Our readers' picks: favorite local charities
Today and tomorrow, we'll introduce you to 57 Charlotte-area charities recommended by Ledger members
Good morning! Today is Monday, December 2, 2024. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Introducing 57 Charlotte-area charities recommended by Ledger members, from education to healthcare to the arts
Charlotte is filled 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, The Charlotte Ledger is publishing our fifth annual Charity Shout-Out today.
Last month, we invited our community of paying members to write about the local charities they most admire. 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 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 recommendations in the following categories: arts, community development, education, environmental conservation and healthcare.
COMING TOMORROW: In a bonus newsletter edition on Tuesday, we’ll share the recommended charities in human services, human rights and social advocacy.
FULL LIST: You can read the full list for 2024 here.
You can find our previous lists here: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
(New to The Ledger? We’re an e-newsletter with local and business-y news and insights that’s quickly becoming one of Charlotte’s go-to sources for smart, engaging and thoughtful news and analysis. We offer free and paid subscriptions.)
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.
ARTS
“Everyone deserves access to art and music and all the benefits they bring. But for a lot of people, financial barriers get in the way. Arts+ does an amazing job breaking down those barriers and making arts education available to everyone.” —Jon Littlepage
“I’ve never seen an organization grow so fast and generate so much excitement for community outreach and promotion of the arts! IPH is actively living their mission to “engage, educate and enable the Charlotte community through the art of film” and I’m very proud of what we are accomplishing.” —Tom Eiselt
“As the only nonprofit community and arthouse cinema in Charlotte, The Independent Picture House fills a void for movie lovers and casual movie goers. Through post-screening talkbacks and community screenings and programs, along with affordable rental rates for filmmakers, creatives, educators, and nonprofits, IPH provides a space for individuals to grow in their understanding of local obstacles, world affairs and the art of filmmaking.” —Claire Lechtenberg
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
“The Charlotte ToolBank is a MUST for Mecklenburg County nonprofits! E2D - Eliminate the Digital Divide relies on the equipment that the ToolBank team has to offer. Having access to ToolBank’s large list of supplies is incredibly helpful toward our mission of ending the digital divide for all Charlotte/Mecklenburg residents.” —Pat Millen
“The Charlotte ToolBank is the backbone of community impact, providing over 1,100 charitable organizations with affordable tools and event supplies. With 13,000+ items in our inventory, every dollar donated helps organizations strengthen communities, revitalize spaces, and create lasting change where it’s needed most — including Western North Carolina.” —Maureen Krueger
“Freedom Communities is creating lasting change in Charlotte by empowering families and providing opportunities for a brighter future. With over 510 mothers and children impacted and 800+ affordable housing options preserved, built and in development, we’re expanding access in underserved areas.” —Suzanne Hunt
“The volunteers and the service they provide to their local community keeps everyone’s needs visible, and actively shows support through giving and kindness in real time for those who need it.” —Lorraine Thedinga
“Sustain Charlotte has been instrumental in advocating for policies that promote responsible growth, sustainable transportation and environmental conservation in the Charlotte area. From influencing transit expansion plans to shaping climate action goals, they're improving quality of life for residents and helping make the city more resilient to future challenges.” —Lauren Sawyers
The Junior League of Charlotte
“The JLC is celebrating 99 years of service in Charlotte this year and both supports the community with volunteer time and dollars, as well as supports women in developing leadership skills.” —Christina Gratrix
“Celebration and commemoration of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s rich history as the location of the first declaration of independence in America, on May 20, 1775.” —Scott Syfert
“Engages a broad grouping of Charlotte society — history, education, parks and recreation, and civic pride.” —Charles Jonas
“Recognizing our community leaders from the past that made a difference.” —Ron Hankins
“The Trail of History is Charlotte’s Only Outdoor History Museum. Our mission is to recapture and preserve the significance of key people who contributed to the history, growth and development of Mecklenburg County by erecting larger-than-life representative statues along the urban section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.” —Scott Syfert
“The Trail of History’s salute to Mecklenburg's history began with the beautiful statue of Captain Jack and now includes 11 beautiful bronze statues recognizing very significant people who formed Charlotte’s history. There are 10 planned additional sites for statues which will represent historical figures across the centuries.” —Al Brown
“As a board member, I’m proud of how the Trail represents Charlotte’s diversity across the sweep of the area’s rich 250-year history.” —Jessica Graham
EDUCATION
