Giving season is officially upon us and this year feels like another unprecedented time for our local nonprofits looking to assist with our community’s greatest needs. If you’re having a tough time deciding which nonprofits to give back to this holiday season, look no further than our roundup of 24 local nonprofits to support this Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season!
100 Black Men of Orange County
The 100 Black Men of Orange County strive to empower the African American community by providing focused, effective, and participatory leadership that improves public policy and enhances the overall education, quality of life, and the social and economic status of underrepresented groups in our communities. Learn more about their work here.
American Red Cross of Orange County
The American Red Cross of Orange County serves 34 cities and 3.1 million people with immediate emergency relief and humanitarian work. This Giving Tuesday, you can donate, volunteer or start an online fundraiser here.
Animal Assistance League of Orange County
Animal Assistance League of Orange County is a non-profit no kill humane society dedicated to aiding lost and homeless pets, helping people with pet related problems, promoting responsible pet-ownership and pet population control, and preventing cruelty to animals through educational programs. Learn how you can support this organization here.
Arts Orange County
Arts Orange County is the independent nonprofit arts council for Orange County and is dedicated to sustaining, strengthening, and advancing its creative ecology. Learn more about how you can support the arts in Orange County here this Giving Tuesday and year round.
Be Well OC
Be Well OC is a community of caregivers coming together in common purpose to positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of all in Orange County. To get involved, learn more here.
Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Orange Coast
Serving Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Orange, and Santa Ana, the Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Orange Coast works to ensure every child has mentors and champions in life through its youth programs. Learn how you can donate or volunteer here.
CHOC Foundation
CHOC improves the health and well-being of children through clinical expertise, advocacy, outreach, education, and research. With local events throughout Orange County including the Annual CHOC Classic and the Virtual CHOC Walk in the Park, there are numerous ways to support CHOC. Learn more about how to get involved here.
Community Legal Aid SoCal
Community Legal Aid SoCal is dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income people throughout Orange and Southeast Los Angeles Counties. With an emphasis on innovation and language access, and a holistic approach to client care, they support clients with affordable and pro bono legal counsel, workshops, and policy advocacy. Donate here.
Laura’s House
Over the past 24 years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and supportive services to more than 5,000 abused women, men, and children, plus counseling, life skills education, and legal advocacy to over 55,000 persons across Orange County and beyond. Learn how to support Laura’s house here.
LGBTQ Center OC
The LGBTQ Center OC was established as a volunteer organization in 1971 and advocates for the well-being and positive identity of the Orange County LGBTQ community by strengthening youth, improving health outcomes, and advocating for social justice. Learn more about supporting the LGBTQ Center here.
Illumination Foundation
Illumination Foundation provides targeted, interdisciplinary services for the most vulnerable adults and children living without permanent housing in Orange County in order to disrupt the cycle of homelessness. More than 55,000 people experience homeless in Southern California each year – 32,000 children are part of that number. Learn how you can get involved here.
OC Black Chamber
Founded in 1984, the OC Black Chamber advocates and promotes Black business and economic development within the public and private sectors, resulting in a sound economic base that supports the survival and self-determination of the African-American community. Learn more about advocating and promoting Black business and economic development here.
OC Human Relations
OC Human Relations develops and implements proactive human relations programs in partnership with schools, corporations, cities, foundations, and individuals. OC Human Relations provides an award-winning inter-group and violence prevention program in the schools, and conflict resolution programs and inter-group relations initiatives in the communities all over Orange County. Learn how to support their important work here.
Orange County Heritage Council
Orange County Heritage Council (OCHC) is a group of dedicated community volunteers focused on the Black community and development of events and activities that promote positive family and cultural interaction. For over 40 years, they’ve produced one of Orange County’s most electrifying cultural parades every year in Anaheim, the Orange County Black History Parade & Unity Festival. Learn how to support their mission here.
Orange County Latino Giving Circle
The Orange County Latino Giving Circle, part of the Latino Community Foundation, is one of the highest concentrated regions of Latinos in California, mobilizing resources to organizations supporting Latino families across Orange County. Learn how to join their efforts here.
Orange County Veterans & Military Families Collaborative
The Orange County Veterans & Military Families Collaborative (OCVMFC) serves as a bridge connecting veterans, active duty and reserve service members, and military family members to quality resources, benefits, services, and opportunities within Orange County. This Giving Tuesday, learn more here.
Orangewood Foundation
Orangewood Foundation serves current and former foster youth in Orange County. They help almost 2,000 foster and community youth annually prepare for independent adulthood through health and wellness, housing, life skills, and employment and education services. Learn how you can support here.
Patriots and Paws
Patriots and Paws works to provide veterans, active duty military, reservists, and their families basic home furnishings for newly acquired residences. Additionally, Patriots and Paws works to match veterans, active duty military, and reservists with a rescued companionship animal. Learn more about Patriots and Paws here.
Restaurants Care
Restaurants Care is an established, non-profit program of the California Restaurant Foundation. We provide direct financial relief to restaurant workers facing unforeseen hardship. Since 1981, the California Restaurant Foundation has been cooking up stronger communities in California by investing in the people at the heart of our restaurant industry. Learn more or support Restaurants Care here.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
The mission of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is simple: To end hunger in Orange County. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County provides reliable and dignified access to sufficient nutritious foods and is dedicated to creating a community where all can thrive. Learn how to donate, volunteer, or get involved here.
Southern California Indian Center, Inc.
The goals of Southern California Indian Center, Inc. (SCIC) are to promote social and economic self-sufficiency for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people. SCIS is hosting a Winter Celebration Community Giving Day at the Native American United Methodist Church in Anaheim. Learn more about SCIC and how you can support here.
Think Together
Think Together is an education nonprofit working to change the odds for kids living in underserved communities through equitable education and enrichment opportunities that set kids up for a successful path toward college and career. Support their end-of-year giving campaign, Light the Way, here.
WISEPlace
WISEPlace is a Santa Ana-based transitional and emergency shelter for unaccompanied women providing housing solutions and empowering wrap-around services that provide a path toward personal self-reliance. Learn how to support their mission here.
Working Wardrobes
Since 1990 Working Wardrobes has served over 100,000 clients who have overcome difficult challenges on their journey to meaningful employment, including substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, homelessness, and military to civilian transition. Learn how to get involved here.
Even if you don’t have the means to give a monetary gift this year for Giving Tuesday or beyond, many nonprofits are now accepting goods and recruiting volunteers despite some organizations needing to pause due to COVID-19. There are countless nonprofits located in Orange County supporting the surrounding community.
Click here for more ideas of ways to give back this Giving Tuesday and holiday season. Have more suggestions for this list? Let us know in a comment below!
