Almost immediately following the election, my news feeds and everyday conversations became populated with what I call “the Bad Feeling.” The holidays may have provided a momentary distraction, but, with Inauguration Day looming, it’s back with a vengeance. Donald Trump will soon be the president of the United States, and though the consistency of his policies is shaky (at best), it seems like any number of apocalyptic futures might be possible. The Bad Feeling is nebulous. The Bad Feeling inspires both anger and dread.
But it has also galvanized us into action. A record number of people have turned out to protest, many for the first time. We’ve taken to the streets and opened our wallets. Yet, for those new to all of this, it can be hard to know where to start.
Donating to national organizations, like the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, is a great way to get involved. But funding for local, issue-specific agencies and local action are what’s really needed. Local organizations are often small and underfunded, though they do vital work directly within vulnerable communities and are often led by members of the same community. Supporting existing organizations that have a proven track record of working directly on issues—whether that’s providing services to individuals or lobbying for policy change—is crucial to ensuring that the fight for equality and positive change continues. Here’s how to join in:
Give Skills
Nothing beats putting your money where your mouth is, but you can also volunteer your time and skill set in a way that can be both impactful and empowering. Get started by identifying a local nonprofit, getting in touch, and asking about their specific needs. If you have particular skills or talents (such as coding or fluency in another language), mention them, because they might be of use. Many organizations need help with outreach and administrative work, but if you have a legal background, for example, you can offer pro bono legal services. And if you have free nights or weekends, getting trained to cover overnight shifts at your local antiviolence program’s crisis hotline could be an option.
Use VolunteerMatch.org to find a place near you if you need a push in the right direction. If you’re a white person interested in helping fight for racial justice, you can look up your local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). Or you can find your local chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and volunteer. If you’re interested in defending the rights and safety of LGBTQ folks near you, check out the National Coalition of Anti-violence Programs (NCAVP) for a local organization in need of volunteers.
Give Local
If you can’t volunteer, consider donating money. Even if it’s not very much, when you give local, your dollar goes far. Local organizations are always in need of funding, because bigger, shinier national organizations (with larger megaphones) often get the lion’s share of donations. Your donation will support staff, provide infrastructure—it can literally help keep the lights on—and allow important, community-based programs near you to continue. It’s a surefire, fail-proof way to contribute to a cause you care about. (Plus, a donation to a local organization demonstrates your willingness to engage locally, which is critical to community building.)
As just one example, check out the National Network of Abortion Funds to see where you can financially support people who need help funding a crucial reproductive right.
Give Wisely
It’s important to vet a charity or nonprofit organization so you know exactly where your money is going. Request a copy of their annual report (called a 990) to see how their donations are allocated. Take a look at their program spending versus the amount spent on professional fundraisers and executive compensation. You want to donate to a place where the largest percentage of your donation will go directly to programs.
ProPublica has a great resource, Nonprofit Explorer, which can help you identify where you want your donation to go. Other places to check out: GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch.
Give Nationally
You can always give nationally, too. Here’s a list of organizations with proven track records that focus on the issues and making their contributions impactful:
Trans Lifeline is a crisis hotline for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Campaign Zero focuses on ending police violence.
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is the nation’s largest Mexican-American legal organization.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project is a legal organization that provides services to transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is a national antisexual assault organization.
Southern Poverty Law Center works to combat hate groups.
Council on American-Islamic Relations combats Islamophobia by challenging stereotypes of the Muslim community
Immigration Equality works on immigration justice, particularly in the LGBTQ community.
Native American Rights Fund is a nonprofit that works to support Native American rights.
The Sierra Club is a policy-focused environmental protection organization.
