If you’re seeking out a list of nonprofit organizations — we’ve got you covered.
At Good Good Good, we share positive news and resources about people making a difference in the world. We’ve interviewed hundreds of activists and nonprofit leaders — and reported on thousands of organizations filling the world with more good. As a humanitarian photographer, I’ve personally spent thousands of hours documenting and covering nonprofits on six continents.
And so, the Good Good Good team and I were excited to get to highlight inspiring and world-changing organizations in this article.
While no list can be completely comprehensive, our team has worked to ensure this list is incredibly thorough — curated based on impact.
This article is broken down into the following sections: Animals | Arts | Civics | Conservation | Justice | Disability | Disaster | Education | Environment | Food | Gun Safety | Health | Housing | Human Rights | Human Trafficking | International Aid | Journalism | LGBTQ+ | Mental Health | Nonprofit Support | Poverty | Race | Refugees | Sports | Tech | Veterans | Women | Youth
Some organizations appear twice, when they make a significant impact in more than one category. And when relevant, we’ve included links to inspiring stories about the organization.
Your Guide To Great Nonprofit Organizations To Support
Animal Welfare
These organizations work to protect animals from harm, advocating for their rights and promoting humane treatment across society.
15/10 Foundation
Read a good news article about how the popular WeRateDogs account makes a difference for dogs in need
Alley Cat Allies
Animal Legal Defense Fund
ASPCA
Best Friends Animal Society
The Humane Society of the United States
Lil BUB’s Big Fund
Read a good news article about Lil BUB and other pet influencers that give back
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary
Praline’s Backyard Foundation
Read a good news article about this organization — and other organizations — that help dogs when their owners are in need
Project Street Vet
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about animals
Arts and Culture
These groups promote and preserve arts and culture. They foster creativity and cultural appreciation in communities across the world.
Black Artists & Designers Guild
Creative Commons
Fandom Forward
Foundation to Decrease World Suck
Read all of Good Good Good’s coverage on FTDWS founders Hank and John Green
Narratio
NPR
PBS
PEN America
Smithsonian
StoryCorps
TED
Read Good Good Good’s coverage from this year’s TED conference
Women Make Movies
Women of Color Unite
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about art and creativity
Civic Engagement
These organizations strive to foster active citizenship and community involvement. They aim to strengthen democracy, promote civil discourse, and facilitate public participation in community decision-making.
Ballotpedia
Bend the Arc
Brennan Center
Equal Vote Coalition
FairVote
Headcount
The Obama Foundation
Rock the Vote
She Should Run
We the Veterans
When We All Vote
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about politics & democracy
Conservation & Wildlife
Focused on the environment and its diverse species, these organizations work towards preserving wildlife and their habitats.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Read a good news article about mountain gorilla populations rebounding
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Greenpeace International
IFAW
Jane Goodall Institute
Read and share the best quotes from Jane Goodall
Keep America Beautiful
National Audubon Society
National Park Foundation
Ocean Conservancy
Panthera
Read a good news article about how synthetic furs are saving African leopards
Sierra Club
The World Wide Fund for Nature
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about the environment
Criminal Justice Reform
These organizations are at the forefront of advocating for fair and effective criminal justice policies. They fight against systemic injustices, championing for legal reforms, rehabilitation programs, and an end to mass incarceration.
Clean Slate Initiative
Read a good news article about how Clean Slate Initiative aims to automatically clear records for 14 million people
Equal Justice Initiative
Read and share the best quotes from Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson
FreeWorld
Read a good news article about how FreeWorld founder Jason Wang committed to ending prison recidivism after he left prison
Innocence Project
Last Prisoner Project
The Marshall Project
NICJR
The Sentencing Project
USD Center for Restorative Justice
Disability Support & Advocacy
These groups strive to support individuals with disabilities, advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and societal inclusion.
