By
Alycia O'Dell

In the US alone, about 750,000 pregnancies occur in women under the age of 20 each year. Among low and middle-income countries globally, that number is close to 21 million. Regardless of where they live, young mothers face a host of challenges compared to their older counterparts, including increased risks of homelessness, maternal and infant mortality, and depression. Fortunately, organizations around the world are working to ensure that young mothers have the resources they need to thrive. So, we had to ask: what are the best charities that support young mothers?

The best charities that support young mothers are Teen Parent Connection and Shine Together. Charities like Save the Children and World Vision work to support the needs of young mothers and their children in low and middle-income countries.

Whether you want to support a young mother as she pursues higher education, ensure every mother has access to a continuous supply of clean diapers, or help a new mom enhance her parenting skills, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that support young mothers are all about, how they work, and the best way to donate.

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

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact, transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate primarily throughout the US and Canada, but some support young mothers internationally.

Many of these charities focus on ensuring young mothers have access to concrete resources like diapers, shelter, and food. Others encourage young mothers by coaching them through the early stages of motherhood and offering peer-to-peer support.

Some work to break the cycle of generational poverty by increasing access to higher education and job skills training, while others advocate for policies to decrease the likelihood of adolescent pregnancy in low and middle-income countries.

Yet, they all share a common goal: to support young mothers as they navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Support Young Mothers in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that support young mothers (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

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

Teen Parent Connection: Improving Outcomes for Teen Moms

Teen Parent Connection holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Parenting. Prevention. Empowerment.”

Teen Parent Connection

Teen Parent Connection helps young mothers by providing parenting education, support, and resources. For example, they host weekly Young Parent Groups, where those navigating teen parenthood meet to receive non-judgemental support from their peers. As another example, through their Healthy Families program, young parents receive in-home education and coaching as they navigate the transition to parenthood. Moreover, their Prevention programs offer comprehensive reproductive health education to thousands of middle and high school students each year, delivered in part by a Peer Educator who shares their teen parenting experiences. 

Each Year, Teen Parent Connection impacts thousands of young mothers through their programs. For example, in 2023 alone, their prevention programs engaged 12,164 students, 98% of whom reported gaining the knowledge necessary to prevent teen pregnancy. In the same year, 78 new parents participated in their Healthy Families program, 39 mothers utilized their Doula services, and 158 Young Parent groups met to provide peer support. 

You can donate directly to Teen Parent Connect through their website. You can also contribute to the charity by volunteering or by donating supplies for their Parents’ Pantry.

Shine Together: Education and Opportunity for Young Moms

Shine Together holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Transforming lives, two generations at a time.”

Shine Together

Shine Together supports young mothers by giving them the tools and resources they need to thrive as students and parents. When a pregnant or parenting woman under the age of 25 joins the Shine Together community, they are paired with an advocate who coaches them through early motherhood while also providing resources for success. For example, they ensure the health and wellness of young mothers and their children by connecting them with affordable healthcare options, while also helping them improve their financial well-being through financial literacy classes and providing opportunities for socialization.

Since their founding, Shine Together has empowered thousands of young mothers to break the cycle of generational poverty. In 2023, they supported 232 young moms and their 278 children, and their use of evidence-based programming has contributed to the success of their members. For example, compared to 50% of their peers nationwide, almost 88% of Shine Together participants graduated or were on track to graduate high school. As another example, 61% of program participants pursue postsecondary education, while only 2% of young mothers achieve a college degree by age 30 nationwide.

You can donate to Shine Together via their website. You can also support the organization by volunteering or browsing their blog.

Save the Children: Helping Young Mothers Ensure a Healthy Start

Save the Children holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“All children deserve a healthy start in life.”

Save the Children

Save the Children supports young mothers living in poverty by ensuring their health and the health of their children, enhancing gender equality, and providing educational opportunities. For example, their adolescent sexual and reproductive health programs support married and parenting adolescents to ensure that they and their children receive adequate health and social support. They also fight to ensure girls, especially those in low and middle-income countries, have access to education to maximize opportunities for independence. And, they help vulnerable families increase their resilience during crises and improve long-term food security through their Food Security and Livelihoods Program.

