Social anxiety is the most common type of anxiety and the third most common mental health disorder. In the US, social anxiety affects 7.1% of adults and 9.1% of teenagers. On average, social anxiety starts between early and late adolescence, putting the youth at higher risk.  Fortunately, there are many charities working to support vulnerable social anxiety sufferers and raise awareness of the illness. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help overcome social anxiety?

The best charities that help overcome social anxiety are the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Rise Above the Disorder, and the National Alliance for Mental Health. Other charities, such as We R H.O.P.E, Game to Grow, and Not MY Kid focus on supporting youth with social anxiety.

Whether you want to make social anxiety support more accessible and affordable, raise awareness of the illness, or help fund research into social anxiety, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help overcome social anxiety 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 Help Overcome Social Anxiety Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements. Most of the charities are US based but some of them operate all over the world. 

Many of the charities listed provide resources and programs that help sufferers overcome social anxiety. While some strive to raise awareness and destigmatize social anxiety. Others focus on using evidence-based research to hopefully find effective treatments. Yet they all share the same goal of helping people overcome social anxiety.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Help Overcome Social Anxiety in 2023

Below are our favorite charities that help overcome social anxiety:

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Bring Change to Mind
• National Alliance on Mental Health
• ToastMasters International
• Game to Grow
• We R H.O.P.E
• Not MY Kid 
• Rise Above the Disorder
• Arise Equine Therapy Foundation

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

Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Triumphing Over Anxiety and Depression 

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) was founded in 1979 by a group of mental health professionals, including Dr. Jerilyn Ross, to raise awareness around phobias and destigmatize them. Today, they have an extensive database and resources to help people overcome anxiety disorders, including social anxiety. 

Their impact and transparency ratings: The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has a 100% Encompass score for finance & accountability from Charity Navigator. The charity also holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Everyone affected by anxiety disorders and depression can obtain the resources that they need to live healthier and more productive lives.”

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

What they do: The Anxiety and Depression Association of America improves the quality of life for those who suffer from anxiety disorders, including social anxiety. They do this by helping people find the necessary resources they need to overcome social anxiety and use evidence-based research to find new treatments. In addition, they provide a diverse and dynamic network for mental health professionals and researchers.

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has provided more than $1 million in funding to over 500 aspiring mental health professionals through their Awards Program. In 2020, ADA mental health professionals hosted over 125 free interactive webinars and their peer-to-peer support communities have accumulated more than 50,000 subscribers. 

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly via the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website. You can also contribute by shopping in one of the online stores. In addition, you are encouraged to share your own personal story of triumphing over social anxiety. 

Bring Change to Mind: Let’s Talk Mental Health

Bring Change to Mind (B2CM) was founded in 2010 by actress Glenn Close and her family, to spark a conversation about mental health. Today, they run campaigns and programs to raise awareness about mental health issues such as social anxiety. 

Their impact and transparency ratings: Bring Change to Mind has a Finance & Accountability Score of 97 from Charity Navigator. The charity also holds a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“To end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.”

Bring Change to Mind

What they do: Bring Change to Mind uses PSA (public service announcement) campaigns and peer-to-peer support groups to destigmatize mental illness. Through their B2CM High School Program the charity creates and develops mental health clubs for people suffering from social anxiety and other mental health illnesses. Bring Change to Mind also launches a PSA campaign every year, to raise awareness of mental health on a national and global level. 

What they’ve achieved: Since their founding, Bring Change to Mind has reached more than 2 billion people through their advocacy efforts.The charity’s PSA campaign of 2018 has been viewed more than 6 billion times across multimedia platforms. Additionally, The B2CM High School Program has more than 5,000 active high school club members across 350 clubs in the US.

Ways to contribute: You can donate through the Bring Change to Mind official website. You can also support the charity by shopping at their official store. 

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Together for Mental Health

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was founded in 1979 by a group of families to seek support and treatment for their loved ones struggling with mental health issues. Today, the National Alliance on Mental Illness has grown into a nationwide alliance that provides awareness, support, and education on different mental illnesses, including social anxiety. 

Their impact and transparency ratings: The National Alliance on Mental Illness holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Providing advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.”

