Easy Ways to Get Involved During Military Appreciation Month

With the beginning of May right around the corner, we’re looking ahead to Military Appreciation Month. This month is set aside to recognize the service and sacrifice of the many brave men and women who protect and have protected our liberties.

This May, thank an active duty service member or veteran for their time in the service. Show that you appreciate the sacrifices they’re making to keep you safe. We’re sharing a few ideas on how to do this...

Fun Ways to Get Involved this Arbor Day!

Communities across the country will observe Arbor Day this weekend. This day, begun in the United States more than 130 years ago, is a time to recognize the important role trees plays in our environment and plant more trees in our neighborhoods for future generations to enjoy.

Let Arbor Day be your reason to get outside this weekend. Check out these fun ideas to celebrate this day with your family or friends.

Charity Navigator's Cross-Country Tour: Kansas

Each week, Charity Navigator features a few of the highly-rated charities serving the people and communities in one of the 50 states. Today, we’re moving west from Indiana to Kansas, in the Great Plains.

Kansas, also known as the Sunflower State, epitomizes the American Heartland with seemingly endless landscapes of fields and rolling hills. It is also home to more than fifty 3- and 4-star organizations that are having an impact on Kansans, the state's cities and towns, and the world beyond them. Keep reading to learn about a few of these great charities.

Best Zoos & Aquariums on World Penguin Day

Today is World Penguin Day!

Show your love for our favorite tuxedo-ed friends by supporting a highly-rated zoo or aquarium known for its penguin conservation. Find a few of them here or use Charity Navigator to find an organization near you.

Charity Navigator's Top 10 Charities with Perfect Scores (Vol. 2)

Each week, Charity Navigator highlights a list of ten exceptional charities that are hard at work on a particular cause or issue. 

Today, we’re featuring ten of the charities who have earned perfect scores from Charity Navigator. This is no small feat. These organizations are effectively achieving their missions while remaining committed to the highest standards for financial health and accountability and transparency.

Easy Ways to Celebrate World Book Day

Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Book Day celebrates books as “a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures…”

More than 100 countries around the world participate in World Book Day and linking children and families to one another through books and literacy. In honor of this special day, Charity Navigator is sharing some easy ways you can get involved in sharing books and a love of reading in your community and across the globe.

Easy Ways to Get Involved on Earth Day

On Sunday, April 22, the United States will observe Earth Day. Founded in 1970, by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, this day is set apart to recognize the importance of environmental protection and participate in small acts of service to keep our Earth and environment clean and healthy.

Countries around the world participate in Earth Day (or Earth Week) events. Each year, the Earth Day Network organizes activities around a new theme. This year’s theme is End Plastic Pollution and the Network is encouraging individuals and communities to participate in recycling events and make pledges to reduce their plastic usage. Keep reading for more ways to get involved in Earth Day 2018.

Charity Navigator's Cross-Country Tour: Iowa

Each week, Charity Navigator "stops" in a new state to feature some of the highly-rated charities at work there. Over the last few weeks, we've explored much of the Midwest and that doesn't stop today. Our tour takes us to what much of the country sees as the land of corn: Iowa.

While Iowa is home to plains and vast expanses of farmland, it also claims more than 40 highly-rated organizations. Learn more about a few of them here.

Does a Charity Really Want Your Old Clunker?

You’ve probably heard the jingle. You know, the catchy one about donating your old car to help kids in need. Or, perhaps you’ve heard a pitch on your local public radio station to support them by donating your used vehicle. They claim it doesn’t even need to run, but how can that be? Can that old clunker leaking oil in your driveway really do some good? 

Donating an old or unwanted vehicle can do good for your favorite organization. But, it’s important to do your homework before you drive it, tow it, push it, or have it dropped off on the charity’s doorstep. Keep reading to learn more.

Charity Navigator's Outstanding Arts Organizations

Each week, Charity Navigator features ten highly-rated charity working for a particular cause or issue. Today we’re sharing a list of ten outstanding organizations that are celebrating the arts and working to expand access to them.