Adaptive Climbing Group
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Disability Rights Fund
Disabled Hikers
Harper’s Playground
Listen to our podcast interview with the Harper’s Playground founder about why he was inspired to start the nonprofit
High Fives Foundation
New Disabled South
Wounded Warrior Project
Disaster Relief
These humanitarian groups provide immediate aid and long-term support to communities hit by natural disasters or crises. Their work spans emergency relief, rehabilitation efforts, and building resilience against future disasters.
CARE
FealGood Foundation
GoFundMe.org
Mercy Corps
Project HOPE
Team Rubicon
Education
Focused on promoting access to quality education for all, these organizations support students and classrooms from the school down the street to communities on the other side of the globe.
AdoptAClassroom.org
CAMFED
Read a good news article about how this NGO aims to educate 5 million girls by 2030
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Read and share Dolly Parton’s most famous quotes
DonorsChoose
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Malala Fund
Read and share Malala Yousafzai’s most famous quotes
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
Room to Read
Teach For America
Teaching for Change
These Numbers Have Faces
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about education
Environment
These groups work to protect and preserve the environment, championing efforts towards sustainable practices and climate change mitigation. Many of them take an intersectional approach to their advocacy.
Arbor Day Foundation
The Climate Reality Project
Earthjustice
Global Fishing Watch
Honor the Earth
Intersectional Environmentalist
Read about the history of intersectional environmentalism and read our interview with Intersectional Environmentalist founder Leah Thomas
NRDC
Oceana
The Ocean Cleanup
Ocean Conservancy
The Outdoorist Oath
Rewiring America
The Solutions Project
Read a good news article about how this organization equips frontline communities fighting for environmental & racial justice
Sunrise Movement
Surfrider Foundation
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about the environment
Food Security
Working to combat hunger, these organizations strive to ensure everyone has equitable access to nutritious and sufficient food.
Action Against Hunger
City Harvest
Feeding America
Heart of Dinner
Read a good news article about how AAPI women are helping feed East Asian elders
Meals on Wheels America
No Kid Hungry
World Central Kitchen
Read and share the best quotes from World Central Kitchen founder Chef José Andrés
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about food
Gun Safety
These groups advocate for responsible gun ownership and policies that aim to reduce gun violence and accidents.
Brady Center
Change the Ref
Read a good news article about The Yellow Bus Project — a recent campaign from Change the Ref
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund
Giffords
RAWtools
Read a good news article about this organization that turns guns into garden tools
The Rebels Project
Sandy Hook Promise
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about gun violence prevention
Health
These organizations focus on promoting health, conducting research, funding medical care, and providing healthcare services for a wide array of health-related issues.
American Red Cross
Carter Center
Read Jimmy Carter’s most famous quotes about health and justice
The DIVA Foundation
Dollar For
Indigenous Women Rising
Mercy Ships
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
National Network of Abortion Funds
Partners In Health
Read the best quotes about justice and global health from PIH founder Paul Farmer
Planned Parenthood
RIP Medical Debt
Read a good news article about how RIP Medical Debt has wiped out more than $6.7 billion in medical debt
Upstream USA
Read a good news article about how Upstream USA trains primary care doctors to offer contraceptive care to all
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about health
Homelessness & Housing
Working towards secure and affordable housing for all, these organizations offer services for homeless individuals, work for better access to housing, and advocate for policy reform.
Covenant House
Habitat for Humanity
Lotus Campaign
Love Beyond Walls
National Alliance to End Homelessness
National Network for Youth
New Story
Listen to our podcast interview with New Story founder Brett Hagler about using innovation to end global homelessness
Project HOME
Transition Projects
True Colors United
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about housing
Human Rights & Civil Liberties
These groups fight to protect and promote human rights and civil liberties, pushing back against discrimination and injustice through advocacy and the legal system.
ACLU
The Carter Center
Front Line Defenders
Human Rights Watch
Native American Rights Fund
National Women’s Law Center
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about human rights
Human Trafficking & Exploitation Prevention
These organizations strive to combat human trafficking and exploitation, providing victim support and working towards prevention.
