9 Best Charities That Fight to Prevent Gun Violence (Complete 2024 List)

9 Best Charities That Fight to Prevent Gun Violence (Complete 2024 List)

By
Eli Boles

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Gun violence in America is at an all-time high. As such, the need for meaningful gun reform has never been higher either, and many different organizations have joined the fight for a future with fewer gun deaths and mass shootings. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight to prevent gun violence?

The best charities for preventing gun violence are Sandy Hook Promise, Giffords, and Everytown for Gun Safety. Other charities like Victims First help support the victims of gun violence, and the Robby Poblete Foundation helps take guns out of circulation.

Whether you want to support new gun prevention legislation, gun violence education, or help the victims of gun violence, there is a charity for you. But, choosing a charity with impactful and lasting goals and missions is essential. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that fight to prevent gun violence 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 Fight to Prevent Gun Violence Have in Common

The charities on this list all work with local communities and governmental organizations to prevent gun violence and to heal communities damaged by it.

Many of their efforts develop continually with new goals and initiatives year after year. 

While their projects may be based in different locations across the US, from the suburbs of Southern California to the steps of the Capitol in D.C., they all work towards a common goal: to make a more peaceful future by eliminating gun violence through advocacy and activism.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Fight to Prevent Gun Violence in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that fight to prevent gun violence (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.)

1

Sandy Hook Promise: Preventing Gun Violence Before it Happens

Logo for Sandy Hook
Make the Promise  | Sandy Hook Promise

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Their transparency & ratings:

Sandy Hook Promise have a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, including a 100% transparency rating. They also have a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, their highest ranking.

“Know the Signs. Save Lives.”

Sandy Hook Promise

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What they do:

Sandy Hook Promise offers training and resources (collectively known as their Know the Signs programs) to help students and teachers recognize the warning signs of potential violence and intervene before a shooting occurs. For example, their Start With Hello program teaches students empathy and empowers them to end social isolation. Their Say Something program trains students to look for warning signs and threats, knowing that most attackers tell people of their plans ahead of time. And their SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Club are youth-led organizations that encourage young people to take charge of keeping their friends, schools, and communities safe.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their inception, Sandy Hook Promise have reached over 23,000 schools nationwide, with more than 18.5 million participants. More importantly, they prevented 14 planned school shootings, saved 406 lives with crisis intervention, prevented 105 acts of violence with a weapon, and received 171,000 tips that were anonymously reported. In addition, in 2018, they helped pass the STOP School Violence Act.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Sandy Hook Promise via their website. You can also support them by making a purchase from their online clothing store, hosting your own local fundraiser, or becoming a volunteer, called a Promise Leader.

2

Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence

Logo for Giffords
Decade of Impact: Celebrating Giffords’ 10-Year Anniversary

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Their transparency & ratings:

The legislative-action branch of Giffords, the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, has a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, with a 100% transparency rating. 

“We’re on a mission to save lives from gun violence.”

Giffords

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What they do:

Giffords’ primary activities include voter education, organizing marches and rallies, and fighting the gun lobby’s influence in Congress. For example, they implement community violence intervention (CVI) programs that connect people in crisis with local resources and to empower community peacemakers. The charity also operates their Action Network which notifies members of local events and allows those affected by gun violence to share their stories. Regarding legal activity, they file lawsuits directly against gun-lobby groups such as the NRA, as well as amicus briefs nationwide in support of public safety measures. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their inception, Giffords have helped pass gun safety laws in 48 states. Most notably, they successfully flipped the Virginia General Assembly in 2019, resulting in a state assembly that passed 7 landmark gun-safety bills and established a nearly $3 million fund for violence intervention programs. In Congress and the courts, they have supported the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, and successfully filed to force the Federal Election Commission to investigate NRA for violating campaign finance laws. And, in 2021, the charity organized the Gun Violence Memorial display across multiple cities to honor victims of gun violence. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Giffords via their website. You can also volunteer to join their Action Network and you can vote for pro-gun control leaders if you are eligible to vote in your state. 

3

Everytown for Gun Safety: Reducing Gun Violence in America

Logo for Everytown for Gun Safety
We fight until we win.

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Their transparency & ratings:

Everytown for Gun Safety holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator with an 85% transparency rating. They also hold a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar.

“We have a plan to reduce gun violence.”

Everytown for Gun Safety

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What they do:

Everytown for Gun Safety conducts primary research in order to develop evidence-based policy solutions to advocate both in communities and to lawmakers. They communicate this information through events and rallies nationwide hosted by their associated groups Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action. They also operate Everytown Law, which represents survivors of gun violence and challenges dangerous gun laws at the state and federal levels. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, Everytown for Gun Safety has produced many studies into gun violence, run successful campaigns across various states, and won major legal battles. One such campaign is Be SMART, which focuses on safe gun storage and has reached over 2 million students. Their independent studies have been featured in accredited outlets such as CNN and The Hill. For example, in 2023, their efforts resulted in the overturning of a dangerous Missouri gun law that inhibited federal law enforcement, and also in Michigan passing multiple gun safety bills for safe storage and increased background checks.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Everytown for Gun Safety via their website. Other ways to help include joining a local chapter of Moms/Students Demand Action, or joining the Gun Sense Action Network to place calls directly to potential voters and volunteers.

4

Brady: Take Action, Not Sides

Logo for Brady
Brady: United Against Gun Violence

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Their transparency & ratings:

Brady holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar

“Brady. More than a name, it’s a movement.”

