Disclaimer: This post is reflective of our company while under the name Pledgeling and the listed information may be outdated. Please refer to our main company website on Pledge for current information and resources.
Happy September! Can you believe we are already this far into 2020? We can’t either! Here is your monthly guide of nonprofits that you and your business can support as a way to commemorate some of these special dates. Our platform and tools make it easy to donate to any cause of your choice. To connect with our partnerships team about ways we might support your cause campaigns, please reach out to impact@pledgeling.com.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of fourteen. September is dedicated to raising awareness around childhood cancer and supporting families and children who face a cancer diagnosis.
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital advances cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of their founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family's ability to pay. In fact, patients treated at St. Jude never receive a bill for their medical services.
- St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.
- Nate’s Wish provides encouragement to children newly diagnosed with cancer through the gift of Nate’s Wish packs. The gifts included in Nate’s Wish packs have been selected to give comfort, words of encouragement, and needed distraction from battling cancer.
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society designated September as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. You can support them in their fight and mission below.
- The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) exists to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Today, LLS is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
We join the rest of the country in commemorating Hispanic-American individuals who have made a positive impact and left a lasting legacy on the culture and history of the United States. The following nonprofits work to uplift Hispanic communities.
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the premier science-based and community-driven organization that focuses on the best health for all. Community-based members provide services to more than 15 million Hispanics throughout the U.S. every year.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Latino students, as well as related support services. HSF seeks to give students all the tools they need to apply to college, do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor generations to come.
- Hispanic Federation works to uplift millions of Hispanic children, youth and families locally and nationally through the strengthening of Latino nonprofits, public policy advocacy and a portfolio of innovative community programs.
International Day of Charity (September 5)
This day was created by the United Nations to recognize the critical role of charity in improving the state of the world. The UN encourages activities on this day that raise awareness, education, and donations for charitable efforts. At Pledgeling, nonprofit and charitable organizations are at the heart of what we do and inspire us everyday. Pledgeling’s database includes over 2MM+ nonprofit and charitable organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Our charity search API enables businesses of all types to integrate and launch a charitable giving program that aligns with any cause(s) of their choice. To explore our database of causes, visit https://www.pledgeling.com/causes.
International Literacy Day (September 8)
According to the United Nations, 773 million adults and young people lack basic literacy skills (2019). The ability to read and write remains an important, global initiative and a key part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4).
- Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, they develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
- Reading to Kids is dedicated to inspiring underserved children at eight different elementary schools with a love of reading here in Los Angeles, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for success in the future. At the monthly reading clubs, pairs of volunteers read aloud to small groups of children, while their parents receive training on how to encourage their children to read at home.
- Literacy Partners believes that the ability to read is an essential element of an enriched and fulfilling life. Their high quality, community-based literacy programs in New York City empower adults to reach their full potential as individuals, parents, and citizens.
World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10)
This is a crucial awareness day in a worldwide effort to prevent suicide. Check out the following nonprofits who work towards fulfilling this global mission.
- Project Semicolon is an organization dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Their work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. They save lives by raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.
- The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential Lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy.
International Day of Peace (September 21)
Established in 1981 by the United Nations, this is a day to focus on how we can reconcile our differences and aim for a more harmonious, global community. Along with supporting the following nonprofits, you can observe the tradition of participating in a minute of silence on this day at noon in all time zones.
- Better World Fund builds and implements public-private partnerships to address the world's most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach.
- Relief International provides emergency relief, rehabilitation and development assistance to victims of natural disasters and civil conflicts worldwide. Their programs are designed with the input and participation of target beneficiary groups such as women, children and the elderly, whose special needs are often neglected in disasters.
- International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over forty countries and twenty-two U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.
National Voter Registration Day (September 22)
According to the official National Voter Registration Day website, 60% of eligible voters are never asked to register. Voting is a right all American citizens should practice and making sure you are registered is a great place to start. To ensure everyone can cast their ballot this upcoming election, consider supporting the following nonprofits who focus on voters’ rights.
- Rock the Vote engages young people in our democracy and builds their political power by registering, educating, and turning them out to vote, by asking candidates to campaign to them, and demanding politicians pay attention to youth and the issues they care about once in office.
- Vote Riders is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to ensure that all citizens are able to exercise their right to vote. They help inform citizens to secure their voter ID as well as inspire and support on-the-ground organizations, local volunteers, and communities to sustain voter ID education and assistance efforts.
- Project Vote is a national and non-partisan organization dedicated to the belief that an organized, diverse electorate is the key to a better America. Since 1994, Project Vote has worked to increase civic participation in the United States, focusing on three historically underrepresented constituencies: youth, people of color, and lower-income Americans.
Lastly, we want to continue recognizing how Racial Justice and COVID-19 remain important causes to support:
- For a more comprehensive list of 20+ organizations fighting for racial and social justice, please visit this link.
- For a more comprehensive list of 20+ organizations fighting against COVID-19, please visit our Causes to Support in June 2020 Blog Post and our COVID-19 Relief Efforts Blog Post.
Thank you for being part of the #PledgeToDoGood!