Atlas Free
Dressember
Read a good news article about how a community is using dresses to fight human trafficking
The Exodus Road
Human Trafficking Institute
International Justice Mission
Love146
Polaris Project
Thistle Farms
Thorn
Read a good news article about how Ashton Kutcher’s tech-led nonprofit is fighting child sex trafficking
Truckers Against Trafficking
International Aid
These organizations provide essential assistance to communities outside of their home country, addressing issues like poverty, health, education, and disaster relief on a global scale.
CARE
charity: water
Read a good news article about how these inspiring kids are raising money for charity: water
Fund For the Global Fund
Explore Good Good Good’s curated guide to the best products that give back to the Global Fund — through (RED)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Rescue Committee
Liberty in North Korea
Read a good news article about how this nonprofit is providing hope for North Korean refugees
Project HOPE
UNICEF
World Food Programme
World Vision International
Journalism & Information
These groups support the field of journalism and promote the free flow of information as a cornerstone of a democratic society.
The 19th
American Oversight
Committee to Protect Journalists
Creative Commons
Grist
High Country News
Institute for Nonprofit News
The Marshall Project
The News Literacy Project
Our World in Data
Rebuild Local News
Solutions Journalism Network
ProPublica
Wikipedia
LGBTQ+ Support
These organizations work to support and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community.
Audre Lorde Project
Read and share these inspiring quotes from Audre Lorde
Encircle
For The Gworls
GLAAD
GLSEN
Human Rights Campaign
Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Read and share Marsha P. Johnson’s most famous quotes
National Center for Trans Equality
Point of Pride
Rainbow Railroad
Read about this organization that helps LGBTQ+ refugees seek asylum in safe countries
SAGE
Trans Lifeline
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
The Trevor Project
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about the LGBTQ+ community
Mental Health
These groups focus on supporting mental health, offering support services, creating educational materials, advocating for patients’ rights, and working to remove societal stigmas.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Asian Mental Health Collective
The Confess Project of America
Read this good news article about the barbers helping Black men talk about mental health
Crisis Text Line
Read this article from the Chief Program Officer at Crisis Text Line about how asking hard questions can save a life
The Jed Foundation
The Loveland Foundation
Explore Good Good Good’s guide to mental health apps and resources supporting Black Americans
Made of Millions Foundation
Learn about how to honor OCD Awareness Week — with advice from Made of Millions
Promise Resource Network
Read a good news article about the first peer-run respite center in North Carolina
Mental Health America
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Peace of Mind Foundation
Project LETS
Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance
Trans Lifeline
The Trevor Project
To Write Love On Her Arms
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about mental health
Nonprofit Support
These organizations provide various forms of support to other nonprofit entities, enhancing their ability to grow and capacity to serve communities more effectively.
Develop for Good
Listen to our podcast interview with the founder of Develop for Good about how they empower people to help nonprofits through tech
Giving Tuesday
Explore Good Good Good’s guide on how to celebrate Giving Tuesday
Fast Forward
Plywood People
Poverty Alleviation
Focused on eliminating poverty, these groups provide direct assistance, create economic opportunities, and work on policy reform — both in the United States and around the world.
American Jewish World Service
The Borgen Project
CARE
Compassion International
GiveDirectly
Global Citizen
Kiva
ONE
Oxfam
Save the Children
World Vision
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about economics
Racial Justice
These organizations strive to fight against racism and work towards achieving racial justice and equality in society.
The Audre Lorde Project
Center for Antiracist Research
Color of Change
Colorlines
Equal Justice Initiative
The King Center
Read and share the best quotes from Coretta Scott King and Bernice King
Know Your Rights Camp
NAACP
Stop AAPI Hate
UnidosUS
Very Asian Foundation
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about racial justice
Refugee & Immigrant Support
These groups offer support and advocacy for refugees and immigrants, assisting with resettlement, legal aid, and integration into new communities.