Since their founding, Save the Children has changed the lives of over 1 billion children. For example, in 2022 alone, their programs reached over 118 million children, including young mothers, helping them become healthier, safer, and educated. That same year, their nutrition programs supported 4.6 million mothers and 16 million children around the world, while they contributed to the education of more than 9 million children, over half of whom were girls. Moreover, they have helped reduce child marriage by nearly one-third since 1990, empowering millions of girls around the world to make her own choices regarding education, work, marriage, and motherhood.

You can donate to Save the Children via their website. You can also participate in a fundraiser, volunteer, or sponsor a child.

World Vision: Bringing Health to Children Around the World

Charity Navigator gives World Vision a 4-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Platinum Seal of Transparency. 

“Pulling up the roots of poverty and planting the seeds of change.”

World Vision

World Vision supports young mothers by working with communities, donors, partners, and governments. For example, they give donors explicit opportunities to support young mothers by linking specific funds, like their Career Training for Women fund, and items, like their New Mother and Baby Kit. They also work with policymakers to dismantle policies that perpetuate gender inequality and implement policies that benefit women, like increasing access to education for pregnant girls and young mothers. Furthermore, they support the health of young mothers and their children by promoting healthy nutrition practices and preventing the spread of disease.

Since their founding, World Vision has improved outcomes for millions of women and children around the world. In 2022 alone, more than 66.4 million people were impacted by their lifesaving programs. For example, 18.2 million children and 7.6 million adults benefitted from their health and nutrition programs, and 378,981 pregnant women and caregivers of children under 2 received nutrition and infectious disease counseling. In the same year, they distributed 156,226 metric tons of food to help nourish children and families across 15 countries and helped establish lasting access to clean water for 3 million people.

You can donate to World Vision via their website. You can also support the charity by sponsoring a child.

New Moms: Strengthening Moms to Strengthen Families

New Moms holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We envision a future where every young family thrives.”

New Moms

New Moms utilizes a comprehensive approach to support young mothers. For example, their Housing program provides both transitional and permanent housing in a safe environment, where mothers work with a family coach to set goals for the future. Furthermore, their College Success program supports young mothers pursuing postsecondary education through monthly stipends, childcare support, and coaching. Also, their Family Support program helps young mothers build their parenting skills through services like in-home coaching and support groups. In addition, they offer a paid job training program through their own candle company, Bright Endeavors, where young mothers build their job skills and career readiness.

Since their founding, New Moms has supported thousands of young mothers in Chicago. For example, in 2022, they served 309 mothers and their 386 children on the journey to independence and stability, including providing 40,212 nights of shelter across 74 families and helping 87 young mothers obtain permanent employment. And, they expanded their reach nationwide by launching The Hub @ New Moms, a project to provide their Executive Skills Training and Consulting to human services organizations. To date, they have trained 2,070 practitioners across the US.

You can donate to New Moms via their website. You can also support the organization by volunteering, fundraising, or purchasing branded merchandise or Bright Endeavors products.

Help a Mother Out: Dignity through Diapers

Help a Mother Out holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

“Every baby deserves a clean diaper.” Help a Mother Out

Help a Mother Out supports families in need, including young mothers, by producing and distributing clean diapers to social welfare programs. In 2019, they established their own private-label diaper brand, ELO Baby, to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality diapers in addition to donated diapers. Diapers are distributed through their diaper banks, which supply diapers to social welfare recipients. For example, their San Francisco Diaper Bank is the first and only public diaper assistance program in the US, distributing diapers to eligible families enrolled in CalWORKs and CalFresh. And, they provide one-time diaper grants for disaster relief and organizations that do not have a diaper bank in their area.

