100 Charitable Activities You Can Do With Your Family

Today’s children often grow up in a world of luxury where food, shelter, and education are a given. Getting them involved in charity work at an early age is a great way to make them grateful for what they have and show them how generosity can be contagious. Below is a list of the top 100 charitable activities and sites for children, teens, adults, and families in general.

Best Overall Charities

Families who want to volunteer, contribute, take action, and more would do well to visit the sites below for the best ways to give, time, money, and hope.

1. VolunteerMatch: Currently with over 65,000 participating organizations, this site has many opportunities to choose from. Just type in your location and interests and VolunteerMatch will find many options for charitable families.

2. Volunteers of America: This faith-based organization is dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe, and productive lives. Get more information on the many services they provide, or find an opportunity in your area.

3. Idealist: Located in New York, this site currently has over 88,000 volunteers registered. Register yourself or kids in seconds, and find out more about opportunities in your area.

4. IAVE: The International Association for Volunteer Effort places its volunteers all over the world. It is ideal for those looking to help out overseas and has a great deal of related information.

5. Volunteering Solutions: This site has information on volunteering abroad in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Read testimonials, or learn how you and your family can apply.

6. Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration: This organization strives to make volunteers their best by having them certified. Learn what makes a volunteer truly stand out, along with information on certification.

7. Big Brothers and Big Sisters: With a ton of different programs and locations throughout the nation, families are sure to find charitable activities. And as always, adults are still encouraged to become a sibling to a child in need.

8. Salvation Army: A leading name in item donations, the Salvation Army also excepts airline miles, cars, furniture, and even gives a Valuation Guide for donations. You can also volunteer for one of their many programs.

9. Goodwill: Got clothes, toys, and other items lying around the house? Then find a chapter in your location to donate, as well as get a break on your taxes.

10. Christian Foundation for Children and Aging: The CFCA helps families in developing countries get food and send their children to school. Read the blog, sponsor a child or senior, or even learn more about one of their upcoming trips.

11. YMCA: With hundreds of locations across the country, your local YMCA has many charitable opportunities for families. You can also take a class, teach, volunteer, and more.

12. Food For The Poor: This is a leading international relief and development charity in the United States, feeding 2 million poor people everyday. Get information about mission trips, read the journal, listen to their radio station, and more.

13. Amnesty International: Through membership or donation, you can help further the quest for human rights across the world. Be sure to scroll down to check out what is being done to combat the latest injustices.

14. American Cancer Society: Whether you’re ready to sign up to volunteer from the start or need a little more information, the ACS makes it easy to have your questions answered. You can even watch a video message on the benefits of volunteering.

15. Give Blood: The American Red Cross has a massive database on giving blood. You can visit the website, call the hotline, or learn more about who can give blood.

16. Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Join the fight against breast cancer with this leading organization. Most known for their Race for the Cure, families can find a race by month, year, or location.

17. International Commission: If you’re interested in getting your church, as well as your family, to participate in a charitable activity, visit this site. Read more about the international partnerships being founded and learn how you can help.

18. Habitat for Humanity: A leader in charitable activities, Habitat has many opportunities for families who want to work with their hands. Simply type in your location and be linked to a branch in your area.

19. City of Hope: A top center in the fight against cancer, families can find loads of ways to contribute. Get information on volunteering, donating blood or marrow, and much more.

20. America’s Literacy Directory: Got adults or children who are interested in getting others to read? Then visit this site, type in your location, select your program, and get information on organizations that need your help.

21. OrganDonor: This branch of the government helps those who wish to become organ donors. You can register, get answers to frequently asked questions, and learn how to reduce the risk.

22. ISOH/Impact: This charity is dedicated to disaster relief, international development, and child sponsorship. Learn how you can help or visit the virtual library for more information.

23. The American Red Cross: A leader in charitable giving, you can volunteer to help with disasters in your area. There is even a special option for kids, teens, and seniors.

24. ActionAid: This organization works in 49 countries to help 25 million disadvantaged people and fight the causes of poverty. Visit the site to learn how to keep up the pressure, tell them which programs mean the most, and 18 to 24 year olds can even join the Global Youth Network.