National Alliance on Mental Illness

What they do: The National Alliance on Mental Illness helps people struggling with mental health issues and their families by providing educational programs and support groups. The charity also advocates for public policy issues at a federal level to expand access to mental health and increase funding for research. In addition, the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides resources for anyone who is seeking help to overcome social anxiety. 

What they’ve achieved: Today, the National Alliance on Mental Illness has 600 local affiliates and 49 NAMI State Organizations that work with communities to support their mental health. For example, they launched NAMI Connection, which is a completely free peer support group for people suffering from mental health issues, including those with social anxiety. In 2015, the nonprofit successfully advocated for SAMHSA-funded First Episode Psychosis program funding to be more than doubled to $50 million.

Ways to contribute: You can donate through the National Alliance on Mental Illness website. You can also send your donation by mail. Alternatively, you can support the charity by shopping at their official store. 

ToastMasters International: Gaining Confidence Through Public Speaking

ToastMasters International was founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley to help the men in his community, a youth christian group in Illinois, learn how to speak. Today, ToastMasters International is a worldwide nonprofit organization that helps hundreds of communities and individuals become effective communicators and leaders.

Their impact and transparency ratings: ToastMasters International has a Financial & Accountability score of 100 on Charity Navigator. 

“We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.”

ToastMasters International

What they do: ToastMasters International offers educational programs on public speaking and leadership skills in a small and interactive environment, which can be used for both personal and professional goals. ToastMasters offers the opportunity for their members to choose their own pace by providing 11 specialized learning paths. They also host online meetings, webinars, and speech contests. In addition, the charity has a podcast that features interviews with inspiring Toastmasters. 

What they’ve achieved: Today, ToastMasters International has over 15,800 clubs around the world. They provide a valuable social environment to a total of 300,000 members in 149 countries, including those with social anxiety. In 2021, ToastMasters International helped 500 companies run active clubs to develop their employee’s soft skills. 

Ways to contribute: You can donate to the Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund on the ToastMasters International website. You can also make your donation in honor of someone else.

Game to Grow: Intentional Gaming to Improve Lives

Game to Grow was founded in 2017 by Adam Davis and Adam Johns to use gaming as a method to help improve the lives of youth struggling with social anxiety and other mental health issues. Today, they provide training programs for their method to therapists and mental health professionals.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Game to Grow holds a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“While playing games in a safe, supportive, and fun environment, participants are guided to build meaningful friendships and develop the social confidence to flourish socially on their own terms”

Game to Grow

What they do: Game to Grow provides gaming groups for educational and therapeutic purposes. Their unique approach is known as the Game to Grow Method of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games that implements the therapeutic aspects of role playing games.They also provide training programs for their game-based method to other professionals. Game to Grow aims to promote awareness of the benefits and potential of intentional gaming around the world.

What they’ve achieved: Today, Game to Grow serves around 40 youth groups a week, including those with social anxiety, and has trained more than 100 mental health professionals since their founding. Game to Grow has also launched Critical Core, a tabletop role-playing game that aims to strengthen the core capacities of regulation, collaboration, planning, perspective, and pretend play, for youth suffering from mental illness. 

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly through the official Game to Grow website. You can also support the charity by shopping on AmazonSmile. Additionally, you can raise money for Game to Grow by streaming with Team Sprocket. You can even apply to volunteer as staff for the charity when they attend conventions.

We R H.O.P.E: Preparing the People of Today for the Anxieties of Tomorrow

We R H.O.P.E was founded in 2018 by Sean Perry and James Reinstein to make mental health support accessible and affordable. Today, the charity provides individualized mental health support for both students and individuals, including those with social anxiety. 

Their impact and transparency ratings: We R H.O.P.E holds a Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. The charity also has a Leadership & Adaptability Score of 100 from Charity Navigator.

“We are dedicated to bringing education, normalization, and a message of hope to those who are struggling with mental health issues by providing affordable and accessible individualized support.”

We R H.O.P.E

What they do: We R H.O.P.E provides programs and services that help people with their anxieties, such as their Summit Wilderness Therapy courses. The charity offers school-based individual coaching services that provide students with free mental health services. They also provide private personal coachings services for individuals at an affordable rate.

