12 Impactful Organizations to Support This Giving Tuesday (For People, Animals & the Planet)

Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to generosity—whether that means donating to a nonprofit you love, volunteering your time, or simply brightening someone’s day with kindness. Since its start in 2012, the movement has grown to more than 150 participating countries, proving how powerful collective giving can be.

And with so many incredible organizations doing meaningful work, choosing where to donate can feel overwhelming. To help you decide, I’ve rounded up 12 trusted organizations—some well known, others wonderfully under-the-radar—that are creating real change for animals, people, communities, and the planet.

Explore them below and consider supporting one (or a few!) this Giving Tuesday.

🐾 SHELTER & RESCUE ANIMALS

Friends to the Forlorn

Friends to the Forlorn is a volunteer-run Georgia-based pit bull rescue focused on responsible ownership, breed education, spay/neuter support, community outreach, and saving dogs who need it most. Founder Jason Flatt is also building one of the first pit bull sanctuaries in the country. Support their lifesaving work.

Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends is the leading national organization working to end the killing of shelter pets by 2025. They partner with thousands of shelters and rescues, support community cat programs, fight puppy mills, and advocate for lifesaving, high-transparency shelter practices. Donate to help Save Them All®.

🐄 FARM ANIMALS

Farm of the Free

A growing farm sanctuary in Georgia, Farm of the Free creates a safe haven for cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and factory farming. They also focus on community education, compassion, and creating a kinder food system. Support their expanding sanctuary.

Full Circle Farm Sanctuary

Located in Georgia, Full Circle provides lifelong refuge to rescued farm animals while educating the public about compassion, animal welfare, and plant-powered living through tours, volunteer days, and events. Support their residents and programs.

👧 CHILDREN, HEALTH & EDUCATION

Balanced

Balanced works with parents, schools, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to improve the quality of food served in institutions—especially schools. Their focus: more fiber, nutrient-dense plant foods, and protein diversity (plants!) to support children’s long-term health. Support their food-system advocacy. 

6. EPIC Outreach

EPIC Outreach inspires empathy and compassion through humane education, community programs, and storytelling focused on animals, people, and the planet. Their goal: a kinder world built through education and connection.

Support their compassionate mission.

🦉 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

Australia’s Koala Hospital provides rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term care for koalas threatened by habitat loss, climate-driven wildfires, and disease. They also lead conservation and reforestation efforts to protect the species.

Support koala conservation.

International Fund for Animal Welfare

IFAW tackles global challenges affecting wildlife—from elephant poaching and marine mammal rescues to climate threats and habitat destruction. Their bold, science-backed approach helps animals, people, and ecosystems thrive.

Donate to support wildlife protection.

🌍 PLANET, CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY

Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization dedicated to using the power of the law to protect people’s health, preserve wildlife, safeguard wild places, and accelerate the shift to clean energy. They represent communities—especially those disproportionately impacted by pollution—at no cost, taking on fossil-fuel giants, fighting toxic chemical exposure, protecting endangered species, and advancing climate solutions nationwide.

Support their fight for environmental justice and a livable planet.

Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth is a global environmental organization fighting for a healthier, more just world. They work on climate policy, environmental justice, biodiversity protection, eliminating toxic chemicals, and advocating for sustainable food systems.

Support their climate and justice mission.

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance partners with forest communities, small farmers, and global companies to protect forests, improve rural livelihoods, and build climate resiliency. Their frog-seal certification helps consumers choose products that support both people and nature. Donate to help protect forests and wildlife.

Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd defends marine wildlife using direct-action campaigns aimed at stopping illegal fishing, ending habitat destruction, and safeguarding fragile ocean ecosystems. Their work protects whales, dolphins, sharks, and countless marine species.

Support ocean protection.

Ripples of Good This Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday reminds us that generosity—whether with our time, our money, or our kindness—creates tangible, meaningful change. And supporting organizations who work tirelessly for animals, people, and the planet ensures that your impact grows far beyond this one day.

Whether you contribute to an environmental law warrior, a sanctuary giving a rescued animal a second chance, or a nonprofit improving kids’ health and school food, your support helps build a healthier, kinder, more sustainable world.

If a cause here speaks to your heart, consider giving today. Even the smallest contribution helps create ripples of good.