Catholic Charities
Episcopal Migration Ministries
HIAS
Immigration Equality
International Rescue Committee
Liberty in North Korea
Read a good news article about how this nonprofit is providing hope for North Korean refugees
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
#MeWeIntl
Narratio
Project Citizenship
RAICES
Rainbow Railroad
Read a good news article about how this organization that helps LGBTQ+ refugees seek asylum in safe countries
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Welcome.US
World Relief
→ Explore this guide to local refugee organizations you can support in all 50 states
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about refugees
Sports and Recreation
These organizations promote sports and recreation activities for community engagement, personal development, and physical health.
Birdability
Black Outside
Campfire Institute
I AM ADAPTIVE
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about sports
Technological Advancement
These groups are dedicated to fostering innovation and technological advancement, offering educational programs and driving research initiatives.
Black Sisters in STEM
Girls in Tech
Global Fishing Watch
Project CETI
The SpaceKind Foundation
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about tech & innovation
Veterans’ Services
These organizations provide a range of services for veterans, offering support for their unique needs, from housing and employment to mental health care. Many also empower veterans to give back to communities using their unique skillsets.
Bunker Labs
CreatiVets
Listen to our podcast interview with Richard Casper about how he founded CreatiVets to help veterans like him
Force Blue
Read a good news article about how Force Blue empowers combat diving veterans to care for our oceans
Minority Veterans of America
Save A Suit
Read a good news article about how Save A Suit empowers veterans through professional clothing
Team Rubicon
Vet Voice Foundation
The Veterans Art Project
Warrior Dog Foundation
Wounded Warrior Project
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about veterans
→ Read and share this guide on how to celebrate Veterans Day
Women’s Empowerment
These organizations work to empower women, advocating for gender equality, women’s rights, and against gender-based discrimination.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
The Brigid Alliance
Dress For Success
Listen to our podcast conversation with Nancy Lublin about why she founded Dress For Success
Girls, Inc.
Girls Not Brides
Global Fund for Women
Hot Bread Kitchen
Malala Fund
Read and share the best quotes from Malala Yousafzai
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
National Network of Abortion Funds
National Women’s Law Center
Planned Parenthood
She Should Run
→ Read all of Good Good Good’s good news articles about women
Youth Support
These groups are dedicated to supporting youth through various initiatives, such as education, mentorship, health, recreation, and advocating for children’s rights.
Black Outside
Campfire Institute
Days for Girls
Doug the Pug Foundation
Read the good news article about how this pet influencer is giving back to children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses
Fred Rogers Productions
Read and share the best quotes from Mister Rogers
Girl Scouts
Girls Who Code
Happy Hippie Foundation
Harper’s Playground
Listen to our podcast with the founder and executive director of Harper’s Playground
Kids Boost
Listen to our podcast conversation about this nonprofit that helps kids grow $100 into thousands for charity
Make-A-Wish America
National 4-H Council
National FFA Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Charities
UNICEF
Where To Discover & Learn More About 501(c)(3) Organizations
Though we’ve curated and highlighted more than 200 nonprofits in this list, we’ve barely scratched the surface of impactful organizations. Below are some resources for you to discover more nonprofits — and to also verify the effectiveness of each.
- Charity Navigator runs a fantastic tool that organizes and objectively rates nonprofits based on set criteria. They use nonprofit organizations’ required financial statements to assess trustworthiness, efficiency, and effectiveness.
- Similarly, Candid has a number of resources (like GuideStar and Foundation Directory) to help you learn about nonprofits. (These require creating an account — but they’re mostly free to use.)
- You can verify that any organization is a registered 501(c)(3) — or a 501(c)(4) — via the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tool.
- Some types organizations are disproportionately underfunded — and thus, will benefit more from your donation or support. Giving Gap has compiled data around how Black-founded nonprofits are underfunded — and also curated a list of Black-founded nonprofits to support. Similarly, studies have shown that environmental nonprofits receive less than 2% of charitable dollars. Organizations like 1% for the Planet are trying to change that.