What they’ve achieved: Today, We R H.O.P.E provides mental health services at no cost for students across 12 schools around the country. The charity organizes the Upper Valley Youth Wellness Retreat yearly, a summer camp that mixes traditional fun camp activities with anxiety education. Since their founding, they have spoken at more than 15 events related to mental health, mainly in colleges, around the country.

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly via the official We R H.O.P.E website. You can also help fund their new project of opening a residential treatment center. 

Not MY Kid: Inspiring Positive Life Choices

Not MY Kid was founded in 1999 by Steve and Debbie Moak to help youth with their mental health struggles, after they lost their own son to substance abuse. Today, Not MY Kid provides high-impact prevention education and early intervention programs to help youth overcome the challenges they face, including social anxiety.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Not MY Kid holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. They also have a Culture & Community Score of 95 from Charity Navigator.

“Educate youth and adults on where to go and how to ask for help if they or someone they know is struggling with a mental or behavioral health issue.”

Not MY Kid

What they do: Not MY Kid provides resources and programs to help identify and prevent issues that negatively impact the youth. One of their programs, the [i]nspired Peer Program provides support for teens and young adults struggling with mental health issues in their daily lives.The nonprofit also has a podcast that features discussions with mental health experts and personal stories with individuals. In addition, Not MY Kid offers two preventive programs for grades 5-12 at schools. 

What they’ve achieved: Not MY Kid reaches over 100,000 youths and adults each year. The charity has also built a therapeutic wellness campus, the Well, that serves youth and their families struggling with mental illness, including social anxiety. 

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly via the official Not MY Kid website. You can also choose to fund one of their programs, such as Project REWIND or the [i]NSPIRED Peer Program.

Rise Above the Disorder: You Deserve to Feel Well

Raise Above the Disorder was founded in 2012 by Jason Docton to help just one person that was struggling with their mental health. Today, Rise Above the Disorder has a global outreach and helps others access mental health care, including those with social anxiety.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Rise Above the Disorder holds a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“People can heal. The system can change. Mental health care is for everyone.”

Rise Above the Disorder

What they do: Rise Above the Disorder offers the RAD program that helps pair people with a therapist to start their healing journey. Through their program, Rise Above the Disorder is able to offer this service to anyone worldwide. 

What they’ve achieved: Rise Above the Disorder, through the RAD program, has covered the mental health cost for more than 10,000 people around the world, including those with social anxiety. The costs of the treatments are fully covered by Rise Above the Disorder for each individual. 

Ways to contribute: You can donate directly through the Rise Above the Disorder website. You can also stream for Rise Above the Disorder. You can even contribute by volunteering for the charity.

Arise Equine Therapy Foundation: Equine Assisted Healing

Arise Equine Therapy Foundation was founded in 2015 by Fran Marie Natoli to provide therapeutic equine services to the community. Today, Arise Equine Therapy Foundation helps individuals, families, couples, and groups with sessions of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) that addresses social anxiety.

Their impact and transparency ratings: Arise Equine Therapy Foundation has a Finance & Accountability Score of 95 from Charity Navigator. The charity also holds a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“With equine therapy activities led by a mental health therapist and equine specialist we are able to help guide you to overcome depression, anxiety, grief and hopelessness.”

Arise Equine Therapy Foundation

What they do: Arise Equine therapy Foundation offers Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions to individuals, groups, couples, and families at their 50 acre site. These sessions help to build confidence and assist vulnerable individuals to overcome mental health illnesses, including social anxiety. The charity also runs growth and learning lessons for children tailored to the specific needs of every child. 

What they’ve achieved: Today, Arise Equine Therapy Foundation has a herd of 16 horses and a team of six certified professionals. Their equine specialists hold certifications from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), an organization with a global network that certifies equine specialists and mental health professionals to assist in equine-assisted therapy. 

Ways to contribute: You can directly donate through the Arise Equine Therapy Foundation official website. You can also choose to sponsor a member of the charity’s herd.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that help overcome social anxiety. 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. Familiarise 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 helping overcome social anxiety – 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:

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