25. AmeriCares: This charity delivers disaster emergency relief, aid, medicine and medical supplies to countries such as Darfur, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, India, and Myanmar. Learn more about the people they help and how you can double a donation.

26. Doctors Without Borders: This charity provides medical help to those in need in over 60 countries. Learn more about what they do through videos, stories, virtual tour a refugee camp, and more.

27. Feeding America: The nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, they supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year. Learn more about the magic summer lunch box, read the child food insecurity report, or get more information on programs in your area.

28. Department of Veterans Affairs: Find the location of a VA Hospital in your area. You can also learn more about volunteering opportunities, send a card, and more.

29. A Million Thanks: Get everyone in the family to send a letter to a soldier overseas and show your appreciation. There is also a radio station and suggestions for other ways to say thanks.

30. Equality Now: The Women’s Action Network branch of this organization has a massive list of things families can do to advance women’s rights across the world. Write letters against forced divorce, rape, injustice, and much more.

31. MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving have many volunteer opportunities and branches throughout the country. Get involved with legislative activities, working with the victims, youth programs, and more.

32. Covenant House: Families wishing to work with the homeless can find a shelter in their area from this massive advocacy organization. Often working with children, Covenant House opportunities include mentoring, volunteering, and there is even a NINELINE to help those in need.

33. Homeless Shelters and Soup Kitchens: Need to find a shelter or kitchen in your area? Then scroll down the page for a list of opportunities sorted by state.

34. Missionaries of Charity: Families looking to do something as simple as say a prayer for those in need should visit this site. You can even add someone who is in need of prayers.

35. Light-A-Candle: Say a prayer for those in need and click the candle to let them know someone is praying for them. You can also post your own story.

36. The Nature Conservancy: Since 1951, the conservancy has been using science and partnerships to protect Earth’s most important natural places. Learn more about the areas being helped by this charity, along with volunteering opportunities and the billion tree project.

Best Children’s Charities

These charities specialize in helping children and are among the best in the world.

37. One Hen: Microfinance for Kids: In the famous book, the loan for a hen changes the main character’s life. By visiting the site, you can do the same in addition to buying the book, playing a game, or learning more about the people you can help.

38. Kiva: This organization allows you and your child to loan money to those in third world countries. Choose an amount starting at just $25, and you can even be featured on their home page.

39. Heifer International: Choose from giving a direct financial gift, buying an animal for a family in need and more. You can also become part of Team Heifer, volunteer, or read the different fundraising ideas.

40. The Children’s Aid Society: This organization constantly ranks in the top of charities. Get more information on what they do, the children they help, and volunteer information.

41. Boys & Girls Clubs of America: This charity inspires and enables young people to do their best. With numerous clubs around the country, you and your family will find loads of charitable activities you can do together.

42. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: This leading research hospital is dedicated to finding cures and saving children. In addition to charitable opportunities, you can read various patient’s stories.

43. Feed The Children: This charity is dedicated to providing food for children in the United States, around the world, and at their abandoned baby center. They also have options for those who want to sponsor a child, go on a mission, and you can even send an e-card.

44. Boy Scouts: A leader in charitable activities for children, you can sign up your boys, volunteer, or learn more about what they do. Make sure to visit the online learning center to get tips on what scouts learn.

45. Girl Scouts: Girls and grown women can find loads of charitable opportunities. Just sign them up, or become a leader yourself and learn how you can perform charitable activities as mother and daughter.

46. Rotary Foundation: Students and older children can participate through programs, scholarships, travel on cultural exchanges, or help a community through a service project. There are also programs for adults as well.

47. National Gallery of Art – Kids: Children will enjoy visiting this site to learn more about art, and even use the interactive option to make their own art online. There is also information on giving and visiting the gallery.

48. Feed My Starving Children: This organization can provide a meal to a child for only seventeen cents. Learn more about the countries and people they serve, volunteer, or visit one of the five packing centers across the country.

49. Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry’s Kids: A leader in the fight against MDA, there are many ways families can help. Become a volunteer, advocate, learn about the telethon, and more.

50. Children for Children: Located in New York, this organization is an excellent way for children to discover their potential to solve problems. Kids can get information on the basics of community service, ideas on how to volunteer, and learn more about book programs.

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