Hi! If you’re looking for some Black Friday d-d-d-d-dealzzzzz, then you’ve come to the right place! I’m about to tell you a few of the places where you can get an excellent bang for your buck this holiday season!
Before I start, in a moment you’re going to realize (if you haven’t already) that this is actually a list of non-profit organizations that 100% need funding more than you need a slightly discounted flat screen TV. It’s an updated version of a post I ran in 2016, just a few days after Trump was elected to the White House. When I wrote it then, all of my suggestions felt important, but I didn’t realize just HOW important. It was really spooky (and sad) to look back at the list and see things that, back then, had then just been predictions about how this administration would carry itself, and which have since become full-blown realities, some of even darker than I could’ve imagined in November 2016. So, basically, this is me saying that you should heavily consider donating to any/all of the below organizations if you’ve got the means, because we are by no means close to exiting this nightmare.
So, without further adieu…
The Spot: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The Deal: Donating here will help to preserve and protect your individual rights and liberties! (A real bargain when you think about how the last two years have been, especially re: attacks on the media, and how the next two may very well be!)
The Spot: Border Angels
The Deal: This organization focuses on US-Mexico border relations; it advocates for immigration reform and social justice through education and outreach, and most recently, it’s been working to provide caravan relief. Really amazing work that could use your support, especially considering the current political climate.
The Spot: The Brady Campaign
The Deal: I don’t think there’s much more I can (or need to) say regarding the gun control crisis in America. The Brady Campaign is one of the oldest organizations seeking reform in this arena, and their goal is to cut gun-related deaths in half by 2025. Ambitious, but admirable. Even one less gun-related death is an improvement.
The Spot: Campaign Zero
The Deal: By donating here you’ll show support for the Black Lives Matter movement through police reform. Absolutely necessary.
The Spot: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
The Deal: A donation to this organization will help to combat baseless Islamophobia by promoting a positive image of Islam and Muslims here in the US. Very important considering hate crimes have been on the rise the past two years.
The Spot: The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
The Deal: Advocate for the rights of people with disabilities (people who Trump has openly mocked) by making a donation to DREDF.
The Spot: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The Deal: Donate to the NAACP to protect the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights, and to help eliminate race-based discrimination. I cannot stress enough how critical this is under the current administration.
The Spot: The National Center for Transgender Equality
The Deal: This administration has made it clear it has no intention of promoting or protecting the rights of transgender Americans, so it is absolutely essential to support organizations like NCTE, which is the top trans advocacy organization for lobbying in D.C.
The Spot: The National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
The Deal: Protect the rights of low-income immigrants during the remainder of Trump’s presidency by contributing here. Aid is needed now more than ever.
The Spot: Planned Parenthood
The Deal: Putting your money towards this nonprofit will help to provide sexual and reproductive health services across the country. VERY, VERY INCREASINGLY (TERRIFYINGLY) IMPORTANT.
The Spot: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
The Deal: This anti-sexual assault organization works with local rape crisis centers across the entire US. Seeing as Trump is a noted advocate for sexual harassment, and seeing as men like Brett Kavanaugh are still rewarded for sexual assault, a donation here is crucial.
The Spot: Sierra Club
The Deal: Donald Trump has repeatedly said that climate change is a hoax, which has been especially infuriating in the midst of these deadly California wildfires. A donation to the Sierra Club (which works to preserve the wilderness and pass environmental legislation) is without a doubt a crucial move. To help those directly affected by the wildfires, consider donating to the American Red Cross, the Southern California Disaster Relief Fund and United Way of Northern California, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.
The Spot: The Southern Poverty Law Center
The Deal: Fight hate groups and bigotry (again, both staggeringly on the rise since Trump entered the White House) by making a donation here.
The Spot: The Trevor Project
The Deal: This organization offers a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential hotline for LGBTQ+ youth contemplating suicide. Donate here and you might save a life.
The Spot: The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights
The Deal: Help to promote the safety and well-being of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children here in the US by making a donation to this organization. We’ve seen how incredibly important this kind of work is, and how important it is likely to continue to be so long as we’re living under this administration.
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