Each year, stroke kills more than 130,000 Americans annually—that’s 1 out of every 20 deaths. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 4 minutes, someone dies of one. Here are some other numbers to consider, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes; about 185,00 strokes—nearly 1 of 4—are in people who have had a previous stroke.
In 2009, 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were less than 65 years old.
Stroke costs the United States an estimated $33 billion each year.
In recognition of American Stroke Month, we’ve compiled a few of the many nonprofits working to provide education and assistance to stroke victims and their loved ones: (more…)
The first Tuesday of May is designated as National Foster Care Day, which help kicked off National Foster Care Month. And calling attention to the needs of the more than 400,000 children currently in the often broken foster care system is understandable:
Only half of youth in foster care graduate high school
20 percent of foster children experience homelessness within a year of aging out of care
33 percent of 17- and 18-year-old women in foster care are pregnant or parenting
More than 70 percent of inmates were at one point in the foster care system
Below are just a few of the many nonprofits working to make the lives of foster children a much happier one: (more…)
The last Friday in April commemorates Arbor Day, and people are encouraged to celebrate the holiday by planting a tree. Sound like a lot of work? It can be, but if you are on a mission to beautify your neighborhood and clean the air you breathe, there are organizations out there that can help you do just that. Here are a few of them: (more…)
Watch the Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs’ LaRae Scott-Jennings explain why the word philanthropist doesn’t have to be intimidating, and what she has personally gained from her giving.
April 26 is designated as National Audubon Day, in memory John Audubon, the famed ornithologist, naturalist, and painter born on this date in 1785. Audubon is known for his extensive studies of American birds and his detailed illustrations of the birds in their natural habitats.
Unfortunately, not every bird can remain in its natural habitat. Luckily, there are many great nonprofits working to provide sanctuary for these birds. Here are some of the top-rated ones doing just that: (more…)
April 26 marks the fifth annual Help a Horse Day. According to the ASPCA, it’s a day for equine rescues and sanctuaries to raise awareness about the lifesaving work they do year-round to care for at-risk horses in their community who have often been abused or neglected.
The organization also notes that horses have been central to the ASPCA’s work since its founding 150 years ago, when Henry Bergh stopped a cart driver from beating his horse, resulting in the first successful arrest for the mistreatment of a horse on April 26, 1866.
Here are five of our top-rated nonprofits dedicated to the well-being of horses: (more…)
Watch SV2’s Laura Lauder discuss the two Jewish values that inspire her to give, and the nonprofit that’s very special to her that embodies both of these values.
The Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs’ Tanaka Shipp believes that “if everybody gives a little, we can all give a lot.” Watch her discuss someone whose life was touched by that ethos.
Now celebrated worldwide by more than a billion people, Earth Day has something for everyone. Local opportunities abound for beautification projects next Saturday, April 22, and all it takes to get involved with cleaning up your local park or beach is a simple online search and a few hours of your time.
But for nonprofits dedicated to protecting animal and plant species from extinction, keeping our landscape from more resembling a moonscape, and preserving the quality of our air and water, every day is Earth Day. Here are 10 of the many that do just that:
The National Parks Conservation Association works to ensure that our national parks and monuments are welcoming and well funded, well managed, and well protected for generations today and tomorrow.
“Through the years I have visited many of our National Parks. They are truly wonders to see! We need to conserve these now to make sure our children and grandchildren have the same opportunity we have had.
“I am seeing much erosion and destruction in the parks now that we need to make others aware of so additional protections can be implemented. The NPCA is working hard to protect these precious lands and they need all the help they can get!
“I am a true lover of our National Parks! So beautiful and amazing!”
Ocean Defenders Alliance works to clean and protect marine ecosystems, focusing primarily on the reduction and removal of manmade debris that poses serious threats to ocean wildlife and habitats.
“My wife and I have been supporting ODA since its inception and it has been the best use of our donated dollars I’ve witnessed. The volunteers involved with this organization and what they give for the cause are amazing. I only wish I had more money to help leverage their efforts.”
The mission of the Amazon Conservation Association is to protect the world’s most diverse landscapes, train the next generation of Amazonian conservationists, and partner with communities to support livelihoods that sustain biodiversity.
“There may be bigger conservation organizations than ACA, but the impact ACA has had in Peru and Bolivia has been comparable with many of the so-called ‘bigger’ organizations out there. They bring in technical expertise and years of building trust with local communities to the plate and always deliver results. As a biologist, I truly appreciate all their hard work and the impact they have had in keeping the Amazon green.”