If you love to draw, sing, paint, act, or dance, consider supporting one of these highly-rated charities. You can help someone else find their love of the arts too.

Charity Navigator Turns 16!

Over the weekend Charity Navigator turned 16! Can you believe it?

We’ve been providing donors with unbiased charity ratings, tips, and resources since 2002. A few weeks ago we shared the story of Charity Navigator’s beginnings. Today, we’re going to look at where we’re going.

Charity Navigator's Cross-Country Tour: Indiana

Each week, Charity Navigator features a few of the highly-rated organizations serving the people and communities of one of the 50 states. Last week, we looked at some of Illinois’ top charities. Today, we’re heading due east to Indiana, the Hoosier State.

Settled in the midwest, Indiana is home to rolling hills and lots of farmland. The state is part of the Great Lakes region and touches Lake Michigan at its northwest border. Learn more about this unique state and a few of the highly-rated organizations who call it home.

Highly-Rated Charities Working to End Sexual Assault

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Throughout the month, communities and organizations hold events to raise greater awareness of sexual assault and provide education to individuals on ways to prevent and end sexual violence.

Sexual violence is a public health, human rights, and social justice issue. We must work together to stop it in our towns, cities, and communities. The theme for SAAM 2018 is “Embrace Your Voice.” Events will focus on helping individuals use their words and stories to promote safety, respect, and equality to end sexual violence and stand with survivors.

Continue reading for a list of highly-rated organizations working to end sexual assault and violence.

Charity Navigator's Top 10 Charities with Perfect Scores

Each week, Charity Navigator highlights a list of ten exceptional charities that are hard at work on a particular cause or issue. 

Today, we’re featuring ten extra special organizations. These charities are part of an elite group of organizations that have received perfect scores from Charity Navigator. This means they work toward their missions while adhering to best practices and meeting the highest standards of financial health and accountability and transparency practices.

Best Charities for Garden Lovers

Hey, Garden Lover! Did you know that April is National Garden Month? 

Check out this list of 4-star botanical gardens that are helping people find their love of plants and gardening. Botanical gardens across the country provide much needed green spaces in their communities and work to conserve and protect native plant life. Keep reading to learn more about a few of them.

Charity Navigator's Cross-Country Tour: Illinois

Each week, Charity Navigator features a few of the highly-rated charities working in one the 50 states. Today, we’re talking about the Prairie State, Illinois.

Home to Chicago and deep dish pizza, as well as rolling hills and farmland, Illinois is also home to 270 highly-rated organizations. 

Keep reading to learn more about a few of the great organizations serving the people, communities, and culture of the Land of Lincoln.

Tax Day is Just Around the Corner...

April 15 (well, April 17 this year) is just around the corner. Are you ready for Tax Day?

Hopefully, you’ve already filed your taxes or dropped your materials off with your tax preparer, but for those of you who live for (or require) the down-to-the-wire pressure to get your taxes submitted, we’re sharing some helpful tips and information about deducting your charitable giving.

Keep reading to learn more about itemizing your donations to maximize your deduction.

Charity Navigator’s Top 10 Tuesday: Organizations Advancing MLK’s Dream

Tomorrow, April 4, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination outside of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King, a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement, fought for equality and preached tolerance and acceptance for all people. While his famed “I Have a Dream” speech became, and still is, a rallying cry for many, King continued to remind his followers of the work still to be done.

In the decades following his death, King’s family and followers remain committed to upholding his legacy and continuing his work. Along with them, a number of highly-rated organizations continue to represent the values King worked so tirelessly to promote. A few of those organizations are listed below. Consider supporting one of these outstanding organizations in King’s honor today.

Charity Navigator Celebrates National Library Month

Across the country libraries and readers are celebrating National Library Month. It’s a time to appreciate our local libraries as hubs for reading, learning, and exploring new thoughts and ideas. 

If you love to read, consider supporting one of the following highly-rated libraries, or get in touch with your local library to learn how you can lend a hand. Get involved and help others find their love of reading today.