Good causes around the world

Plan International België

Children

Belgium · founded 1983 · Member of the VEF/AERF ethical fundraising association; listed on donorinfo.be

Belgian chapter of Plan International, a children's rights charity advancing equality for girls through sponsorship, education, health and protection programs.

Plan International België works to advance children's rights and equality for girls in developing countries and crisis settings. It funds programs in education, health, child protection and economic empowerment, with a strong focus on girls' rights and ending gender-based discrimination. Belgians can support via child sponsorship, recurring gifts for girls' rights, or one-time donations to humanitarian projects.

Save the Children (US)

Children

United States · founded 1932 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

U.S. children's charity providing health, education, and emergency relief to children in need worldwide.

Save the Children US runs programs in health and nutrition, education, child protection, and emergency response for children both in the United States and in roughly 100 countries. It is part of the global Save the Children movement and focuses on giving children a healthy start, the chance to learn, and protection from harm.

SOS Children's Villages International

Children

Austria · founded 1949

Global federation providing family-based care and support to children without parental care and families at risk worldwide.

SOS Children's Villages International is the umbrella organization of a federation working in over 130 countries. It provides family-strengthening programs, family-based alternative care, education, health and emergency response for children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. The General Secretariat in Innsbruck coordinates member associations, standards, safeguarding and fundraising across the federation.

SOS Kinderdorpen België

Children

Belgium · founded 1963 · Listed on donorinfo.be (Belgian charity transparency platform)

Belgian chapter of SOS Children's Villages helping vulnerable children grow up safely in families, in Belgium and worldwide.

SOS Kinderdorpen België supports children who have lost parental care or risk losing it, helping them grow up in a loving, safe family environment. It funds family-strengthening programs, foster and alternative family care, and child-protection work in Belgium and across roughly 135 other countries. Funding comes from private donations, corporate partnerships and government subsidies.

UNICEF USA

Children

United States · founded 1947 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

U.S. nonprofit that raises funds and awareness to support UNICEF's work for children worldwide.

UNICEF USA raises private funds, advocates, and builds partnerships to support UNICEF's programs delivering health care, nutrition, clean water, education, and emergency relief to children in over 190 countries. It is the oldest of UNICEF's national committees and channels donations and in-kind gifts to UNICEF's global operations.

The Nature Conservancy

Conservation

United States · founded 1951 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (97%)

A global environmental nonprofit working to protect lands and waters on which all life depends.

The Nature Conservancy protects ecologically important lands and waters through acquisition, conservation easements, and science-based stewardship across more than 80 countries and territories. It employs more than 1,000 scientists and has helped protect over 125 million acres of land. It also advances climate and biodiversity policy and partners with governments, communities, and businesses on conservation solutions.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Conservation

Switzerland · founded 1961 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (WWF-US)

Global conservation organization working in around 100 countries to protect wildlife, wild places, and the natural systems people depend on.

WWF works to conserve biodiversity, protect endangered species and critical habitats such as forests, oceans, and freshwater, and reduce humanity's environmental footprint. It runs field conservation programs, partners with governments and businesses on sustainable practices, and campaigns on climate change, deforestation, and wildlife crime.

11.11.11

Development

Belgium · founded 1966 · Donorinfo seal; subscribes to the VEF ethical fundraising code

Belgian umbrella of the Flemish North-South movement campaigning and funding international solidarity and development cooperation worldwide.

11.11.11 is the coalition of NGOs, citizen initiatives and around 20,000 volunteers behind Flanders' annual November solidarity campaign. It funds and supports partner organizations in Central Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and South/Southeast Asia, and channels money to member organizations and citizen projects. It also campaigns on climate justice, migration, fair trade, human rights and economic equality.

Habitat for Humanity International

Development

United States · founded 1976 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (97%)

Christian nonprofit that builds and improves affordable homes alongside families in need across the United States and worldwide.

Habitat for Humanity builds, renovates and repairs decent, affordable housing in partnership with low-income families, who contribute sweat equity and repay affordable mortgages. It operates through local affiliates in the US and national organizations in over 70 countries. It also advocates for housing policy and runs ReStore resale outlets and disaster-response shelter programs.