The International Rivers Network protects rivers and defends the rights of communities that depend on them. It works to stop destructive dams and promote water and energy solutions for a just and sustainable world.
“Billions of dollars are being invested in building dams throughout the Amazon that will devastate the environment and displace local communities and cause massive emission of greenhouse gases as the vegetation decomposes. International Rivers is at the forefront of ensuring that local communities and the environment is put before economic greed and is the leading expert on these issues.”
Endangered Species International is strongly committed to reversing the trend of human-induced species extinction, saving endangered animals, and preserving wild places!
“Endangered Species International is an amazing group that really gets things done out in the field. I applaud their effort and hard work to save endangered animals and their home! Most fund is spent on the field for direct impacts . . . no wasting resources!”
The Center for Biological Diversity believes that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature—to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, the center works to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction.
“Global wildlife populations remain under siege and the illegal wildlife trade flourishes. We are losing species and habitat on almost every front. That’s why I support Endangered Species International (ESI) and the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), both doing an incredible job. ESI is saving so many species and habitats on the ground where CBD does not operate like in the rainforest of Congo. CBD is doing a great job by protecting the endangered species act and making sure endangered species are included and can recover!”
Canopy plants and cares for trees where people need them the most—bringing the life-giving benefits of trees to the schools, neighborhoods, and public spaces of the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula.
“I have volunteered with Canopy and donated to Canopy for the past four years. They are a small team of dedicated, passionate, skilled employees who leverage their fantastic board and volunteers to make a big difference. They serve the community in so many ways–not just planting, not just educating, not just pruning and mulching, not just advocacy—their full perspective on the urban forest make them a very effective organization.
“Also, I really admire how they give jobs and job training to East Palo Alto teens. It makes the organization more effective in East Palo Alto and makes a huge difference for the teens who are part of the program.”
REEF conserves marine water ecosystems for their recreational, commercial, and intrinsic value by educating, enlisting, and enabling divers and other marine water enthusiasts to become active stewards and citizen scientists.
“REEF is a way for me to turn my passion into meaningful contribution. I love the ocean and its inhabitants so I scuba dive a lot. REEF lets me contribute to greater understanding of the ocean and the changes that are going on that need tracking. They are easy to work with and really value citizen science contributors such as myself.”
Rattlebox Nature Center provides individuals of all ages and capabilities with hands-on experience that will better their understanding of the critical role that animals play in the health and welfare of our world.
“My daughter attended Rattlebox Nature Center this summer and absolutely loved it. This was the one camp she couldn’t stop talking about all summer and she is delighted to be able to attend on an off day from school. Valerie was extremely kind and compassionate about the love and care of her animals and she treated my daughter like her own. I was also impressed with the lovely crafts that were completed. This camp truly exceeded my expectations.”
Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group working both in the field and in the policy arenas to stop the harassment and slaughter of America’s last wild buffalo.
“This incredible nonprofit does so much with so little. Dedicated, enduring, passionate, and suffering along with the buffalo, they are so impressive and so admirable and so determined. Our National Heritage buffalo/bison are the target of hunters and hunter-controlled government agencies, with even the Park Service unwilling to stand up for the defenseless buffalo who are only trying to live and survive in areas that have been their homeland since the beginning. BFC is their voice and their advocate when others are too busy to care. This is indeed a nonprofit that walks the walk.”
Watch the Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs’ Shani Hilliard talk about why SPIN is so important to her, and a special experience that she’s had through her affiliation with the organization.
Watch SVP Seattle’s Brad Brickman discuss Communities in Schools, which aims to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
If you’re here, that most likely means you understand the importance of using Google Analytics to understand your web traffic and make data-informed decisions. If that’s true – congrats! You are building a data culture at your organization, major kudos. If you need more convincing, fear not – we’re used to it. Check out our spiel on why GA is so crucial.
Whether you’re a beginner to Google Analytics or an old pro, you’ve gotta know the lingo in order to use it effectively. So here’s our Google Analytics glossary to break down all the jargon and (hopefully) make GA a little more accessible for you and your team.
Think of anything we should add? Want to correct one of our definitions? Find us on the twitters, we love hearing what you think. Without further ado…
Digital marketing is a catch-all term for the act of promoting services or products through media across varied digital channels. When this term is applied to the nonprofit sector all that changes is that services/products are designed to provide a societal benefit. This is where things begin to become more complicated for nonprofits than their for-profit counterparts. It is clear for a company like Amazon or Etsy that the goal is to sell more items through their site and by doing more of this they win. A ‘win’ for a nonprofit’s website is to deepen an engagement with a set of stakeholders that leads to the long term outcomes of the organization.
