10 Ways to Give Back Beyond Giving Tuesday
“Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.”
Did you receive a newsletter from every single business you’ve ever purchased something from the past five days? Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. You add in the impact of the need to recover lost business revenue from shutdowns, and we have experienced the largest push for consumer spending to-date. After all of the consumption to support the economy, there is an interest in also giving back to our communities.
Let’s be honest! Giving Tuesday has continued to go viral every year since it was created in 2012 to help shoppers feel like they can offset excess consumerism with giving back. I’ve personally tried to justify my excess by telling myself, “at least the majority of the businesses I support are Black-owned” when in reality, “none of my purchases during Cyber Week are a need.” Therefore, I can be honest with myself (and you) by saying, “I support Giving Tuesday and giving back as a whole because the same way that I pour into businesses is the same way that I can pour into causes that support our breath.”
Here is a list of 10 organizations I personally recommend pouring into Giving Tuesday and beyond!
I
Heritage of Pride
“Heritage of Pride works toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law. We do this by producing LGBTQIA+ Pride events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community.”
Heritage of Pride is the first org that contributed to me being comfortable in the skin I am in. As a teen, the NYC Pride March was synonymous with being a sea of rainbows, beauty, love, and life that was as close as an annual C train ride to the heart of Alphabet City. I attended the march for just under two decades when I became a member of the March Committee three years ago. As of World Pride 2019, the march evolved from a staple embraced by New York to a melting pot attended by the world. I love the strides HOP has made with diversity, plus supporting emerging LGBTQIA+ organizations. Let’s support their growth so that they can continue to uplift our community.
II
amfAR
“amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $550 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide.”
Today, December 1st is also World AIDS Day, a day to unite in the global response to HIV/AIDS, support people living with HIV, and honor lives lost to the HIV epidemic. The U.S. Government’s theme for this year’s observance, “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Resilience & Impact,” calls for greater commitment, greater resilience, and optimized use of expertise – both in responding to COVID-19 and our ongoing commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.
III
Equality Should Be Normal (ESBN)
“Our mission is to eradicate racism while advocating for violence prevention, reforming education, mentorship and enriching the Black community.”
At the height of consecutively documented cases of injustices against Black brothers and sisters this Summer, I encountered the roots of Equality Should Be Normal. ESBN organized a Juneteenth march that sparked hundreds of Chicagoans to take to the streets and demand justice. The Founder, Romel Murphy immediately expressed his drive to create sustainable avenues to support our communities and has kept his word ever since. I joined the Volunteer Committee as Media Relations Chair and have had the opportunity to work with a cohort program of phenomenal local highschool seniors from underserved communities who are bound to be the face of our future. Since Juneteenth, ESBN has invested over $40,000 in give back initiatives and opened a Community Resource Center on the Southside of Chicago.
IV
Outerbelt Alliance NFP
“The Outerbelt is a 210-mile hike around Greater Chicago almost exclusively in natural spaces and on pedestrian infrastructure. The mission of The Outerbelt Alliance is to promote eco-recreation in a metropolitan environment, engaging diverse communities in outdoor experience.”
As someone whose immediate family are angels above and among us, nature has become a fundamental part of how I communicate with them. I’ve greeted my mother at the mouth of oceans, ledge of cliffs, and heart of forests. Therefore, meeting the Founder of Outerbelt Alliance who shared a similar testimony about his mother gravitated me to becoming a Board Member of his emerging eco-recreation organization. Outerbelt hosts an annual hike around the Greater Chicago area to illuminate the fact that the outdoor experience can be as close as a short walk away.
V
Haitian American Caucus (HAC)
“The Haitian American Caucus (HAC) is a driving coalition, a movement to improve the lives of the Haitian-American community and its allies. The Haitian motto is, “L'union fait la force,” which translates to, “In unity, there is strength.”
- Haitian American Caucus
In partnership with Purpose Driven Passports, the Haitian American Caucus launched “The Good Samaritan Project.” The Good Samaritan Project was a priceless experience where myself and shy of 10 other Black professionals went to HAC Haiti’s school in Croix-des-Bouquets to teach a business program to their high school students. Two years later, some of those talented students recently graduated and each of us have continued to receive updates regarding the school programs progress. Approximately $500 - $600 can help fund a school year for student.I cannot say enough positive things about this hidden gem of Ouest.
VI
IVHQ
“Our mission is to change the face of volunteer travel. Established in 2007, we have grown to become the world’s leading volunteer travel company, working in over 40 destinations around the world and placing thousands of volunteers abroad every year.”
I stumbled across IVHQ upon seeking out additional independent ways to volunteer teach when traveling internationally. IVHQ is a social enterprise and not a charity. Their enterprise is focused on providing affordable, quality and responsible volunteer abroad opportunities and due to the fact they are not a charity, IVHQ cannot accept donations. If an IVHQ volunteer wishes to make a donation to their volunteer placement, they encourage volunteers to inform their local team so they can identify an effective way for the donation to be invested.
VII
DOOR
“DOOR is a faith-based network of cities that provides opportunities for service, learning, and leadership development within the urban context. We host volunteers for a weekend to a year and include opportunities for individuals and groups.”
DOOR Chicago launched a volunteer pilot this year called, “Up Next!” Up Next is a mentorship program that partnered four Black business women with four young ladies who are rising in their respective passions. The pilot kicked off in-person at the top of the Spring where we said to each other, “see you soon” without realizing that it would be the last time that we would see each other for six months. As a mentor, I’ve had the priceless opportunity to be a part of a growing sisterhood that participated in interactive video calls, presentations, and holistic wellness workshops throughout the course of this unconventional year. This organization leads with dreamcatchers in the driver seat so I look forward to seeing adaptations of this pilot expanding across the nation.
VIII
National Kidney Foundation
“Fueled by passion and urgency, National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education and accelerating change.”
My mother, Patricia Jackson transitioned to the ancestral plane when I was in college due to a variety of underlying conditions, which included acute renal failure of her kidneys. I stood by her side as her body rapidly progressed through the stages of kidney failure over the span of two months until an infection took her last breath. Ever since then I’ve been a proponent of kidney health. The National Kidney Foundation is at the forefront of resources for professionals as well as for patients and their families. Plus, they are matching every donation made before midnight tonight!
IX
The American Heart Association and The Children’s Heart Foundation
“From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 40 million volunteers and supporters as well as our more than 2,800 employees.”
- The American Heart Association
My father, Robert L. Jackson battled with two strokes rooted in high blood pressure until he became the first angel of my immediate family when I was in the second grade. Organizations such as the American Heart Association provide an abundance of heart health resources to at risk populations across the United States, including African American adults who have historically been less likely to receive preventive heart disease care.
X
Don’t Miss A Beat (DMAB)
“The mission of Don’t Miss a Beat, Inc. is to blend music, art, academic achievement, and civic engagement to inspire and enlighten children and teens in the Riverside, Brooklyn and Woodstock communities.”
DMAB is a phenomenal family-owned organization that was recently put on my radar by Artistic Director, Ulysses Owens Jr. The program is filled to the brim with talented students who are consistently featured in all of their joy. Providing a donation will help continue ongoing academic support and creative pursuit projects being provided at their Jacksonville based facility.
Love,
Li