29 Best Charities To Donate To in 2025
There are tons of charities supporting issues across the globe and it can be difficult to decide which are the best charities to donate to. Maybe your cause is all about funding life-saving research for cancer patients. Or maybe you support animal welfare. Either way, it’s important to find a cause you care about when donating your hard-earned money.
The CDC mentions several factors to consider when determining which charity to give to. Among several of their tips, evaluating an organization's values and mission, as well as reviewing the impact they’ve made in their cause, are primary details to keep in mind. Charity Watch is another great resource to help you assess the validity of a foundation. What is the best charity to donate to? We’ve compiled a list of the best charities to donate to to support humanitarian, environmental, healthcare and animal welfare efforts.
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Best Charities To Donate To In The USA & Internationally
1. Action Against Hunger
If you want to make a big impact globally, Action Against Hunger is one of the best charities to donate to. For over 45 years, this organization has invested in fighting the hunger crisis by feeding millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, around 733 million people face food insecurity every year. Donate to Action Against Hunger to support their pledge to end hunger for millions of families across the globe!
2. The Humane World for Animals
Support The Humane World for Animals as one of the best charities to donate to for animal welfare. This foundation strives to protect animals, uncover the causes of animal cruelty and seek permanent change to create a better life for animals everywhere. You can give a one-time or monthly gift to support this organization’s mission to care for animals.
3. American Cancer Society
Give to the American Cancer Society for one of the best charities to donate to for cancer research efforts. This foundation aims to end cancer through high-end research, advocacy across communities and support for patients and their families. Your gift will assist them in providing opportunities to help the public prevent or detect cancer, or treat and survive this illness.
4. Ocean Conservancy
If you’d like to support ocean relief efforts, the Ocean Conservancy is one of the best charities to donate to. Your contribution will provide resources to help the foundation recover trash from the ocean, protect the ocean’s habitat and provide programs to inform the public about the importance of ocean conservation efforts.
5. National Domestic Violence Hotline
Support your local community by giving to the National Domestic Violence Hotline as one of the best charities to donate to. By donating to this foundation, you’ll further their mission to support and empower people affected by abusive relationships. Your investment will provide support to ensure the organization offers free, confidential phone support, informational guidance to those affected and referral services in over 200 languages.
6. World Central Kitchen
For one of the best charities to donate to support humanitarian efforts, World Central Kitchen provides chef-prepared meals to communities affected by natural disasters. From serving freshly cooked meals to families overwhelmed by historic flooding in Southeast Oregon to donating emergency kits with gardening seeds in Ukraine, this organization aims to supply nourishing meals for communities across the globe.
7. The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is one of the best charities to donate to for LGBTQ+ support. Through the foundation’s research, it’s estimated that more than 1.8 million young LGBTQ+ people contemplate suicide every year in the United States. The Trevor Project strives to provide counseling, peer support, advocacy and education to uplift and protect this community.
8. The Salvation Army
If you’re looking for one of the best charities to donate to that serves a variety of demographics, The Salvation Army is dedicated to helping millions of people across the globe. From providing services that assist families affected by human trafficking to offering educational, spiritual and vocational opportunities to the incarcerated, there is no shortage of ways The Salvation Army strives to make the world a better place.
9. Best Friends Animal Society
If you have a heart for supporting unhoused animals, give to the Best Friends Animal Society for one of the best charities to donate to. The foundation consists of thousands of animal shelters, rescue groups and animal welfare centers to ensure each pet is treated with love and placed into their forever home. Another positive to supporting this organization: they strive to eliminate no-kill cities to save even more animals’ lives.
10. World Wildlife Fund
While operating in over 100 countries, the organization focuses on wildlife and ocean conservation, educating the public about the environmental effects of climate change and sustainable food production to solve the world’s hunger crisis. Support the World Wildlife Fund as one of the best charities to donate to by donating to this foundation to support their conservation efforts.
11. Stand Up to Cancer
Help Stand Up to Cancer raise awareness and provide research opportunities. As one of the best charities to donate to, this organization seeks to reduce cancer deaths by supplying resources to detect early-stage cancers. With your contribution, you’ll support their mission to cure and save close to 2 million lives in the next decade!
12. The Hunger Project
This organization directly addresses the issues of inequality as a result of the hunger crisis and strives to empower developing societies with access to education, food and healthcare. Your donation would also support sustainability efforts and a comprehensive approach to ending hunger worldwide. Support the humanitarian efforts of The Hunger Project as one of the best charities to donate to.
13. Futures Without Violence
For over 40 years, this charity has empowered families to end violence against women and children. Futures Without Violence equips medical professionals, coaches and teachers with the knowledge to detect and respond to violence and abuse within families. Partner with Futures Without Violence as one of the best charities to donate to, as they also collaborate with policymakers to educate the public on the importance of respect and healthy relationships.
14. Human Rights Campaign
For one of the best charities to donate to support LGBTQ+ rights, contribute to the Human Rights Campaign. Your gift will fund programming to educate the public about the LGBTQ+ community and advance inclusivity policies in schools, workplaces and across society. This charity strives to make equality accessible for all, and your donation will make all the difference!
15. Earthworks
As one of the most impactful organizations to prevent the destructive effects of the extraction of oil, gas and minerals, Earthworks is also one of the best charities to donate to. Your donation will help efforts to reduce pollution and slow global warming. Earthworks seeks to provide sustainable solutions for a long-lasting, healthy environment.