“I have been an ALP tutor for over 10 years and gladly support them financially, too. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that provides free, high-quality literacy tutoring in high need schools. ALP provides in-depth training to every tutor, high quality measurable curriculum that has demonstrated results and a supportive staff in schools for tutors.” —Carol Gray-Adler
“ALP is a proven method of tutoring children grades 1-3 to get them to an age-appropriate reading level. Tutors are all volunteers. ALP is wholeheartedly endorsed by and works with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system.” —Des Keller
“Augustine Literacy in partnership with CMS is attacking early literacy deficits with in-person and virtual tutoring. Both methods are highly successful. Students are making incredible progress and tutors say the time spent is the best part of their day. A win for everyone! More students are waiting for tutors. You can make a real difference!” —Margaret Marshall
“Augustine Literacy Program (ALP) provides tutors to schools with primarily low income students (Title 1 schools). This non-profit recruits volunteers and provides excellent training to prepare us on a well-researched and tested method of teaching reading to early elementary students. The results have shown students to have significant improvement.” —Ellen Holliday
“The charity, through volunteers, helps mostly first and second graders in 22 Title I schools in Charlotte catch up to grade level reading abilities.” —Alex Degernes
“Its tagline says it all: ‘Tutor one child. Change two lives.’ ALP is intergenerational and apolitical. ALP pairs children who need extra attention and encouragement with adults who are willing to make a major time commitment to help one child not only learn to read, but gain self-confidence and a new friend.” —Lisa Saunders
“I am a trained volunteer with ALP and have found it to be the best literacy program that continues to grow and evolve as needs change and can help transform the children’s lives learning to read.” —Karen Shea
“ALP is changing the future lives of more than 500 aspiring readers by providing one-on-one tutoring to those students that have fallen behind and need concentrated assistance and encouragement from kind and trained tutors.” —Mike Blair
“ALP makes a difference. As a tutor, I am seeing the huge growth as I work with a student from 1st to 2nd grade. As an observer for the League of Women Voters of all Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board meetings, I watch the reports in terms of meeting the district's literacy goals and I see the results. There is good news.” —Laura Cooper
“I’ve seen firsthand how The Boost Pad is transforming Charlotte’s entrepreneurial community. I’ve watched nearly 100 driven founders go through its incubator program, gaining the resources and mentorship needed to build impactful businesses.” —Douglas Neal
“Charlotte’s only K-12 civic literacy and student leadership education organization, GenerationNation is developing a new generation of leaders for Charlotte and beyond. Students learn first-hand how their governments and communities work and build knowledge, skills, experience, social capital and opportunity for leadership now and into college, career and civic life.” —Amy Farrell
“HEART Math Tutoring gets students on track for academic success by working with students on basic math skills. I have been a tutor for 12 years, and you don't have to be a math superstar to help a child. HEART works with over 1,000 students in CMS, and more are waiting for a tutor. Sign up today!” —Margaret Marshall
“The nonprofit was started by an N.C. State student who is working to build classrooms for a school in El Salvador.” —Rick Rothacker
“I support TFI because excellent teachers need to be recognized and championed. Research shows the No. 1 reason students succeed academically is their relationship with a teacher. TFI celebrates good teachers and through their alumni programs continues to promote good teaching.” —Ann Hannah
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
“I have been a member of the board for several years. We help to improve the parks in the county.” —Greg Austin
“Partners for Parks aims to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region by preserving, promoting and enhancing the parks, greenways, open spaces, active play and recreational opportunities within our community.” —Jennifer Brooks
“Partners for Parks supports parks, greenways, recreation and open space in Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region. They advocate for more budget from Mecklenburg County and focus on being sure that these facilities and programs are serving all parts of our community, especially the underserved corridors of opportunity.” —Al Brown
“I love our parks here in Mecklenburg County, and P4P does an excellent job promoting and enhancing our parks for the entire community.” —Matthew Ridenhour
“Their trail is a wonderful place to walk through our greenway.” —Ron Hankins
“Advocates and raises funds and awareness about the importance of our parks, open space and recreation for all.” —Beth Poovey
HEALTHCARE
“Assist ME collects gently used medical equipment and gifts it to underinsured Charlotteans in need. Having essential rehab equipment speeds patients' recovery, their ability to care for family and return to work — restoring dignity and enriching community.” —Ann Marie Beurle
“Support Claire’s Army to provide vital assistance to families battling pediatric cancer. Their compassionate services offer financial aid, hospital meals and essential support, allowing families to focus on their child’s care. This is a ‘family’ who are on the front lines supporting other families on their worst days.” —Shawn Flynn
Cook Community Clinic, formerly known as Lake Norman Community Health Clinic
