My Favorite Charities

Tips on Donating to a Charity

Make a plan! Decide which charities will be efficient when utilizing your donation. A high percentage of the money raised should going to help the cause, and not being spent on the administration of the charity. If the amount is not published, then ask about their expense ratio before you donate to them. Choose a cause that resonates with your values and personality.

• Local Schools
• Nursing Homes
• Homeless Shelters
• Domestic Violence Shelters
• Animal Shelters

Be clever! Before you donate to a charity, you should always verify their status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and check their record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Humane Society / Animal Shelters

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization. They work to reduce suffering and improve the lives of all animals by advocating for better laws; investigating animal cruelty; encouraging corporations to adopt animal-friendly policies; conducting disaster relief and animal rescue; and providing direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries, emergency shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics

Visit the Humane Society of the United States web site at HumaneSociety.org

Animal Cruelty / ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA works hard to prevent animal cruelty and they have saved the lives of millions of animals through humane shelters and pet adoptions.

If you are considering a new pet, please check your local animal shelters for pets who desperately need to be adopted into a loving home. ASPCA.org has a search tool that enables you to find and adopt a pet breed that will fit your lifestyle and expectations.

Visit the ASPCA web site at ASPCA.org

United Service Organizations (USO)

The United Service Organizations (USO) has a mission of lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families. They operate an extensive range of programs at over 150 centers in 27 countries, and each year at hundreds of entertainment events. Thousands of USO volunteers do everything possible to provide a home away from home for our troops and to keep them connected to the families they left behind.

The USO makes sure help goes to those who need it the most: troops serving in combat, their families, our wounded warriors and their families, and families of our fallen heroes.

As a nonprofit, non-political organization, the USO is now, and always will be, about serving our troops. As their motto says: Wherever and whenever they go, the USO will be there, until every one comes home.

Visit the USO web site at USO.org

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) - MDA.org is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig's disease), childhood spinal muscular atrophy, and many other neuromuscular conditions. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education. MDA was founded in 1950 and millions of dollars were raised each year under the leadership of entertainment legend Jerry Lewis. The annual telethon is held each Labor Day, but you can donate to MDA.org at any time of the year. Please support MDA and help Jerry's kids!

Visit the MDA web site at MDA.org

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)

SLDN.org - The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services, watchdog, and policy organization dedicated to assisting military personnel who were affected by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy. Through the tireless and heroic efforts of SLDN.org, the repeal of the DADT policy took effect on September 20th, 2011. Although the policy was repealed, there is still much work to be done to restore the honor of service to the thousands of troops who were affected by the policy.

Visit the SLDN web site at SLDN.org