Since their inception, Help a Mother Out has distributed over 63 million diapers to families in need, including thousands of young mothers. For example, their San Francisco Diaper Bank alone supports over 2,500 families each year and distributed 2.6 million diapers from 2020 to 2021. As another example, their Bay Area Diaper Bank distributed over 4.3 million diapers in the same year, serving 2,000 children each month. Furthermore, an independent program evaluation conducted in 2022 concluded that 96% of program beneficiaries report that access to clean, new diapers has made their children healthier, while 91% of the families reported having fewer money difficulties due to the charity’s assistance.

You can donate directly to Help a Mother Out through their website. You can also contribute by donating diapers or hosting a diaper drive.

Postpartum Support International: Prioritizing Perinatal Mental Health

Postpartum Support International holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.”

Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International supports the mental health of young mothers by increasing awareness of mental health issues impacting pregnant and postpartum women and providing resources to help. For example, they provide direct support through a variety of online support groups and their Peer Mentorship Program pairs young mothers with women who have recovered from perinatal mood disorders. Moreover, their PSI HelpLine offers basic information, support, and resources around the clock, and their provider directory connects young mothers to qualified mental health professionals in their area. They also advocate for increased research and funding for perinatal mental health.

Since their founding, Postpartum Support International has provided continued support for young mothers suffering from mental health issues. For example, in 2022, 14,692 people participated in their online support groups and their Facebook Support Group now has over 21,000 members. Furthermore, in 2018, they launched the first Perinatal Mental Health Support Certification and have certified more than 3,000 providers in 15 countries to date.

You can donate directly to Postpartum Support International through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming a member, volunteering, or by participating in a Climb Out of the Darkness event.

Second Story: Direction at Critical Turning Points

Second Story holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Helping youth write their second stories.”

Second Story

Second Story supports young mothers through their Second Story for Young Mothers program, which provides housing, counseling, and training to homeless women under the age of 24 who are pregnant or have young children. Their comprehensive approach emphasizes parenting skills, education completion, job readiness, and self-sufficiency to empower young women to break cycles of poverty, abuse, and homelessness. And, although ineligible for housing, young mothers under 18 can still utilize the program to receive free counseling and support, including financial literacy classes, parenting education, and employment groups.

Since their founding, Second Story has guided thousands of youth, including young mothers, through critical turning points in their lives. For example, in 2022, their Second Story for Young Mothers program provided long-term housing for 6 mothers and their 7 children and community support to more than 200 non-residential mothers. Moreover, in the same year, 100% of program participants exited into a safe situation and had medical insurance within 6 months.

You can donate to Second Story via their website. You can also support the organization by helping fulfill immediate needs or fundraising.

March of Dimes: Healthy Moms. Strong Babies.

March of Dimes holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Improving the health of all moms and babies.”

March of Dimes

March of Dimes supports young mothers by providing them with the knowledge and support essential for a healthy pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood. For example, they empower young moms-to-be by offering comprehensive educational resources that cover all stages of pregnancy, from family planning to postpartum. They also partner with like-minded organizations to support initiatives that improve outcomes for young mothers and their infants, like monitoring maternal mental health to reduce repeat teen pregnancies and educating young men about teen pregnancy prevention. Furthermore, they work to improve maternal health equity through advocacy and professional training.

Each Year, March of Dimes supports over 4 million mothers of all ages through their pregnancy journey. For example, in 2022 alone, their consumer education materials reached over 9 million individuals, including 11 webinars about healthy pregnancy that were viewed by more than 330,000 people. In the same year, more than 20,000 healthcare professionals completed their Implicit Bias Training. And, they advocated for 65 bills at the federal level, 18 of which were signed into law to improve health equity across the US.