Handicap International (Humanity & Inclusion)

Disability

Belgium · founded 1982

Humanitarian NGO aiding people with disabilities and vulnerable groups in poverty, conflict and disaster situations worldwide.

Handicap International / Humanity & Inclusion works in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict and disaster, alongside people with disabilities and other vulnerable people. Its programs include rehabilitation and physical therapy, prosthetics, clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war, inclusive education, and emergency response. The Belgian organisation supports international programs reaching millions of people each year.

World Central Kitchen

Disaster relief

United States · founded 2010 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (100%)

Nonprofit providing fresh meals on the front lines of humanitarian, climate, and community crises worldwide.

Founded by chef José Andrés after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, WCK is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to disasters. It activates networks of local restaurants, food trucks, and kitchens to deliver meals quickly, having served hundreds of millions of meals in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Spain, Morocco, Türkiye, Haiti, and the United States.

Malala Fund

Education

United States · founded 2013 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (96%)

Global nonprofit working for a world where every girl can complete 12 years of free, safe, quality education.

Malala Fund invests in local education activists and civil-society organizations challenging the barriers that keep girls out of school. It advocates with governments and international bodies to expand and protect girls' right to secondary education and to secure funding. It also amplifies girls' voices through its publication and storytelling work.

Room to Read

Education

United States · founded 2000 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (99%)

Global nonprofit improving children's literacy and girls' education access across Asia and Africa through local partnerships.

Room to Read develops foundational literacy skills among primary-grade children and supports girls to complete secondary school with life-skills education. It publishes and distributes children's books in local languages, establishes school libraries, and trains teachers. The organization works with communities, partner groups, and governments across Asia and Africa.

Greenpeace International

Environment

Netherlands · founded 1971

A global environmental campaigning network using research, lobbying, and peaceful direct action to protect the planet.

Greenpeace runs international campaigns on climate change, biodiversity and ocean protection, often using ships and peaceful direct action to confront environmental harm. As coordinating body Stichting Greenpeace Council, it directs strategy and channels grants to 25 national and regional Greenpeace organisations. It accepts no government or corporate money, relying on individual donors and foundation grants to safeguard its independence.

Caritas Internationalis

Faith-based aid

Vatican City · founded 1951

Catholic confederation coordinating relief, development and social service work of national Caritas organisations worldwide.

Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working in over 200 countries and territories. It responds to humanitarian emergencies with food, water, shelter and medical aid, supports long-term development and self-sufficiency, and provides psychosocial support to victims of war and violence. It also advocates on poverty, migration, conflict and climate at the global level.

Catholic Relief Services

Faith-based aid

United States · founded 1943 · CharityWatch A+; BBB accredited

Official international humanitarian agency of the US Catholic community, serving the poor and vulnerable overseas regardless of faith.

CRS provides emergency relief in response to disasters and conflict, and longer-term development programs in health, agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. It works in more than 100 countries, often through local Caritas and partner organisations. It assists tens of millions of people annually without regard to race, religion or nationality.

The Salvation Army

Faith-based aid

United Kingdom · founded 1865

An international Christian church and charity providing social services, emergency relief and support to people in need worldwide.

The Salvation Army operates as both a Christian denomination and a social-services organization in over 130 countries. It runs homeless shelters, food programs, addiction rehabilitation, disaster relief, anti-trafficking work and community support services. Funding comes largely from public donations, the iconic Red Kettle campaign, grants and program fees.

World Vision International

Faith-based aid

United Kingdom · founded 1950 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (96%, World Vision US)

Global Christian humanitarian organization working to help vulnerable children, families, and communities overcome poverty and injustice.

World Vision delivers child sponsorship, emergency disaster relief, clean water, health, nutrition, education, and economic development programs across nearly 100 countries. It focuses on the well-being of children, especially the most vulnerable, partnering with communities to create long-term change. The organization also engages in advocacy on behalf of children and the poor.

Against Malaria Foundation

Global health

United Kingdom · founded 2004 · GiveWell top charity

UK charity funding long-lasting insecticidal bed nets to prevent malaria in affected countries.

AMF buys long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and funds their distribution to protect people from malaria, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. It partners with distribution organizations who cover distribution costs, while AMF pays for the nets and post-distribution monitoring. 100% of public donations are used to buy nets, as a small group of private donors covers administrative costs.

Evidence Action

Global health

United States · founded 2013 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (98%); GiveWell-recommended

Nonprofit scaling cost-effective, evidence-based global health and development programs reaching hundreds of millions of people.

Evidence Action scales rigorously evaluated interventions, including the Deworm the World Initiative (mass school-based deworming with governments in countries such as India, Nigeria, Kenya and Pakistan) and Safe Water programs (chlorine dispensers providing safe water to millions in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda). Additional programs screen and scale new interventions. It is recommended by GiveWell.

Helen Keller Intl

Global health

United States · founded 1915 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (97%); GiveWell top charity (vitamin A program)

Global health nonprofit fighting blindness, malnutrition, and vitamin A deficiency in vulnerable populations.

Helen Keller Intl works to prevent blindness and reduce malnutrition across Africa, Asia, and the United States. Its vitamin A supplementation program funds governments to deliver capsules to preschool-age children, distributing tens of millions of doses annually to prevent child mortality and blindness. It also runs neglected tropical disease, eye health, and nutrition programs.

New Incentives

Global health

United States · founded 2011 · GiveWell top charity; Charity Navigator 4 stars (94%)

Nonprofit giving small cash incentives to caregivers in northern Nigeria to boost infant routine vaccination uptake.

New Incentives runs a conditional cash transfer program in northern Nigeria, paying caregivers small incentives when they bring infants to government clinics for routine immunizations. It also conducts community sensitization and helps address vaccine supply-chain bottlenecks. Operating across multiple northern states, it has reached over 6 million infants.

Partners In Health (PIH)

Global health

United States · founded 1987 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

Nonprofit delivering high-quality health care to the world's poorest people while strengthening public health systems.

Partners In Health provides comprehensive medical care in impoverished communities, building and supporting hospitals, clinics, and community health worker programs. It partners with governments to strengthen public health systems and treats conditions from infectious diseases to maternal health. It operates in countries including Haiti, Rwanda, Malawi, Peru, and others.

Sightsavers

Global health

United Kingdom · founded 1950 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (Sightsavers Inc.)

International NGO working in developing countries to treat and prevent avoidable blindness and promote disability rights and inclusion.

Sightsavers partners with organizations in low-income countries to prevent and treat avoidable blindness, including cataract surgeries and treatments for diseases like trachoma. It also campaigns for the rights, education, and economic inclusion of people with disabilities. Since 1950 it has distributed over 1.85 billion disease-prevention treatments.

Amnesty International

Human rights

United Kingdom · founded 1961

Global movement campaigning to protect human rights, free prisoners of conscience, and end abuses worldwide.

Amnesty International conducts independent research to expose human rights violations and mobilizes millions of supporters in campaigning, advocacy, and public pressure. It works to free prisoners of conscience, abolish the death penalty, end torture, and defend the rights of refugees, women, and activists. The movement also pushes governments and institutions to uphold international human rights law.

Wikimedia Foundation

Human rights

United States · founded 2003 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (99%)

The nonprofit behind Wikipedia, sustaining free access to knowledge through the Wikimedia projects worldwide.

The Wikimedia Foundation hosts and operates Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects such as Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata, providing the technical infrastructure, software development, and legal support that keep them running. It funds and supports volunteer communities and affiliate organizations across the globe, and advocates for free and open access to knowledge and digital rights.

CARE International

Hunger & poverty

United States · founded 1945 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

A global humanitarian organization fighting poverty and social injustice, with a special focus on empowering women and girls.

CARE delivers emergency relief and long-term development programs across more than 100 countries, working on food security, clean water, health, education, and economic opportunity. It places women and girls at the center of its work, recognizing that they are disproportionately affected by poverty. Programs span disaster response, gender equality, and climate resilience.

Concern Worldwide

Hunger & poverty

Ireland · founded 1968 · Charity Navigator 3 stars / 83% (Concern Worldwide US)

Ireland's largest humanitarian and development agency, working to end extreme poverty in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Concern Worldwide works in around 25 of the world's poorest and most fragile countries delivering emergency response, food and nutrition, livelihoods, health, education, and water and sanitation programmes. It reached 27.3 million people in 27 countries in 2024. Founded in Dublin in 1968 in response to the Biafra famine, it holds Triple Lock certification from Charities Institute Ireland.

GiveDirectly

Hunger & poverty

United States · founded 2009 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

GiveDirectly sends unconditional cash transfers directly to people living in extreme poverty.

GiveDirectly delivers unconditional cash transfers directly to people living in poverty, primarily via mobile money in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. Recipients decide how to spend the money on their own needs, such as food, housing, education, or starting businesses. The organization also runs disaster-response and refugee cash programs and publishes research on the impact of direct giving.

Oxfam America

Hunger & poverty

United States · founded 1970 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

U.S. affiliate of Oxfam working to end poverty, hunger, and injustice through aid and advocacy.

Oxfam America delivers emergency humanitarian relief and long-term development programs and campaigns on issues like inequality, climate change, and food security in more than 75 countries. As part of the global Oxfam confederation, it combines disaster response, livelihoods support, and policy advocacy to address the root causes of poverty.

Welthungerhilfe

Hunger & poverty

Germany · founded 1962 · DZI Spenden-Siegel (German donation seal), held since 1992

German non-profit fighting global hunger and poverty through development cooperation and humanitarian aid, working toward a world without hunger.

Welthungerhilfe is one of Germany's largest private aid organizations, working in around 35 countries on food security, agriculture and rural development, water, sanitation and hygiene, and humanitarian disaster relief. It pursues 'Zero Hunger by 2030' through self-help projects and policy advocacy. It is independent of any political party or religion and funded by private donations and institutional grants.

World Food Programme (WFP)

Hunger & poverty

Italy · founded 1961 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (World Food Program USA)

The United Nations agency and world's largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger and delivering food assistance in emergencies.

WFP delivers food and cash-based assistance to people facing hunger in emergencies and works to build long-term resilience and address the root causes of hunger. It is the world's leading provider of school meals and is funded entirely by voluntary donations. In 2024 it delivered 2.5 million metric tons of food and disbursed billions in cash transfers.

Damiaanactie (Action Damien)

Medical

Belgium · founded 1964 · Member of the Belgian ethical-fundraising association (VEF/AERF); accounts audited annually

Belgian medical NGO fighting leprosy, tuberculosis and leishmaniasis among vulnerable populations across 13 countries.

Damiaanactie is a Belgian medical development NGO that detects, treats and cures people affected by leprosy, tuberculosis and leishmaniasis, as well as other infectious diseases. It operates in 13 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Belgium, providing medical care and social support to affected families. It is funded largely by private donations and an annual fundraising campaign.

Direct Relief

Medical

United States · founded 1948 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (100%); CharityWatch A+

Humanitarian organization providing donated medicines and medical supplies to health providers worldwide.

Direct Relief delivers medicines, medical supplies, and equipment to healthcare facilities responding to poverty, emergencies, and disasters in the US and across more than 80 countries. It coordinates large in-kind pharmaceutical donations, supports community health centers and free clinics, and funds disaster preparedness and response. In-kind contributions make up more than 90% of its annual revenue.

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)

Medical

Switzerland · founded 1971 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (96%)

International medical humanitarian organization delivering emergency care in conflict zones, epidemics, and disasters worldwide.

MSF provides independent, impartial medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare in over 70 countries. Teams run hospitals and clinics, perform surgery, fight epidemics, and conduct vaccination campaigns. The organization speaks out publicly about crises witnessed by its staff.

Dokters van de Wereld (Médecins du Monde Belgique)

Medical

Belgium · founded 1997 · Recognized as an NGO by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; member of Donorinfo and the VEF/AERF ethical fundraising association

Belgian chapter of the Médecins du Monde network providing medical care and defending healthcare access for vulnerable people at home and abroad.