16. Family Promise
Family Promise is one of the best charities to donate to for the unhoused. For over 30 years, this organization has focused on helping struggling families and children experiencing homelessness. Through your gift to Family Promise, you’ll fund case management and community support, rental assistance, and educational and professional initiatives to prevent families from re-experiencing homelessness.
17. American Red Cross
Support a variety of causes with a donation to the American Red Cross. From providing disaster relief across the globe to supporting military families, your gift will ensure critical resources are sent to those who need help the most! If you’re looking for fundraising ideas, raising money for a major gift to this organization will significantly support its mission.
18. Feeding America
Feeding America is one of the best charities to donate to if you’d like to support families facing the hunger crisis. With a variety of food pantries, food banks and meal programs around the United States, your donation would help provide access to nutritious meals for struggling communities.
19. Convoy of Hope
If you’d like to donate to a faith-based organization, Convoy of Hope is one of the best charities to donate to. This charity seeks to assist children and their families by providing disaster services, agricultural support, and opportunities for community engagement and women’s empowerment. Your donation will bring hope where it’s needed most!
20. American Humane Society
Protect animals through the American Humane Society as one of the best charities to donate to. This foundation prioritizes the safety, humane treatment and well-being of all animals. Give to the American Humane Society to advocate for and champion a better future for animals across the nation.
21. National Sexual Assault Hotline
Donate to the National Sexual Assault Hotline, also known as the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) to support survivors across the United States. This organization strives to fight for justice and prevent sexual violence. You can make a one-time or monthly donation to ensure the hotline is available 24/7.
22. Environmental Working Group
EWG conducts research to ensure the public has access to a safe and healthy lifestyle. From investigating chemicals in personal care and cleaning products to innovating sustainable ways for agricultural methods, this charity strives to keep the environment safe and humanity healthy. Partner with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for one of the best charities to donate to.
23. Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC)
As one of the best charities to donate to for homelessness issues in New York City, the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) strives to provide opportunities to help unhoused clients get back on their feet. Your donation would support BRC’s mission to break the cycle of homelessness by providing care for addiction and mental health struggles and helping clients find long-term employment.
24. Doctors Without Borders
Located in over 70 countries, Doctors Without Borders strives to provide urgent aid in times of crisis and international conflict. As one of the best charities to donate to for humanitarian efforts, your donation to Doctors Without Borders will provide critical resources to help the organization save lives around the globe.
25. Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s mission to prevent and cure breast cancer with a one-time or monthly donation. According to the foundation, around 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Your gift will provide support for researchers to discover solutions to save lives and bring an end to cancer.
26. Feed My Starving Children
This charity works with food distribution partners to create and supply nutritional food to provide relief to children and their families. Your gift will give a meal to a hungry child and hope for the future. Partner with Feed My Starving Children for one of the best charities to donate to the global hunger crisis.
27. Coalition for the Homeless
For over 40 years, this foundation has worked hard to provide emergency food and clothing to the homeless community, as well as provide opportunities for long-term stability. With your donation, you’ll help the organization implement solutions to help individuals and their families struggling with homelessness. For one of the best charities to donate to help the homeless in New York City, donate to the Coalition for the Homeless.
28. Rainforest Alliance
Consider donating to the Rainforest Alliance, one of the best charities dedicated to environmental protection. The foundation partners with local farmers to support them in adopting sustainable agricultural practices, which conserve water and maximize soil health. Your donation will fight the climate crisis and invest in a brighter future for the world.
29. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Support the life-saving research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with your donation. This organization provides resources to help doctors discover vital treatments to end childhood cancer. Your essential gift will assist families with medical bills, fund research and cover instrumental needs of the organization. If you’re searching for school fundraising ideas or community service ideas, raising money for this charity is an excellent way to make a transformative impact on child healthcare.
Best Charities To Donate To FAQs
What Charity Gives The Most To Their Cause?
Which is the best charity to support? There are numerous charities accepting donations, but it’s essential to evaluate which ones are the most credible. Several foundations exist to verify a charity’s credibility, ensuring they operate under ethical standards. Consumer Reports combined the results of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch and Charity Navigator to determine the charities that give the most to their causes, organized by category. American Humane Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Earthworks are three of the charities that these groups determined contribute the most to their causes.
Which Charity Helps The Poor The Most?
CharityWatch lists both Action Against Hunger and Feed My Starving Children for their ethical and driven efforts to alleviate poverty worldwide. Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) and Coalition for the Homeless also had high scores on CharityWatch for addressing housing inequalities.
What Are The Worst Charities To Donate To?
Unfortunately, many scams disguise themselves as charities. Be wary of crowdfunding websites that attempt to raise money. In 2017, a GoFundMe campaign raised thousands of dollars to support a homeless veteran who gave his last $20 to help a stranded motorist. Months later, the owners of the campaign were sued for mismanaging the funds. This story serves as a cautionary tale, empowering individuals to research a cause before donating their hard-earned money. However, websites like CharityWatch can easily help you verify the validity of a foundation.
The best charities to donate to are transparent about how they spend your contributions and follow ethical standards in managing their donations. Whether you’d like to donate to support life-saving treatments for childhood cancer or you want to start a fundraiser to help disaster victims, there are tons of charities you can donate to in assisting their cause. From giving a one-time gift to contributing monthly, giving to charity is a great way to make a resounding difference in the world and invest in a brighter future.
For even more fun ideas to give back to your community, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
