Smart Choices: The Guide to Finances and Philanthropy

Botanic garden | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to provide the community with opportunities to connect with plants. We also educate the community about native plants and water-saving techniques.
Programs	We maintain a 23-acre garden with many varieties of plants for the community to enjoy. We offer a wide variety of classes on specialty gardening. We also maintain an extensive library of reference materials.
Types of Support Sought	We seek financial donations from individuals who become members of the organization. We also seek youth and adult volunteers to help with fundraising events, such as the annual plant sale and used book sale.

Animal rights organization | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to provide a natural sanctuary for rescued wild animals. We also educate the public regarding animal rights.
Programs	We operate a wildlife sanctuary that serves as a permanent home for rescued animals. The sanctuary is open to the public. We also provide educational programs for groups that visit the sanctuary.
Types of Support Sought	We seek financial donations from individuals. These donors are individuals who participate in our membership and animal adoption programs. We also welcome volunteers who help in our gift shop and admissions areas.

Community music organization | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to connect the community with music through concerts and education.
Programs	We provide concerts 50 weeks of every year. We offer a music school for children and adults. We also offer music outreach programs for schools.
Types of Support Sought	Financial donations are welcome in the form of memberships. Volunteers are needed to help with concerts, special fundraising events, and school registration. Volunteers must be 14 or older.

Human rights organization | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to protect human rights in countries throughout the world. We focus on promoting justice and legal reform.
Programs	Our organization runs three main programs. First, we develop publicity to raise awareness about human rights violations. Second, we organize campaigns to help free individuals who have been unfairly imprisoned. Third, we conduct research and publish research papers on human rights.
Types of Support Sought	Financial donations are welcome to help fund the programs listed above. Volunteers are needed to spread the word in our campaigns.

Environmental protection organization | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to educate youth about environmental issues. We focus on increasing youth efforts to protect the environment.
Programs	We operate educational programs in schools on the subject of how to protect the environment. These programs teach students how to preserve natural resources.
Types of Support Sought	We seek individual donations, which provide 75 percent of our revenue. We also welcome student volunteers on school projects that benefit the environment.

Library | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to help the people in our community achieve their full potential. We provide access to printed material, electronic resources, and librarian assistance.
Programs	We offer a central 300-bed shelter in an inner-city location. Residents receive a bed, food, and various services. These include medical care, help with employment, and educational opportunities.
Types of Support Sought	Financial donations to support our programs are always welcome. We also gladly accept non-perishable food and clothing donations.

Homeless shelter | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to provide temporary emergency housing and services to those in need in our community.
Programs	We offer a central 300-bed shelter in an inner-city location. Residents receive a bed, food, and various services. These include medical care, help with employment, and educational opportunities.
Types of Support Sought	Financial donations to support our programs are always welcome. We also gladly accept non-perishable food and clothing donations.

Cancer research organization | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. We focus on preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer.
Programs	We offer research, education, advocacy, and service programs related to cancer.
Types of Support Sought	Financial donations to support our programs are always welcome. Volunteers are needed at special events to raise cancer awareness. We also seek volunteers to work in our office locations.

Youth mentoring program | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to help children through mentoring relationships with a caring adult.
Programs	We match children ages 6 to18 with mentors. These matches meet to share activities for a few hours each month.
Types of Support Sought	Financial donations to support our programs are always welcome. We also seek volunteer adult mentors to participate in our programs.

Food bank | close this description

Mission	Our mission is to provide food supplies to more than 800 hunger relief programs. Last year, we distributed 20.5 million pounds of food. This was enough to provide 43,000 meals each day to needy children, seniors and families.
Programs	We serve as a central supplier to hunger-relief agencies. We have special programs for meeting the needs of children at schools. We also collect food supplies from hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Types of Support Sought	Donations of money are always welcome to support our program costs. We also seek volunteers (must be age 14 or over) to sort and package food. Volunteers help fill agency food orders, work in the office, or help in our break room.