Lewis
“Brave Step empowers individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence. They help impacted adults reclaim the life they deserve, foster brave public conversations about sexual violence and cultivate courageous change-makers.” —Michael J. Solender
“Brave Step supports adult survivors of sexual violence. The founder is a true inspiration. She had the courage to share her story and help other adults who have experienced sexual abuse or violence as children — many of whom stayed silent about their experiences well into adulthood. Brave Step helps those adults to process and to heal, supports public conversations about sexual violence and fosters a strong community of support.” —Nicole Gardner
“I support this charity because of the amazing work they do to impact women both locally and globally. The organization does so much to help women ‘transform pain to purpose’ in our local community. Also, I think it is really cool that some of their artisans design and create the products they sell, which is unique for many non-profits.” —Rhett Postal
“Great organization in Charlotte that helps women overcome trauma and provides them with a strong community to help them build purposeful lives.” —Erin Diehl
“Love to see this organization rescuing foods (from the landfill) and giving out to community members in need! Win WIN!” —Amy Aussieker
“Camp Thunderbird has been changing lives for 85 years. Thunderbird is best known for day and resident camping. Kids need a meaningful camp experience today more than ever. I volunteer, and I give to this local treasure so more kids can experience this special place.” —Sloane Mayberry
“Carolina Waterfowl Rescue provides incredible care to waterfowl and many other creatures that would be ignored otherwise. They rarely say no to an animal in need. CWR does an amazing job utilizing social media (master storytellers) and educating their readers about rescue, caring for wildlife and so much more. They are angels on earth.” —Lesley O’Connor
The Center for Community Transitions
“If we are going to stop the cycle and increase economic mobility, we must help people with criminal records navigate paths toward healthy and productive lives. Second-chance employers are critically important, and CCT gives people the tools they need to be successful employees for those companies.” —Melissa Treadaway
“The Charlotte Boxing Academy’s creed and purpose has been to make life champions with influence of good character, academic achievement, high school and college graduation, and contributing life citizens of the community through positive mentoring, boxing coaches and competitions. Youth boxing ages 10-18.” —James Schepp
Charlotte ToolBank
“As a longtime volunteer, I have watched it grow from a small construction-based tool lending organization to a community-wide supporter of special events, increasing its broader appeal to the entire spectrum of organizations. Award-winning within its national network.” —Dave Peterson
“With the ToolBank, you get to support many nonprofits and community agencies across the city. The ToolBank lends tools and special event items to organizations at 80% of the cost. This savings allows the organizations to contribute more funds to achieve their mission. If you have seen blue tools on your community projects, you have worked with the ToolBank.” —Sara Downing
Volunteers help build a playground at Marie G. Davis School with the help of tools from the Charlotte ToolBank. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte ToolBank)
“Where does your local school get tools for their fall clean up? Where does your neighborhood get games for a block party? From the Charlotte ToolBank, of course! ToolBank’s lending library of more than 15,000 items are available to charitable organizations in our community for all their projects and events!” —Maureen Krueger
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Foundation
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Foundation is the non-profit partner of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools that raises private funds to support the district’s highest strategic priorities in instruction, staffing, technology and other areas. These investments in innovative ideas and programs help accelerate system-wide transformation that have a meaningful, sustainable impact on our students and educators.” —Adam Bernstein
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
“I have supported the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) for years and serve as chair of the Board of Directors. CTC is committed to making the theatre available to everyone from an early age — whether this is through one of our well-known productions such as ‘Annie’ or through The Kindness Project, which is original works created at CTC that encourage kindness. Help celebrate CTC’s 75th anniversary this year by making a donation!” —Mitchell Kelling
“Claire’s Army seeks to serve families, love kids and fight pediatric cancer. They support families with kids fighting cancer by providing gas cards, meals, home payments, car payments, utility payments, etc. Claire was a 2-year-old who lost her battle to neuroblastoma, and the Army is the way to continue her story and tell other kids ‘I got you’ as Claire did.” —Kevin Fox
“This nonprofit provides immediate, on-the-ground support for families as they begin and sustain their pediatric cancer journey. They provide financial assistance, meals and a support network to help these families through these very challenging times.” —Shawn Flynn
“Nearly 50% of CMS schools are classified as Title I, which means many students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The families also cannot afford school supplies. Classroom Central supports teachers in Title I schools in greater Charlotte by providing free school supplies that they can use for their students. Our family has volunteered with supply drives, fundraising and board leadership, in addition to being consistent donors ourselves.” —Suzanne Meeker