Brady

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What they do:

Brady works towards a comprehensive approach that aims to address every aspect of gun violence. For example, they operate the Brady Legal Alliance, offering pro bono legal services to fight gun makers and aid victims of gun violence in their legal battles. They also seek to decrease gun violence in the home through their End Family Fire program, which educates families on safely securing firearms. Finally, the charity manages the Gun Transparency Project, which is a public database of gun store inspection reports exposing dealers that have been flagged by the ATF for previous infractions but continue to do business. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their inception, Brady has filed over 250 lawsuits in 40 states on behalf of victims of gun violence resulting in over $50 million in verdicts and settlements. For example, in 2022, they litigated 25 cases in favor of gun violence victims, reviewed 2,813 gun dealer reports, and helped pass over 30 new gun violence prevention laws.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Brady via their website. And you can join a local Brady Chapter to work in your community.

5

March for Our Lives: Not One More 

Logo for March for Our Lives
Thoughts and Prayers...

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Their transparency & ratings:

March for Our Lives holds a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Born out of a tragic school shooting, March for Our Lives is a courageous youth-led movement dedicated to promoting civic engagement, education, and direct action by youth to eliminate the epidemic of gun violence.”

March for Our Lives

⚒️

What they do:

March for Our Lives is primarily focused on grassroots organizing efforts to motivate young people to speak out via protest and their right to vote. These efforts come in the form of organized marches to draw the national spotlight on gun violence as they did in their inception, and they also draft petitions and send letters to Congress demanding policy changes to reduce gun violence nationwide. They continue to encourage young people to mobilize their peers to vote via text and phone banks

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What they’ve achieved:

Since being created, March for Our Lives has demonstrated in over 400 cities, grabbing the nation’s attention with marches and public displays. For example, in 2022, they created the Thoughts and Prayers Body Bag Art Installation. Again in 2022, they marched in D.C. with over 70,000 people in attendance, and a further 400+ sister rallies in other cities nationwide. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to March for Our Lives via their website. You can also volunteer to work with a local chapter.

6

Victims First: Dedicated to Helping Victims of Mass Casualty Crime

Logo for Victims First
An URGENT Message from Families and Survivors of Mass Shootings

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Their transparency & ratings:

Victims First holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, their highest rating.

“100% of what is donated to the National Mass Shooting Victims’ Fund goes directly to mass shooting victims/survivors.”

Victims First

⚒️

What they do:

Victims First’s main goals are to educate communities and elected officials on best practices to aid survivors of a mass casualty event, and to raise funds that go directly to survivors. 100% of funds donated to their National Mass Shooting Victims’ Fund go directly to survivors of gun violence, unlike many community nonprofits around the country.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, Victims First successfully established funds that sent 100% of contributions directly to victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. They have also established the National Compassion Fund which quickly establishes 100% transparent victims’ funds wherever tragedy strikes. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Victims First via their website. You can also spread the word about their important work on social media using their designated hashtags.

7

Robby Poblete Foundation: Be the Change

Logo for Robby Poblete Foundation
Robby Poblete Foundation Introduction

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Their transparency & ratings:

The Robby Poblete Foundation holds a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“By turning in unwanted guns, people can prevent those firearms from being stolen and used for crime, or being accidentally used by a child in the home.”

Robby Poblete Foundation

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What they do:

The Robby Poblete Foundation is primarily focused on removing unwanted firearms from circulation and repurposing their metal for thought-provoking art commissions. They host gun buy-back events where firearm owners are financially incentivized to turn in old or unwanted firearms to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Their art commissions are produced through the Art of Peace program by local artists.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since being established, the Robby Poblete Foundation has bought back over 1,350 guns across 5 gun buyback locations in 2 states. They have also expanded their work to include the Work in Progress program that has provided apprenticeship scholarships in skilled trades for many young people and formerly incarcerated individuals who are attempting to reintegrate. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to the Robby Poblete Foundation via their website. You can also contact the foundation to bring a gun buyback event to your community!

8

Guns Down America: Building a Future With Fewer Guns

Logo for Guns Down America
Guns Down America Thanks You for 5 Years!

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Their transparency & ratings:

Guns Down America holds a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Filling a void in the gun violence prevention movement.”

Guns Down America

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What they do:

Guns Down America primarily focuses on pushing corporations and elected officials to do their part in ending gun violence. They do this by striving to convince elected officials to pass gun law reforms. Their current programs include compiling letters to send to major credit card companies that have been slow to adopt changes, as well as compiling letters to the Attorney General to repeal the gun industry’s immunity to liability claims. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, Guns Down America has been successful in pressuring major corporations such as Walmart and FedEx to enact policies that help prevent gun violence, and along with Business Must Act, they have convinced Subway to ban open carry in their stores.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Guns Down America via their website. You can also make a purchase from their online store.

9

Survivors Empowered: Your Soft Place to Land

Logo for Survivors Empowered
California couple a step closer to having gun law named after their daughter killed in mass shooting

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Their transparency & ratings:

Survivors Empowered holds a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We are your soft place to land after your life has been forever changed by gun violence.”

Survivors Empowered

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What they do:

Survivors Empowered connects survivors of gun violence with support services such as trauma therapy and mindfulness classes. Significantly, their programs are made up of other survivors of gun violence who understand the unique needs of those with trauma. They also operate their Rapid Response Team which seeks to help individuals immediately following a mass shooting. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their inception, Survivors Empowered has strived to be a resource for victims of gun violence. For example, in 2022, they partnered with Giffords to create the free Survivor’s Toolkit, which, in their own words, is “meant to guide survivors of gun violence through the pain of the first few weeks following a shooting.” They have also published the Voices of Survivors podcast which interviews survivors of gun violence to discuss their experiences. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Survivors Empowered via their website. You can also make a purchase from their online store.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that fight to prevent gun violence. 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. 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 fighting to prevent gun violence – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

Illustration of a signature for Eli

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:

The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan Pallotta

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