“Cook Community Clinic believes everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life. Over the past 26 years, CCC has been a place of hope and healing for almost 10,000 uninsured neighbors in our community. They offer a place where people feel welcomed and loved — where trust leads to hope. When people have hope that their future will be healthier, they’re already halfway to healing.” —Sarah Porter
“I am proud to support the Go Jen Go Foundation, which is an incredible community resource that provides hope and critical support to families who are facing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis. Currently, the foundation supports approximately 90 families per month in the greater Charlotte area.” —Jenni Walker
“Holy Angels, a nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is raising funds for four backup generators to protect residents in its community group homes during power outages. Your donation ensures safe, uninterrupted care, offering stability, dignity and peace of mind to those who need it most.” —Shawn Flynn
“I’m a big fan of HopeWay, an accredited nonprofit mental health treatment organization that helps clients find hope and healing. Seeing firsthand what they are doing to provide extraordinary mental health services for adults, teens, veterans and first responders is truly inspiring.” —Jenni Walker
The Ivey Brain Health & Wellness Center
“The Ivey Brain Health & Memory Wellness Center, in Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood, was founded in 2008 by Lynn Ivey. The Ivey is a respite club, offering memory wellness programs for those living with cognition challenges, as well as support for caregivers. Services include brain-health workshops, keeping brains healthy for aging well.” —Rachel Sutherland
Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina
“Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina grants wishes for children with critical illnesses in our area. There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing the incredible impact a wish can have on a child and their family at a time when they desperately need strength, hope and joy.” —Peter Smul
“Mitchell’s House is the first-of-its-kind, non-profit counseling center in the U.S. to focus on children and families facing medical trauma. Mitchell’s House children have cancer, rare genetic disorders, cardiac conditions, sickle cell disease. When a child is the patient, counseling is important for the whole family.” —Meg McElwain, CEO
Planned Parenthood — Charlotte Health Center
“Reproductive rights are essential for the wellbeing of women, families and the community. PP serves a valuable service!” —Theresa Nardi
“For over 30 years, THC has provided physical and mental health services to teens and their families from professionals trained in their unique needs while also providing family and community education, teen leadership development and research. THC adapted quickly to meet the increased requests for critical teen mental health services.” —Sandy DuPuy
“My husband and I co-founded Vision To Learn Charlotte in 2018. VTL provides vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to children at their schools and community organizations with mobile vision clinics at no cost to the children or their families.” —Renee and Hugh McColl III
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COMING TOMORROW: We’ll share the recommended charities in human services, human rights and social advocacy.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events: Business Roundtable coffee social, Tosco Music Holiday Party
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
TUESDAY: “Private Business Roundtable — Coffee Social.” Waterbean Coffee, 1415 Vantage Park Drive #110, Charlotte. Join us for our last Private Business Roundtable of 2024. The PBR Coffee Social is open to all private business owners, operators, investors and friends. Celebrate the year, connect with new and old friends and meet some of our favorite charity partners. Free.
DECEMBER 16: “Tosco Music Holiday Party.” 7:30-10:30 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. Celebrate the season with this local tradition that transforms Knight Theater into Charlotte’s living room for the holidays, gathering 1,200 friends & neighbors for holiday songs and singalongs with diverse acts & a variety of music styles! Fun for all ages! Cost: $22.50 - $56.50 with 10% discount for groups of 10+.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
In brief:
Chance of snow flurries: There’s a 37% chance that Charlotte will receive 0.1 inches or more of snow between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. It hasn’t snowed in Charlotte since January 2022. (Observer)
Lawsuit over student death: The parents of a 17-year-old Rocky River High School student who was shot and killed in 2022 while getting off a school bus have sued Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the school’s former principal, alleging they were negligent. The suit says the school didn’t report and failed to stop threats against the student. Two juveniles were charged in connection with the death. (Fox 46)
Vaccine exemptions on the rise: The percentage of N.C. kindergarteners with vaccine exemptions increased to 2.9% this year, up from 1% in 2014. (Axios Raleigh)
LaMelo injury: Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, the NBA’s second-leading scorer, will be out for at least two weeks with a calf strain, the team said. (Charlotte Hornets)
Restaurant competition: Steakhouses are the type of restaurant with the most competition in Charlotte, while barbecue restaurants have the least competition, according to a new report. (Biz Journal, subscriber-only)
N.C. dog wins title: A pug from Chapel Hill named Vito beat nearly 2,000 other dogs to win “Best in Show” at the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day. (Axios)
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman