In the US, single mothers comprise 80% of all single parents. These women frequently battle depression, social stigma, financial stress, and the responsibility of parenting a child alone. Fortunately, many charities offer programs that help single mothers financially and emotionally. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that support single mothers?

The best charities that support single mothers are Life of a Single Mom and Bridge of Hope. Charities like Helping Hands for Single Moms, Mercy Housing, and The Salvation Army offer financial support, transitional housing, and affordable permanent housing to single mothers in the US. 

Whether you want to offer single moms emotional support, assist them in getting a college education, or provide free meals for them and their families, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that support single mothers are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Support Single Mothers Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements. They operate locally, nationally, and globally, supporting single mothers and their children. 

Many of these charities provide direct financial, emotional, and practical support to single mothers who are feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of parenting their children alone. Others offer shelter and free food to single mothers struggling to care for their children. Yet they all share the same goal; to help single mothers to improve their lives.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Support Single Mothers in 2023

Below are our favorite charities that support single mothers:

• Life of a Single Mom
• Bridge of Hope
• Helping Hands for Single Moms
• Mercy Housing
• The Salvation Army
• Feeding America
• The Single Mom KC
• Single Parent Advocate
• Gingerbread

(At the end of this article, we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Life of a Single Mom: Where No Single Mom Walks Alone

Life of a Single Mom was founded in 2007 by Jennifer Maggio to provide emotional support to single mothers at her local church. Today, the charity is a national non-profit organization providing emotional and practical support to single moms in the US.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Life of a Single Mom has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We want to improve the lives of single mothers by providing support groups and education in 3 core areas: Parenting, Finances, and Health & Wellness.”

Life of a Single Mom

What they do: Life of a Single Mom establishes and equips single mom support groups in churches and communities across the US and provides ongoing support for these groups. They also connect single mothers to their closest support group through their national map. Furthermore, they run the Single Mom University to educate single mothers on emotional wellness and positive parenting topics, as well as financial management. Additionally, they organize various local and national events around the US every year to help single mothers to build supportive relationships.

What they’ve achieved: Since their inception, Life of a Single Mom has helped over 750,000 single moms across the US. For example, in 2021, they distributed over $62,000 to 148 single moms affected by Hurricane Ida to cover the costs of emergency housing, transportation, and insurance deductibles. In the same year, they also enrolled 2,127 single moms in their educational program, Single Moms University. Additionally, they organized a prison inmate initiative for 187 single mothers that included case management, parenting courses, and enrollment into their educational program.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to Life of a Single Mom through their website. You can also assist them by purchasing merchandise from their online shop.

Bridge of Hope: Churches Respond. Homelessness Ends. Hope Begins

Bridge of Hope was established in 1987 by Sandy Lewis and Linda Witmer to help churches assist families facing homelessness. Today, they continue to partner with church communities to support single moms and other families in order to end homelessness in the US.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Bridge of Hope has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“To engage Christian faith communities in ending family homelessness through neighboring relationships that demonstrate Christ’s love.”

Bridge of Hope

What they do: Bridge of Hope trains and equips local Christian faith communities to respond to homelessness in practical ways. They do this by pairing single moms and other families facing homelessness with case managers and Neighboring Volunteers to support them in acquiring safe and sustainable housing. They also help single mothers find immediate rental housing and provide training in money management and rental assistance. 

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, Bridge of Hope has assisted homeless single moms and other families in 13 locations in the US. For instance, in 2021, they trained 583 Neighboring Volunteers to provide emotional support to single moms and homeless families. They also helped 380 mothers and children, including single mothers, to secure accommodation. In addition, they helped 74% of the families and single mothers they supported to increase their income.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to Bridge of Hope through their website. You can also assist the charity by volunteering or by launching a local program.

Helping Hands for Single Moms: Supporting Single Moms Through College

Helping Hands for Single Moms was founded in 2001 by Chris Coffman to help low-income single moms pursue a college education. Today, they financially and emotionally support single mothers through college, giving them a chance to advance their careers and sustain their families.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Helping Hands for Single Moms has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“Our mission is to assist low-income single mom families as the mother attains a post-secondary education, financial independence, and positive family legacy.”

Helping Hands for Single Moms

What they do: Helping Hands for Single Moms provides a supportive program for single moms wishing to pursue a college education. They do this by offering financial support, such as scholarships, emergency funds, textbook purchases, and budget management plans. They also provide technical assistance, such as auto-repair, software, and computer support. Additionally, they offer mentoring, tutoring, professional counseling, and legal counsel. The charity also runs a Single Moms Network that hosts monthly meetings to provide a community for single moms enrolled in their program.

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, Helping Hands for Single Moms has supported single moms to pursue a college education in Dallas and Phoenix. For example, in 2020, they supported 57 single moms in earning 1,278 college credits (an average of 22 per mom) with a combined average GPA (Grade point average) of 3.5. They also provided 87 scholarships, including starter scholarships at $2,000 annually, and total scholarships at $3,200 annually.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to Helping Hands for Single Moms through their website. You can also support the charity by giving to their Phoenix branch. In addition, you can get involved by offering your services and resources or by becoming a Board member.

Mercy Housing: Transforming Lives Through Affordable Housing

Mercy Housing was established in 1981 by Sister Timothy Marie O’Roark to provide affordable housing to families facing eviction. Today, they continue to address affordable housing problems for families and single moms dealing with homelessness through housing development, financing, and educational outreach.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Mercy Housing has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Our goal from the start has been to create healthy, sustainable communities where every person has a place to call home.”

Mercy Housing

What they do: Mercy Housing provides affordable housing and rental services to single moms and families needing a home. They also organize seminars to assist women, particularly single mothers, with budgeting, health and fitness, and career planning. Furthermore, they run a transitional family housing development for homeless women, including single moms, who need basic necessities such as food, baby care, and furniture. They also assist these women in finding employment or finishing their studies to improve their prospects of obtaining well-paying jobs to support their children.

What they’ve achieved: Since their inception, Mercy Housing has helped 152,000 people access affordable housing in the US, including single mothers. They have also participated in developing, preserving, and financing over 48,200 affordable homes. Additionally, they manage 59 properties throughout 22 counties in Washington and Idaho, providing 5,500 underprivileged children, single moms, and families with a place to call home. The charity has also developed and preserved 45 properties, delivering over 3,192 affordable rental homes to over 8,000 low-income single mothers and families in communities across the US.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to Mercy Housing through their website. You can also support them by volunteering.

The Salvation Army: Doing the Most Good

The Salvation Army was established in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth to reach out to the impoverished and disadvantaged. Today, they are a global charity providing practical support to those in need, including single moms.

Their impact and transparency ratings: The Salvation Army scores 97 out of 100 for accountability and finance from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”

The Salvation Army

What they do: The Salvation Army provides emergency shelters that offer food, lodging, or financial assistance to homeless single moms and other vulnerable people. They also offer job-training services and employment assistance to single moms and other people who are having trouble finding work. Additionally, they provide affordable and safe child care while parents work. The charity also offers immediate assistance to domestic violence victims, particularly women and single moms. They provide them with health referrals, counseling, parenting classes, and permanent housing placement.

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, the Salvation Army has provided emergency shelter and transitional housing to over 7 million single moms and other people experiencing homelessness. They have also provided rent and utility assistance to over 3 million families in need, including single moms. In addition, they have delivered more than 171 million food boxes and hot meals to those in need, including single mothers and their children.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to the Salvation Army through their website. You can support the charity by joining their Love Beyond project to support single mothers and other vulnerable families in the US.

Feeding America: Because No One Should Go Hungry

Feeding America was founded in 1979 by John Van Hegel to distribute food to those in need. Today, the charity is the largest hunger-relief organization in the US, providing much-needed assistance to vulnerable families, including single mothers.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Feeding America has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We want to advance change in America by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all in partnership with food banks, policymakers, supporters, and the communities we serve.”

Feeding America

What they do: Feeding America runs mobile pantries and drive-thru pantries that offer free groceries to those in need, including single mothers. They also provide free meals and summer learning programs for children and teenagers during school holidays. Furthermore, through their BackPack programs, they provide children, single moms, and other families with free, easy-to-make meals for the weekend and school breaks. In addition, they organize after-school programs that give free meals to kids after school hours and on the weekends, as well as fun activities and tutoring.