While sometimes it may be as simple as driving more people to donate, it can become more difficult when dealing with driving awareness or behavior changes. This resource will help nonprofits begin the process answering three key questions:
Why does your organization have a website?
Is your digital marketing/work driving users to take next step actions?
How do you know if your website is driving the offline impact you are trying to have?
Since 1983, April has been designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We know that child abuse unfortunately exists, but how many of us know just how widespread the problem is? According to the National Children’s Alliance, nearly 700,000 children are abused in the U.S. annually. An estimated 683,000 children (unique incidents) were victims of abuse and neglect in 2015 (the most recent year for which there is national data). Here are some other numbers to consider:
In 2015, an estimated 1,670 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States.
A parent of the child victim was the perpetrator in 78.1% of substantiated cases of child maltreatment.
14% of men and 36% of women in prison were abused as children.
Here are a few of the organizations working to both bring an end to child abuse and comfort to those who’ve been victims of it:
Military Veterans Against Child Abuse educates children, parents, child care providers, teachers, and the community as a whole about child safety and child abuse prevention through educational material, activities, seminars, and advocacy.
“Military Veterans Against Child Abuse is one of the most compassionate organizations I have had the pleasure of interacting with. Not only are they responsive but they stick by their cause with integrity and open hearts. I contacted the organization about a young boy who suffered horrible abuse. I was advocating for him and his family to drum up support in the form of letters, cards, and notes as this young boy faced brain surgery and a long recovery. I contacted MVACA on social media and immediately got a heartfelt response! They gave me invaluable advice as an advocate and encouraged me to start a Facebook page for the family and they shard Eli’s story and page calling their followers to send notes of healing. There was no resistance, only openness and genuine concern for all affected by child abuse. I will not hesitate to contact them in the future for advice or assistance!”
Prevent Child Abuse America is dedicated to promoting services that improve child well-being in all 50 states and developing programs that help to prevent all types of abuse and neglect of our nation’s children.
“I am a board member of Prevent Child Abuse America and have volunteered in the field of child maltreatment for more than 20 years. Prevent Child Abuse America is a powerful force in the effort to prevent the abuse and neglect of children and the only organization whose sole mission is prevention of child maltreatment. Among other things, PCA America promotes evidence-based programs that seek to help families at risk for abuse or neglect, addresses issues involving bullying, and helps to set the national agenda on child maltreatment issues. With extremely committed staff, board, and volunteers across the country, it is a tireless advocate for all children. PCA America is a fantastic organization.”
Free Arts uses art to restore hope, resiliency, and self-esteem in children in Los Angeles ages 7–18 who have experienced abuse, neglect, poverty, and homelessness. The organization serves more than 22,000 children in Los Angeles each year via nearly 200 adult volunteer mentors.
“The vibrancy and enthusiasm that the staff and volunteers of Free Arts evoke and the dedication to their mission to inspire hope in the lives of children is what makes this such an amazing agency. It is rarely an easy task to engage kids who are generally distrustful of outsiders because of the negative experiences they have had in their short lives. Jorie Aldrich and her group of volunteers had absolutely no problem breaching that obstacle with the children at our Public Housing development. I am personally grateful to Free Arts and look forward to working with them again!”
To learn more about these organizations and many others doing similar work, please check out GreatNonprofits.
Giving is definitely a family affair for the Armstrongs: “I think the best thing you can do to teach your children philanthropy is lead by example,” says Amy Armstrong. And one of the organizations that has benefited from Amy and Patrick’s example is Feeding Matters.
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds. And every eight minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only six out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. To shine a light on the scope of this problem, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Here are some other statistics to consider:
Ages 12–34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault.
82% of all juvenile victims are female. 90% of adult rape victims are female.
94% of women who are raped experience PTSD symptoms during the two weeks following the rape.
Below are just a few of the many organizations working to put a stop to sexual violence and to get victims the help they need:
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country, and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
“As a child I’d spent nine years in an atmosphere of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. As an adult, recreated that chaos and chose partners who affirmed my own self-loathing. I fell deep into addictions and constantly let my guard down while drunk or “relaxed” on Rx meds.
“Over the years, beginning from the end of my marriage in my late 20s and ending the last time when I was 39, I was raped four times— that I can remember. I believe there were other times, but I have no proof because I was passed out.
“At age 39, I was raped by a longtime “friend” at a party. When I recovered the next day, I knew I had to get help. I went to my first AA meeting the next day. After I became clean and sober, I looked for help. I found RAINN and they put me in touch with a free service in my town. My counselor is a beautiful person and she helped me find my way out of the worst darkness. It is my life’s goal to continue my volunteer work helping women and children in DV shelters and to pay RAINN back as a RAINNmaker for the rest of my life. I have forgiven every one of my abusers after many years of deep soul work. I am not the same person I used to be. I love my life and am grateful for every day. If not for RAINN’s 800 number that was so easy to remember all those years ago, and their compassion and just being there, I don’t think I’d be alive today.”
The Orange County Rape Crisis Center’s mission is to stop sexual violence and its impact through support, education, and advocacy. It envisions a just and equitable world free of sexual violence and all other forms of oppression.
“When most people think of a Rape Crisis Center their mind often goes to a sad and desolate place. Orange County Rape Crisis Center is anything but this. It is a place for help, hope, and healing with emphasis on the healing. They provide free and confidential services to people around our community who need it most, and they also have one of the oldest preventative education programs in the entire state! My time as a community educator for Start Strong allowed me to grow as a person and an advocate. It gave me a space to learn and to ask questions, and most importantly it made me feel like I was making a difference in my community.”
The Houston Area Women’s Center helps individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward. It provides shelter, counseling, and advocacy to support them in building lives free from the effects of violence, and seeks social change to end domestic and sexual violence through community awareness and education.
“Called HAWC and even though we had never dealt with them before, they sent someone to the hospital to advocate for my friend after a violent sexual assault. The woman they sent was a rape survivor, and made sure all procedures were followed correctly, gave emotional support, and even brought a clean set of sweat pants and a clean T-shirt, so my friend would have clothing to wear home.
What was truly awesome about our experience was the free of charge sexual assault counseling we were both able to participate in at the Women’s Center. It was basically group therapy, run by a counselor and the survivors themselves, meeting once a week and encouraging each other. Wonderful resource. This was back when Ellen Cohen was the CEO there, and we are excited to see her go on to be involved in local politics. We love you, Ellen!”
To learn more about these organizations and many others working to both end sexual violence and provide comfort to survivors of it, check out GreatNonprofits.
Watch mother and daughter Kate and Phoebe Wells discuss their involvement with Social Venture Partners Arizona, a relationship that led them to ResilientMe, a nonprofit that helps kids aging out of the foster care system.
April 2, as it has done every year since its adoption by the United Nations 10 years ago, commemorated World Autism Awareness Day. And the stakes for raising public awareness have never been higher. According to the Autism Society:
About 1 percent of the world population has autism spectrum disorder.
More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.
Prevalence in the United States is estimated at 1 in 68 births.
Prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68).
Below are just a few of the nonprofits striving to assist those affected by autism:
Warriors for Autism enlightens, enriches, and empowers the lives of families on the autism spectrum through its efforts to provide inclusive programs and services to the community. These include an inclusive summer camp program on a horse farm for children with ASD and their siblings ages 6–16; mini-camps during off-school breaks; sensory/allergy-friendly holiday events for families throughout the year; and an adaptive martial arts program for children aged 5+ to work on balance, speed/agility, hand/eye coordination, and basic martial arts
“My 11-year-old son attended for the first time this year. We just moved in the area and was concerned about so much transition. However, he found comfort and excitement going to this camp every day. His verbal skills are limited and was asking to go back! He has never done that before. Deena and staff are incredible with the children. It was like dropping them off with a family member that understands and loves your child. He can’t wait to go back next summer.”
Created in December 2001, the Organization for Autism Research is the product of the shared vision and unique life experiences of its seven founders. Led by these parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum, OAR sets out to use applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers, and caregivers confront daily.
“OAR is a phenomenal organization, one that focuses on autism research that will prove useful to individuals on the spectrum and their families in the real world. Thanks to OAR’s generosity, I am currently conducting a study on outcomes for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that will provide insights into what is happening in the community ‘once the big yellow bus stops coming.’ Beyond funding research that makes a difference, OAR reaches out to families and service providers, offering insightful materials that I, as a professor, have often shared with colleagues, students, and families. I especially recommend the ‘Life Journey Through Autism’ series!”