“Compassionate assistance to help people find decent affordable housing.” —Ann Davis
“I’d like to give a shout out to CORE Wrestling for their work with boys and girls in our community. I’ve seen children learn about the importance of hard work, determination and overcoming adversity. I’ve seen kids gain self-confidence that wasn’t there when they walked through the door that morning. This team is changing and bringing together our community one child at a time!" —Carrington Dillon
E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide
“E2D refurbishes and redistributes low-cost laptops into communities that otherwise would struggle to afford them. They have distributed over 20,000 computers to Charlotte Region families just since the outset of Covid. There has never been a more important moment for digital inclusion than right now, and E2D’s work remains essential.” —Pat Millen
E2D seeks to bridge the digital divide by working to ensure that families have the computers and internet access, and works to expose young people to careers in information technology. (Photo courtesy of E2D)
“The Echo Foundation is Charlotte's very own international justice organization, annually hosting Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners to help students and teachers study global causes. Founded by Elie Wiesel and Stephanie Ansaldo, Echo is Charlotte’s voice around the world promoting human dignity, social justice and moral courage. Amplify the power of education!” —Beth Haenni
“Envision Charlotte leads Charlotte’s progress as a global Smart City through innovations that strengthen economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and positive community impacts. Envision Charlotte has recently embarked on transitioning Charlotte's linear economy to a circular economy by reducing our waste going to landfill.” —Darlene Heater
“Envision Charlotte is focused on creating a more sustainable city. From promoting proper recycling to addressing material landfill diversion to managing programs to collect bubble wrap, PakTechs and brewery grain bags, just to name a few. The Innovation Barn in its first year had over 15,000 visitors and had over 3,000 volunteer hours. Their outreach is making an impact in Charlotte and in cities across the country!” —Kim Marks
“FSP helps kids from poor and disadvantaged areas change their futures by preventing the 2 to 3 months of summer reading loss they would otherwise suffer. FSP increases literacy for kids that need it while showing them that their communities care about them. By doing so, it helps end cycles of dependency and increases social mobility. All that in an amazing summer program run by hundreds of student interns and staff.” —Brian Bernhardt
“Freedom School Partners serves vulnerable children (grades K-8) and families by providing a six-week literacy and enrichment camp program each summer that includes transportation, meals and snacks at no cost to participants. This nonprofit is meeting a critical need in our community by helping to prevent summer learning loss.” —Glenda Bernhardt
“Furnish for Good believes a home’s environment affects the mental health and housing sustainability of an individual. While keeping over 10,000 household items out of landfills, FFG recipients are able to share family dinners and conversations around your well-loved dining table, outfit a kitchen with your pots and pans and have a new mattress to dream on every night.” —Mary Beth Hollett
Get Your Rear In Gear - Charlotte
“Breaking down barriers to colorectal cancer screening and treatment in Charlotte is our mission. Get Your Rear In Gear provides over $100,000 annually to community partners and directly to patients and survivors to increase screening access and help cover financial needs. The signature event is a 5K walk/run in March.” —Philip Sanford
Greater Steps Scholarship Fund
“Greater Steps provides both funds and mentoring support for area students who are/were residents of Charlotte’s public housing programs. Donations can be designated for immediate use or to add to the endowment. After our children finished college, we chose to continue to fund college tuition for a student annually. Hearing from the recipients is truly inspiring.” —Stephen Valder
Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County
“Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County believes everyone deserves a place to call home. The need for safe, stable homes has never been greater. The ability to afford decent housing is out of reach for too many families. Habitat Gaston partners with families to make their dream of homeownership possible.” —Kay Peninger
Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church
“Friendly, encouraging services and programs. Wonderful outreach including Room In The Inn (homeless), Alcoholics Anonymous, preschool, music camp, youth mission trips, studies and family-friendly Wednesday Night events (with dinners). Vibrant, multi-generational, traditional/contemporary/blended worship services (with nursery) in an inspiring, 107-year old sanctuary in Elizabeth/Plaza-Midwood. All are welcomed.” —Tommy Lawing, Jr.
➡️ You can view the full list online. (The second half will be sent by email separately)
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project
I realize that these are all worthy causes, but for the list to be useful to me it would need to be at least cut in half. I recognize that eliminates many important entities, but I might be able to go through a shorter list and choose a few in addition to our current giving.