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, Feeding America has remained committed to ending hunger in the US. For example, in 2021, they delivered 6.6 billion meals to single moms, children, and needy people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs nationwide. They also distributed nearly $380,000 in grants to network food banks in the US, empowering them to deliver more food to those in need, including single moms. In addition, they engaged 80 food banks across the US to commit to ending hunger.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to Feeding America through their website. You can also assist them by starting a fundraiser or hosting a food drive. In addition, you could volunteer or become an advocate for ending hunger in the US.

The Single Mom KC: Home. Courage. Community.

The Single Mom KC was founded in 2009 by Misty Honnold to support single moms in her community. Today, the charity continues to provide encouragement and practical assistance to single mothers in Kansas City.

Their impact and transparency ratings: The Single Mom KC holds a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We want to help the 61,600+ single mother families in the KC Metro area join together in communities of solid stable growing families to break the patterns of the past.”

The Single Mom KC

What they do: The Single Mom KC organizes monthly support gatherings for single moms where they provide free meals, free child care, and children’s programs for infants through to 5th graders. They also offer affordable therapy workshops for single moms dealing with depression, unprocessed grief, or trauma. In addition, they run a Clothed with Dignity boutique where they invite single mothers to shop once a month for free.

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, The Single Mom KC has provided support groups and resources for single moms in Kansas City in Kansas and Missouri. For example, in 2020, they provided 583 single moms and their children with free clothes from their Clothed with Dignity boutique. Also, 10 single mothers completed their trauma healing workshop, and 11 single moms participated in their Victim to Victorious workshop. In addition, they organized 10 virtual support gatherings to encourage single moms to connect with other individuals.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to The Single Mom KC through their website. You can also assist the charity by volunteering or by giving necessities that can help single moms.

Single Parent Advocate: True Hope, Real Hope

Single Parent Advocate was formed in 2010 by Stacie Poythress to support single parents in the US. Today, they are a national organization equipping single parents, including single moms, with resources, practical assistance, emotional support, and social networking to improve their lives and their children’s lives.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Single Parent Advocate has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We are empowering and equipping single parent families to live successful and productive lives.”

Single Parent Advocate

What they do: Single Parent Advocate provides resources and support for single parents, including single mothers. They do this by curating the most relevant resources for single parents to help them improve their lives and support their children. They provide information on after-school programs where single moms can enroll their children while they are at work. They also offer resources to help single mothers acquire better parenting skills. In addition, they offer information about therapists for single moms dealing with mental illness and help single moms facing divorce to find networking groups in their cities.

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, Single Parent Advocate has curated a list of over 50 external resources in different areas, including finance, parenting, education, shelter, and mental health, to help single moms lead better lives. They also run a blog that attracts hundreds of readers monthly, offering relevant tips and information for single parents, including single moms.

Ways to contribute: You can donate to Single Parent Advocate through their website. You can also support the charity by volunteering or attending their fundraising Masquerade Gala in North Texas.

Gingerbread: Single Parents, Equal Families

Gingerbread was established in 1918 by Lettice Fisher to support single mothers and their children following World War I. Today, they are a national charity working with single parents, including single moms, and their families to understand their needs and ensure they are met.

Their impact and transparency ratings: According to their financial report, Gingerbread spends 63% of their total income on charitable activities. 

“We provide expert advice, practical support and campaign for single mums and dads.”

Gingerbread

What they do: Gingerbread provides information to help single mothers and fathers support themselves and their families. They also run an online forum and single-parent groups to help single moms and dads interact with and find encouragement among other single parents. Furthermore, they give single moms and dads a chance to receive expert advice through their online advice webchat and helpline. In addition, they campaign and influence policy to reduce the stigma against single parents and make services more accessible to all families, including single moms.

What they’ve achieved: Since their inception, Gingerbread has educated 800,000 single moms and dads through their website every year. They also assist over 9,000 single moms and dads to address complex financial, emotional, and practical needs through their helpline every year. Additionally, they support 1,000 single parents yearly through their training programs and employment assistance initiatives to prepare them for work.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly to Gingerbread through their website. You can also support them by joining one of their campaigns.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that support single mothers. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Donate a percentage of your online purchases. If you bought anything on sites like Amazon lately, you’d find a prompt asking you to donate to your favorite charities through their Amazon Smile program. You can set this up so that your chosen charities will get a fraction of your online purchases.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to supporting single mothers – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

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• Gingerbread: Scrap the Child Maintenance Service’s (CMS) Collect and Pay Service Fee