Green Giving: A Guide to Giving Tuesday in Los Angeles
As you look around at our beautiful city of Los Angeles and the surrounding area, the effects of human activities on our local ecosystems and the climate are clear. But that doesn't have to be discouraging. Finding clarity allows us to support local nonprofits that work hard to build climate resilience in the face of climate change.
Giving Tuesday—which falls on 12/28—is one opportunity to find this clarity.
For context, Giving Tuesday was conceived in 2012 as "global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world." Radical generosity is the idea that when others suffer, we all should find it intolerable and work to create systemic change to improve their situation. At Dashboard.Earth, we believe building climate resilience leads to less suffering locally and globally.
This Giving Tuesday, let's come together as a country and a Southern California community to set an example of how focused and intentional local giving can make tangible climate change progress. Because climate resilience is local, we’ve put together a local giving guide to help you identify vetted, trusted organizations creating real impact on climate change on the ground today.
Donate to our partner nonprofit organizations
We're lucky enough to work with a growing number of nonprofit organizations that fight climate change locally. TreePeople, a 501(c)3 organization, has to date "inspired, engaged, and supported more than 3 million people to take action for our environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks, and our neighborhoods." Donate to them to help build a greener, more equitable California.
LA Waterkeeper, also a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, "fight[s] for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and climate-friendly water supplies." They too welcome online donations.
Same goes for our partner Surfrider, who advocates for plastic reduction in marine environments, works to ensure fair and full beach access for the public, and protects the health and sustainability of water.
Radical generosity is the idea that when others suffer, we all should find it intolerable and work to create systemic change to improve their situation.
Los Angeles Audubon Society (LAAS)
If you like birds, you're in business. Your money can go toward helping the members of LAAS protect local birds and their habitats. You can participate in funding this organization by purchasing an annual membership.
Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR)
FoLAR helps build up and support communities, students, and future leaders who can advocate for nature, climate, and equity along the LA River. They see the river as an untapped natural climate solution for areas along the river region at large. They raise money here.
Climate Resolve
Similar to our ethos here at Dashboard.Earth, Climate Resolve believes local climate solutions are the way to build meaningful climate resiliency. In SoCal, they invest in advocacy and community engagement, focusing on empowering existing leadership structures.
Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC)
The LA Conservation Corps is a non-profit, environmentally focused organization that invests in youth development. LACC offers paid work experience on green projects so that youth and young adults in LA can build climate resiliency in their own neighborhood. Donate here.
A quick note on donations and personal finance
Giving Tuesday needs selfless, well-meaning donors like you. While it might not motivate you, your generosity comes with tax benefits! When you or your company donate to a 501(c)3 organization (like many of the ones mentioned above), you can deduct these donations from your yearly tax filing.
Thanks in advance for joining the global generosity movement happening on Giving Tuesday with an online donation or whatever you can give (like your time)! You're making the LA area a better place.