Talk About Curing Autism is dedicated to educating, empowering, and supporting families affected by autism. For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families and the professionals who can help them, allowing them to share stories and information to help improve the quality of life for people with autism.
“When my son was diagnosed with autism in 2000 I was mired in grief when the answers for my son’s pain were elusive to the medical community. Then I heard about a small group of parents meeting nearby who were helping each other to find the answers for their children. That group was eventually called Talk About Curing Autism. The first thing I learned from this group was that hope is real and that our kids can get better. It was the salve of healing I needed to go find answers for him. A little over two years later my son was declared recovered from autism by his pediatrician.
“Today he is a junior in high school, on the high honor roll, plays in the band, and is on the cross country team. Oh, and we just signed him up for SAT and ACT tests because he is going to college! None of this would have been possible if not for TACA’s support. This is why I am still involved as a chapter coordinator and volunteer. The gift of a future for my son is something I will always be grateful for, and seeing other families achieve the same for their child is what it is all about.”
To learn more about these and other nonprofits working to improve the lives of those on the autism spectrum as well as their families, check out GreatNonprofits.
This past Tuesday marked the American Diabetes Association’s Alert Day, “a one-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated.” And it’s a sorely needed wake-up call:
Nearly 30 million people in the United States have diabetes
86 million Americans have prediabetes
4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year
Diabetes (more than 69,000 deaths) kills more Americans each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined
Many nonprofits are working to combat this disease and arm sufferers with the information and treatment they need. Here are a few of them:
The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi is the state’s premier nonprofit health organization working to prevent diabetes and associated complications, as well as work to improve the lives of every child, every adult, and every family touched by type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It accomplishes this through education, support, advocacy, medical assistance, and research.
“I can’t say enough good things about the DFM. They have been there for us since day one of our son’s T1D diagnosis. My son felt so special upon receiving his initial care package. We were also relieved because it felt great knowing there was another team of people to help us when/if we needed it. They helped us get connected with other parents and T1 kiddos in our area and in our state via social media groups. We absolutely love Camp Kandu!! From school nurse trainings, seminars, fundraising events, and community outreach programs, the DFM does a great job advocating for all of the Mississippians with diabetes.”
The Diabetes Hands Foundation fosters an open and inclusive community of support for all those touched by diabetes, connecting them with tools and information to actively and confidently voice their needs and pursue healthier lives.
“TuDiabetes literally saved my life, my health. The information I got on day-to-day management of T1 diabetes that’s available here is priceless, and unique. Finding a place where I don’t have to explain diabetes, explain the emotional ups and down, explain how tiring it can be to manage, is a gift.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching people join the community who were in dire straits—and got the information and support they needed to gain control of their diabetes, rather than letting their diabetes control them. It’s a pleasure and privilege to volunteer for an organization that provides so much for so many.”
Founded in 1971 by a small group of parents of children with diabetes who were committed to finding a cure for this devastating disease, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation has evolved into an international coalition of business leaders, celebrities, research scientists, clinicians, families, and other concerned individuals who have helped change both the scope and direction of diabetes research.
“I became acquainted with the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation 11 years ago, shortly after my diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. I soon became a passionate supporter of the organization, as I quickly saw its unwavering commitment to a cure for type 1. I’m very close to the diabetes community, and understand I am unspeakably lucky to be associated to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. The organization does outstanding work in its intelligent, passionate, dynamic, and compassionate approach to cure-focused efforts. After almost a dozen years of proximity to the DRIF, I can confidently say I’ll continue to unwaveringly support its efforts in any way I can—such is my trust in, positive experience with, and belief in the organization.”
To learn more about these and other nonprofits working tirelessly to support people in their battle with diabetes, check out GreatNonprofits.
Ocean Defenders Alliance
International Rivers Network
Center for Biological Diversity
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
Buffalo Field Campaign
Prevent Child Abuse America
The Orange County Rape Crisis Center’s mission is to stop sexual violence and its impact through support, education, and advocacy. It envisions a just and equitable world free of sexual violence and all other forms of oppression.
The Houston Area Women’s Center helps individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward. It provides shelter, counseling, and advocacy to support them in building lives free from the effects of violence, and seeks social change to end domestic and sexual violence through community awareness and education.
Created in December 2001, the Organization for Autism Research is the product of the shared vision and unique life experiences of its seven founders. Led by these parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum, OAR sets out to use applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers, and caregivers confront daily.
Loading ...