You can donate directly to March of Dimes through their website. You can also contribute to the charity by joining their March for Babies campaign or by advocating for legislation fostering maternal health.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that support young 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 websites 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. 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.
• 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 young 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

• Wikipedia: Teenage Pregnancy in the US
• World Health Organization: Adolescent Pregnancy
• The Annie E Casey Foundation: Youth Homelessness
• Advocates for Youth: Adolescent Maternal Mortality
• Healthline: Mental Health and Adolescent Pregnancy
• Teen Parent Connection: Home
• Charity Navigator: Teen Parent Connection
• GuideStar: Teen Parent Connection
• Teen Parent Connection: Group Services
• Teen Parent Connection: Healthy Families
• Teen Parent Connection: Prevention Programs
• Teen Parent Connection: 2023 Annual Report
• Teen Parent Connection: Doula
• Teen Parent Connection: Donate
• Teen Parent Connection: Volunteer
• Teen Parent Connection: In-Kind Gifts
• Teen Parent Connection: Parents Pantry
• Shine Together: Home
• Shine Together: About Us
• Charity Navigator: Shine Together
• GuideStar: Shine Together
• Shine Together: Moms
• Shine Together: Impact
• Shine Together: Celebrating 10 Years of Empowerment
• Shine Together: 2023 Annual Report
• Shine Together: Donate
• Shine Together: Volunteer
• Shine Together: Blog
• Save the Children: Home
• Save the Children: About Us
• Charity Navigator: Save the Children
• GuideStar: Save the Children
• Save the Children: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Save the Children: Girls Education
• Save the Children: Food Security
• Save the Children: 2022 Annual Report
• Save the Children: Donate
• Save the Children: Fundraise
• Save the Children: Volunteer
• Save the Children: Sponsor a Child
• World Vision: Home
• World Vision: Our History
• Charity Navigator: World Vision
• GuideStar: World Vision
• World Vision: Career Training for Girls and Women
• World Vision: Give a Mother Baby Kit
• World Vision: Breaking the Bias
• World Vision: Health
• World Vision: 2022 Annual Report
• World Vision: Health
• World Vision: Donate
• World Vision: Sponsor a Child
• New Moms: Home
• Charity Navigator: New Moms
• GuideStar: New Moms
• New Moms: Programs
• New Moms: College Success
• New Moms: Family Support
• New Moms: Job Training
• Bright Endeavors: Home
• New Moms: The Hub 
• New Moms: 2023 Annual Report
• New Moms: Executive Skills Approach
• New Moms: Donate
• New Moms: Volunteer
• New Moms: Fundraise
• New Moms: Merchandise
• Help a Mother Out: Home
• Charity Navigator: Help a Mother Out
• ELO Baby: Home
• Help a Mother Out: Programs
• San Francisco Diaper Bank: Home
• California Department of Social Services: CalWORKs
• California Department of Social Services: CalFresh
• Help a Mother Out: 2022 Independent Program Review
• Help a Mother Out: Impact
• Help a Mother Out: Donate
• Help a Mother Out: Diaper Drop-off
• Help a Mother Out: Diaper Drive Toolkit
• Postpartum Support International: Home
• Charity Navigator: Postpartum Support International
• GuideStar: Postpartum Support International
• Postpartum Support International: Online Support Meetings
• Postpartum Support International: Peer Mentor Program
• Postpartum Support International: PSI Helpline
• Postpartum Support International: Provider Directory
• Postpartum Support International: Advocacy
• Postpartum Support International: 2022 Annual Report
• Postpartum Support International: Certification
• Postpartum Support International: Donate
• Postpartum Support International: Become a Member
• Postpartum Support International: Volunteer
• Postpartum Support International: Climb Out of the Darkness
• Second Story: Home
• Second Story: History
• Charity Navigator: Second Story
• GuideStar: Second Story
• Second Story: Young Mothers
• Second Story: 2022 Annual Report
• Second Story: Donate
• Second Story: Immediate Needs
• Second Story: Fundraise
• March of Dimes: Home
• March of Dimes: History
• March of Dimes: Who We Are
• GuideStar: March of Dimes
• March of Dimes: Find Support
• CBS News: MoD and CHOP
• March of Dimes: Project Alpha
• March of Dimes: Implicit Bias Training
• March of Dimes: Accomplishments 2022
• March of Dimes: Donate
• March of Dimes: March for Babies
• March of Dimes: Advocate