Médecins du Monde Belgium runs medical and humanitarian programs ensuring access to healthcare for people in vulnerable situations, both in Belgium (homeless people, undocumented migrants, sex workers, people who use drugs) and internationally. It operates community care hubs, harm-reduction services and mobile outreach, and advocates politically for the right to health. It is part of the global Médecins du Monde network.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC)

Medical

United States · founded 1962 · Charity Navigator 4 stars; Candid Platinum

US pediatric treatment and research hospital fighting childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases, with families never paying for care.

St. Jude treats children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses while leading research into their causes and cures. Families are never billed for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Its fundraising arm, ALSAC, supports operations and freely shares research discoveries worldwide.

The Fred Hollows Foundation

Medical

Australia · founded 1992

Australian nonprofit working to end avoidable blindness and restore sight through affordable eye care across developing countries.

The Foundation performs and funds cataract and other sight-restoring eye surgeries, trains surgeons and local eye health workers, and supplies equipment and medicines. It partners with governments and communities across more than 25 countries to build sustainable eye health systems. It reports having restored sight or prevented blindness for over 150 million people.

The Trevor Project

Mental health

United States · founded 1998 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

A U.S. nonprofit working to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people through crisis services, research, education, and advocacy.

The Trevor Project operates free, confidential 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth via phone, text, and chat. It runs TrevorSpace, a moderated international online community for young LGBTQ+ people, and conducts peer-reviewed research on LGBTQ+ youth mental health. It also pursues public education and policy advocacy across all 50 U.S. states.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Refugees & humanitarian

Switzerland · founded 1863 · Charity Navigator 3 stars

Neutral humanitarian organization protecting and assisting victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence worldwide.

The ICRC provides emergency medical care, food and clean water, and protection for people affected by war and armed conflict. It works to reconnect families separated by conflict, visits detainees, and promotes compliance with international humanitarian law. In 2023 it operated in over 100 countries with more than 19,000 staff.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Refugees & humanitarian

United States · founded 1933 · Charity Navigator 4 stars (94%)

Global humanitarian organization helping people affected by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives.

The IRC responds to humanitarian crises in over 40 countries, providing emergency aid, health care, clean water, education, economic support, and protection. It also resettles refugees and supports immigrants across the United States. Founded at the suggestion of Albert Einstein, it helps displaced people recover and rebuild.

Mercy Corps

Refugees & humanitarian

United States · founded 1979 · Charity Navigator 3 stars (85%)

Global humanitarian organization helping people survive crises, build better lives, and transform their communities for the future.

Mercy Corps works in over 40 countries delivering emergency response, food and water security, economic opportunity, and climate resilience programs. It partners with communities recovering from conflict and disaster to build long-term stability. The organization focuses on locally led solutions in some of the world's toughest places.

Norwegian Refugee Council

Refugees & humanitarian

Norway · founded 1946

Independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee by conflict and displacement across nearly 40 countries.

NRC provides emergency and longer-term assistance to displaced people and refugees, including shelter, food security, clean water and sanitation, education, legal aid, and camp management. It operates in conflict and crisis zones across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, and runs the NORCAP standby roster. In 2024 it reported total income of around USD 864 million.

charity: water

Water & sanitation

United States · founded 2006 · Charity Navigator 4 stars

Nonprofit bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries through its 100% model.

charity: water funds local partners who build sustainable water projects such as wells, piped systems, and rainwater harvesting in developing countries. Under its famous 100% model, every public donation goes directly to fund clean water projects while a separate group of private donors covers all operating and overhead costs. It uses GPS, sensors, and photos to verify and report on completed projects.

WaterAid

Water & sanitation

United Kingdom · founded 1981 · Registered with the UK Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator

International charity working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere.

WaterAid works with local partners and communities across Africa, Asia and the Pacific to install sustainable clean water supplies, decent toilets and good hygiene practices. It also campaigns and influences governments to change laws, policies and funding so essential water, sanitation and hygiene services reach everyone. It is one of the world's largest WASH-focused NGOs.