An estimated 43% of working-age adults are underinsured, meaning that they may be unable to afford unexpected significant or long-term medical expenses. In addition to the financial strain of doctor visits, many families struggle to pay for ancillary services, like travel expenses or rehabilitative services. Fortunately, organizations around the world are working to help people finance the medical attention they need. So we had to ask: What are the best charities for helping with medical bills?

Books are powerful. They can inspire people to action, move people to tears, and revitalize communities. However, approximately 1 in every 5 children have insufficient access to reading material, while others have unwanted books piled up in their homes. Donating your books can be a great way to declutter, recycle, and help more people access reading material. Many charities collect and distribute books to underserved communities at home and abroad. So we had to ask: What are the best charities to donate your books to?

In the US, over half a million Black or African American babies are born every year, accounting for about 15% of all children, African-American youth face unique challenges like systemic racism, healthcare and educational inequities, and disproportionate rates of economic insecurity throughout their childhoods. Fortunately, organizations across the US are working to improve the quality of life for African American children to help them thrive. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities for African American Youth?

Ethics encompass the moral principles that govern a person’s behavior. Basically, they determine the concepts of right and wrong. Yet, around the world, people are still subjected to discrimination, violence, economic disadvantages, and a lack of choice. Fortunately, many charities are dedicated to improving equality and ethics to ensure that every person is able to feel free and make decisions about their own lives. So, we had to ask: what are the best charities that advance ethics worldwide?

Calls for police reform in America are more prevalent than ever. Movements such as Black Lives Matter and prison abolition have forced communities all across America to take a critical look at whether their police officers are working for their community or against it. Through evidence-based policy reforms, policing in America can become the force for good it was intended to be, but the concerted effort of committed non-profits is necessary to generate the needed change. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight for police reforms?

In the US alone, over 19 million people suffer from some sort of addiction. People with addiction use substances or repeatedly engage in compulsive behaviors, despite harmful consequences. Reaching out for help can be challenging due to stigma, guilt, and shame. Fortunately, many charities are working to combat the stigma and provide help for everyone affected by addiction. So we had to ask: What are the best charities helping to overcome addiction?

Police brutality not only destroys lives but also erodes trust in law enforcement. An estimated 250,000 Americans are injured by law enforcement annually, and over 600 people are killed. Despite several high-profile cases of police brutality, change has been slow to fix the system that enables excessive force and shields officers suspected of abuse. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that combat police brutality?

Mass incarceration unnecessarily deprives people of their freedom and results in enormous social and economic costs for individuals, families, and governments. For example, the American system of mass incarceration costs taxpayers at least $182 billion annually. As a result, nonprofit organizations are working to promote criminal justice reforms in the US and worldwide. So we had to ask: What are the best charities fighting to end mass incarceration?

From obesity prevention to improved socialization, the benefits of sports participation are plentiful and critically important to people of all ages. Engaging in sports has been linked to improved focus, decreased anxiety and depression, and increased confidence. Yet for some athletes, like those with disabilities or those from low-income families, sports are inaccessible. Fortunately, organizations around the world are dedicated to ensuring everyone has a chance to play. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that promote sports?

Youth participation in sports has been shown to improve physical and mental health. For example, it has been linked to improved academic performance, decreased anxiety and depression, and increased confidence. Yet for some kids, like those with disabilities or those from low-income families, sports are inaccessible. Fortunately, organizations around the world are dedicated to ensuring all children are given the same opportunities in sport. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that promote youth sports?

Around the world, women and girls face a host of barriers to healthcare, despite being more likely to suffer from certain medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, in some societies, strict adherence to gender-based social norms contributes to decreased access to quality health and reproductive care, and increased risk of physical, sexual, and emotional violence. Fortunately, charities are working to eliminate gender-based disparities in healthcare. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight for women’s health?

Black people comprise 12% of the US population but they only hold 3.2% of senior leadership roles at large companies, with a disproportionate number being in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion positions. As a result, nonprofit organizations are striving to eliminate systemic racism and provide access to equal opportunities for all. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight systemic racism?

There are now over 8 billion people on the planet, with an increase of 1 billion taking place between 2011 and 2022 alone. Furthermore, wild animal populations have declined by two-thirds in the time that the human population has doubled. This exponential growth has put a strain on natural resources and is caused by a variety of factors, particularly a lack of access to contraception and sexual reproductive education. Fortunately, many charities around the world are now trying to tackle this problem head-on. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities for population control?

The rates of post-traumatic stress and depression in firefighters is found to be as much as five times higher than the general public. Moreover, studies have found that the rate of suicide in firefighters is double that of the rest of the population. Fortunately, many charities offer important emotional, financial, and mental support, as well as educational resources to firefighters and their families. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that support firefighters?

In 2021, over 48,000 Americans were killed by gun violence—this was an increase of 23% since 2019. This trend is likely to continue if nothing is done about it. Despite the passing of a bipartisan gun safety law in 2022, the momentum for gun safety has stalled. The need for charitable organizations to fight for gun safety is greater than ever. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight for gun safety?